[RihRihGirrrl]

Originally posted by SaneBeyhannaStan

Well judging from her past reviews Billboard is usually always on her side, SO is Rolling Stone,a dn Entertainment Weekly. And there has been criticism leveled at Rihanna for not going "deep enough" with her music. We do have some songs with Depth from what we've gotten so far. Critics already liked FFS. AO has substance event though reviews have been mixed. BBHMM proves that Rihanna hasn't gone completely "boring' and political on us. JJ is a mellow interlude but has a typical Rihanna flare. I think A Night and Kiss It Better will be praised for being the pop experimental tracks. And Higher is Rihanna experimenting with Pop Soul and she sounds liberated on it, so I can't see how this album will be rated LOWER than Unapologetic when all signs point to

Rihanna has once again expanded her pop sound

Her voice sounds GREAT here

And she's seemed to have grown up and is taking her craft more seriously.

I think pitchfork will give her a favorable review...they seem to like everything so far. Billboard may give her a lower score....they've already said a couple shady things thus far. Slate may give her a better score, they like both FFS and JJ not so much AO. Slant dragged AO so they may give her a bad review as usual. I think both RS and Entertainment Weekly will give her favorable scores. I think the album will get a better score than UA simply because there's no Chris Brown on the album lol also I think it'll be more cohesive so she'll get points for that. I just don't have an confidence that the critics will give the album a deserving score.....we'll see

[SaneBeyhannaStan]

I mean even if Critics don't respond well that's Ok imo. They will never truly be satisfied and Rihanna has always had Mixed to Positive reviews apart from Loud, GGGB and Rated R. They usually never give her universal praise but I think it's just the type of Artist she is. She never commits fully to one sound which Critics tend to not like and seem to think of as lacking Cohesion.

[RihRihGirrrl]

Originally posted by SaneBeyhannaStan

After Unapologetic I was hoping We'd get some Pop Rock, Folk Pop, maybe a R&B and Rock leaning song, and then some super experimental Electronic songs,and no lie she's given us that from what the snippets we have heard.

I know people hate AO but I think the message is GREAT and it's why we love Rih so much.She's a girl who came from Humble beginnings. She left her country at a young age with hopes of Making it big in a country where she thought it'd be endless possibilities. She has found success but it has come at great cost. The CB thing, Battling exhaustion, nearly being broke, critics CONSTANTLY questioning her artistry and voice, all the while trying to find herself as a woman and singer and remain sane. She's accomplished more than I ever thought she would and that is why I can stand behind Rihanna. She lives her truth and she's not sorry for it. Only recently has she began to use her power in the industry to do more(Diamond Ball, HOME, fragrances, her endless philanthropy efforts) and she now seems interested in talking about REAL issues instead dumbing herself down just for the sake of success due to Mindless Pop music.

This era has made me so proud of her already.

Oh I love the concept of AO and I even love the chorus (I think it's one of her strongest yet) and her voice sounds amazing but the production is what really kills it for me. It really ruins what could have and should have been an amazing song

[RihRihGirrrl]

Originally posted by SaneBeyhannaStan

I mean even if Critics don't respond well that's Ok imo. They will never truly be satisfied and Rihanna has always had Mixed to Positive reviews apart from Loud, GGGB and Rated R. They usually never give her universal praise but I think it's just the type of Artist she is. She never commits fully to one sound which Critics tend to not like and seem to think of as lacking Cohesion.

Oh most definitely! If I love the album, I could care less what critics think lol

[SaneBeyhannaStan]

Originally posted by RihRihGirrrl

Oh I love the concept of AO and I even love the chorus (I think it's one of her strongest yet) and her voice sounds amazing but the production is what really kills it for me. It really ruins what could have and should have been an amazing song

AO is one of her most experimental songs of her career. i know she likes to challenge herself so I try to keep that in mind when I hear a song of hers for the first time. I didn't like AO much when it came out, and It's not really my favorite song of all time but I appreciate the concept message, and it's listenable. It kinda puts me in a certain mood which I like.

[RihRihGirrrl]

Originally posted by SaneBeyhannaStan

AO is one of her most experimental songs of her career. i know she likes to challenge herself so I try to keep that in mind when I hear a song of hers for the first time. I didn't like AO much when it came out, and It's not really my favorite song of all time but I appreciate the concept message, and it's listenable. It kinda puts me in a certain mood which I like.

I get that and i've warmed up to the song. I think it's much easier to digest when is's being accompanied with the video...LOVE the video

[SaneBeyhannaStan]

I didn't think Rih would give a video on the level of AO after Diamonds, and WFL I was so wrong

[RihRihGirrrl]

Her best videos are those with a messeage....WFL/Man Down/AO

[istan4badgalriri]

Lol Rihanna wouldn't have released AO as a single now if the plan was to pay it dust. That song is important to her she said it herself.

It's unfair to compare its sales or/and radio performance with FFS & BBHMM cause it didn't have a radio deal, wasn't promoted / featured on iTunes, wasn't performed on a big platform & suffered from the Tidal exclusivity. A lot of people don't even know it exists yet so SNL is the exposure it needs.

Anyway do y'all think there's still a chance for Rih to perform at the BBMAs (May 17th)?

[RihRihGirrrl]

I just don't think performing AO is gonna help the album sale (if in fact the album is being relessed in May). In my opinion, it would be better for her to perform BBHMM and a new song. Not if the album isn't coming anytime soon, then sure perform AO and BBHMM.

If she's releasing in May, she better be on that BBMAs stage!

[Indigo Blue]

She has no choice but to perform @BBMA.

[RihRihGirrrl]

So what do you guys think....is James Joint an interlude for Higher, Kiss It Better or a new song?

[seismicity]

Did you guys see Missy's tweet about James Joint?

@MissyElliott
Love that @rihanna "James Joint" straight 🔥



Anyway, I think Rih should def perform FFS and AO. or FFS and a new song. or FFS, James Joint+ New Song mash up.

In any case, she should def perform FFS.

[keerbyriri]

I need the BBHMM music video in my life right now

[BajanBeauty]

Higher. Listen to James joint first then place the higher snippets , they flow imo

[RihRihGirrrl]

Originally posted by BajanBeauty

Higher. Listen to James joint first then place the higher snippets , they flow imo

Yes!! I'm hoping it segues into Higher but I also think it could flow with Kiss It Better

[Matangi]

I am also so damn ready for the BBHMM video. She better not ruin it

Anyway I think due to the lack of performances (yet) she needs to perform the 3 singles on SNL and nothing new.

[SaneBeyhannaStan]

Rih should've performed at the Brits WW stats would be much better than they already are right now.

[WeFoundWill]

James Joint followed by Higher, FourFiveSeconds and the Sam Smith song would flow perfectly.

[WeFoundWill]

they should upload the behind the scenes later on today and the actual video on monday.