After years of delays and scraps, I can honestly say I'm glad Rihanna took her time. The dismissal of the previous three tracks is a bit disappointing, but the argument could be made that if they were still there - they wouldn't "fit" - but neither do some of the songs that replaced them. She takes some chances. Some pay off big time (a beautiful cover of one of my favorite bands Tame Impala), others don't (the almost painful Higher), yet you can hear a sense of relief, and excitement, in her. This may not be a perfect album - there aren't many of those - but this is an encouraging effort that only makes me wonder, where will this Bajan beauty go next?
Consideration ft. SZA - chill mood with great lyrics and vocal delivery. Their voices compliment one another very well. Rih singing "Give him no peace" is heavenly. 10/10
James Joint - otherworldly and melancholy. Bittersweet in the best way. Takes me back to my childhood in a dreamlike fashion that I really appreciate. Perfect! 10/10
Kiss It Better - a nod to love ballads of the late 80's. Great chorus, vocal delivery, and production. 9/10
Work ft. Drake - the vibe is so perfect and palpable. So much fun to sing along to. Drake and Rih have great chemistry and even though he doesn't really push himself as much as she does, it still works. 9/10
Desperado - her voice is the best thing about the song. It's very reminiscent of past songs she's done. Would've been right at home on Rated R. Doesn't really go anywhere. 6/10
Woo - grungy in the best way. Sounds almost incomplete with the purposeful distortions. 7.5/10
Needed Me - the chorus is infectious and enjoyable to sing along to. Her delivery throughout the song is perfect. 8/10
Yeah. I Said It - lovely. Her vocals are so effortless and pure. 9/10
Same Ol' Mistakes - on another level. All I get are images of the 90's and people loving being alive. So ethereal and unexpected. She and Tame Impala can possibly do something great in the future. 10/10
Never Ending - Beautiful. Potential to be used for Film and TV for years to come possibly. 9/10
Love on the Brain - Geez! Can little Bey get some praise!? This is a song that you would find on one of her albums and with such a similar vocal delivery! Rihanna takes on such a funky persona, and it works. 8/10
Higher - I really hope she doesn't sing this too much live. I understand what she trying to do here, but it seems too forced. Another song that would fit perfectly, and be delivered without overdoing it, on an album with someone who can emote in such a fashion without it seeming so overdone. 5.5/10
Close To You pretty piano ballad. Reminds me of the sad songs played during reflective moments in films. 8/10
Goodnight Gotham - Schizophrenic, eerie, and effective. 7.5/10
Pose - A certified BOP. If she releases this, it's going to blow up. This album's ***Flawless. I can already see epic remixes with some great additions. Perfect. 10/10
Sex With Me - an enjoyable tongue-in-cheek sex anthem. The lyrics, and her delivery of them, are blush inducing. 8/10
I could've gone deeper into my thoughts of each song, but I wrote the first things that came to mind instead. I didn't want this to be some extra long review.
8.0
