In the off chance that you're ANTi-social and haven't heard yet; Rihanna has finally dropped her 8th Studio album 'Anti'. The hype and ANTicipation has been intensified thanks to premature marketing campaigns coupled with a massively delayed release (which was reportedly meant to be even later were it not accidentally leaked on music streaming site/epic fail 'Tidal'). I wouldn't go as far as saying I'm anti 'Anti' but Riri certainly hasn't upped the ante with this release.
Released free to Samsung customers as well as on Tidal a week earlier than the other sites (obvs because Ri has a stake in the company and they're still trying to make it happen, despite the fact it's clearly not fetch) this album has, IMO, just fallen short of expectation.
Surprisingly, it doesn't feature any of the massive singles she released prior, including 'Fourfive Seconds' and 'Bitch Better Have My Money'; which could have delivered the kick the record sorely needed.
The first single, 'Work' featuring Drake is arguably the worst track on the album and features a shit load of inaudible, slurred words (I use the term 'words' very loosely) and has been summed up perfectly by one Mitch Feltscheer of Twitter who had this to say:
It wasn't until the third listen to 'Work' that I managed to piece together a line about tables turning or something but realised that this drivel is actually quite catchy while also perfect for those people that kind of just mumble sounds that vaguely resemble words and claim to know all the lyrics (we all know at least one mate that does this). After several more listens I'm still not convinced they are all words! If it seems familiar to you, it's because you've heard it here previously:
The album is very slow paced but there are a few standout tracks, especially the closing track 'Close To You'. Backed only by a piano, this is the closest she comes to showing off those pipes she is famous for.
She also covers the current 'it' band & Aussie export TAME IMPALA on 'Same Ol' Mistakes' or 'New Person, Same Old Mistakes' as it's originally titled and she absolutely nails it. It is arguably better than the original. Then again I am biased toward anyone that isn't Lame Impala (please don't kill me!).
Don't get me wrong, I loved Bad Girl Riri, and even good girl Riri, but she's missing her key draw cards, which are catchy-as, fast paced tracks or ballads that you can sing along to in the car with the windows up, desperately hoping you haven't pocket dialled someone and given them viral ammo.
Having seen her live & witnessed what her voice can do, it's disappointing to hear so much use of auto tune. Why are the talented kids increasingly doing this?
If this is the new (Tidal) wave of music then I guess I'm no longer with "it" and Abe Simpson was right: I used to be with "it", but then they changed what "it" was. Now what I'm with isn't "it", and what's "it" seems weird and scary to me. It'll happen to you...
Written by Kate Carnell
