Rihanna's new album is Rated R
She’s finally put down that umbERella folks! With brilliant vocals and tracks that herald in a darker edge, Rihanna’s fourth studio has a more creative feel than previous offerings and will be launched on November 20th 2009.
Showcasing the single written by Ne-Yo and Rihanna, Russian Roulette, the album is the Barbadian R&B singer’s first to receive a Parental Advisory label. There’s also much speculation as to whether it will include any tracks written about Chris Brown – Rihanna’s ex-boyfriend with whom she was involved in an altercation before the 2009 Grammy Awards. With angrier songs carrying titles on the subject of love like Stupid in Love and Cold Case Love and Rude Boy, this could well be the case.
The CD sees Rihanna working with many prestigious song-writers and producers including Chuck Harmony, Tricky Stewart, the Norwegian record producing team Stargate and Justin Timberlake. Ne-Yo has co-written many of the songs and has described Russian Roulette as a “different direction for both of us.” Rihanna specified that she wanted dark songs that had some kind of meaning “a little more morbid,” Ne-Yo says, commenting that she also says some things on this album that you’ve never heard her say before – could he be referring to the inclusion of swear words on some of the tracks? Several recordings feature iconic performers like Velvet Revolver’s Slash who plays guitar on the suitably named track, Rockstar 101 and Hard features the American rapper Young Jeezy.
Rated R reflects Rihanna’s growth as an artist and also as a songwriter but although some of the songs are dark they’re combined with more uptempo club beats and heartfelt ballads. Fans who pre-order Rates R will receive an instant download of Russian Roulette but there’s another reason you need to add this album to your collection – it’s seriously stellar… ella…ella.
Where to get it >>
Alexandra Burke's debut album is out now
The winner of X-Factor, Alexandra Burke’s keenly-awaited début album entitled Overcome, is now on sale.
The feisty singer has had a rocky time finding her own identity over the past ten months but this album proves that she is so much more than just a winner of talent shows. Alexandra can belt it out like no-one’s business and does so to great effect in tracks like Bad Boys and All Night, but along with the club smashes, Overcome also contains languid soul gems, retro sounds, a touch of Tamla Motown and lyrical ballads that also come with beats.
With a stellar supporting cast of producers, singers and songwriters including Stargate; the Swedish production team who spawned 21 top US hits for the likes of Shakira, Beyoncé and Rihanna and the man behind the hugely successful Lady Gaga – Red One. Overcome has been produced with an eye on the market across the Atlantic and was recorded over a period of six months.
Alexandra herself says; “I want my music to be fun, to be uplifting and to be bold. I want it to reflect my personality. I want it to be in your face. I want it to be a beast.
“I said exactly the same thing to Simon Cowell,” she continues, “He said ‘whatever you do, it has to come from the heart’.” Does Overcome succeed? You can only find out by buying it.