Artist: Rihanna

Album: Loud

Release Date: November 12, 2010

Background/Context

Back in the days where a plethora of new music from Rihanna could be expected annually, she returned from her previous “underperformance” era to start off the new decade back on top, reaching new global heights with her fifth studio album ‘Loud’. It was a blockbuster album that saw several high-profile collaborations in Eminem, Drake, and Nicki Minaj.

The album came out to fair critical acclaim and even received Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album nominations for the Grammys. Although it didn’t reach the top of BB200 for the U.S, it was her highest debut sales week at the time, charted for more than a year, and has pushed over 13 million units worldwide to date. Seven of the eleven tracks end up becoming well-known singles and even some of the album tracks have become recognizable cult classics.

Coming off what could still be considered Rihanna’s darkest and mature era in Rated R, it was a very sharp contrast in sound to come back with her probably her poppiest and light-hearted album to-date. It was an intentional direction on her part finally regaining her self-confidence and wanting to make music that will put her in a good mood, recording Rated R was a very difficult process for Rihanna, some days she would leave the studio in tears.

Sean Garrett mentioned the goal for the album being to have a completely filler-free era where essentially any song from the album could become a hit, and perhaps I’m in the minority, but I’d say that goal was achieved on both fronts for the most part. Also, fun fact, Usher’s “DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love” was written in mind for this album, but was rejected. A very unfortunate loss as I love that song and think Riri could body it, but let’s get into the songs that ultimately made the cut.

Album Analysis

1. S&M (10/10)

Rihanna gets the most raunchy we’ve seen her to that point to let the world know of how much she’s a bad gyal in bed. The production helps builds up to an absolutely epic chorus and it’s impressive how well this song has aged over the years. It still amazes me that it was able to become such a huge hit in 2010 before the wave of women fully embracing their sexuality hit, I can’t think of many big hits from a MPG at the time that was so explicit.

The video really aids to how much of pop perfection the song is. Back when it was popular to pretend that all celebrities were apart of a secret illuminati cult invented to subliminally brainwash your children and corrupt society with drugs and sex, Rihanna was distinctly the poster image this movement, at least for women. Her YouTube comments would be flooded with everybody depicting satanic imagery and pointing out that she sold her soul. This song is so perfect, especially as an album opener, because it really is a big parody of all the haters. It’s so over-the-top and it works great to set the scene for a very Loud era.

The video shows her trapped by reporters at the start, but she immediately takes control of the narrative making them all submissive to her power. It was banned in many countries and was age-restricted on YouTube, which will prove to not be the first time she takes it too far for the general audience. We also have to mention the Britney Spears remix that ultimately brought the song to the top, it definitely sounds disjointed in a sense, but I don’t find it to be a bad version by any means, there was no better feature for the job than Britney Spears, the former sex icon.

2. What’s My Name?” ft. Drake (10/10)

A very gorgeous duet, the first of many from these two. The song was originally intended to be solo, with the Drake version being in the vault for potential use as a possible remix, ala an S&M situation, but Rihanna liked his version enough to just have it on the album from the start. It’s a very solid verse from Drake to set the scene for the song, it’s very sensual and fun to sing along to leading into Rihanna serving the vocals for the chorus and verse. It shows off Rih being in control of her sexuality, taking her man up for a challenge.

Common critiques are that the song is too repetitive, but I feel like catchy, repetitive hooks are Rihanna’s brand, so I can’t imagine her being a good match for listeners who really have an issue with that. Also, the way she belts out in the bridge has always been a mood, she really wasn’t afraid to hold back this era and express how good of a mindframe she was in. 80% of the music video is like the same 4 shots on loop to be honest, but it was a cute visual of her iconic red hair that aided in making the song even more sexy.

3. Cheers (Drink To That) (6/10)

The song was taking off very organically surprisingly before being cut off by the label deciding to move onto the next era with We Found Love. It’s a very beloved track by many, but it’s always been probably the most expendable song on the album for me. Depending on the day it can switch between a 6-7, but it’s never been something to write home for me, but I can definitely say it’s still a cute listen and a very chill vibe.

I especially like towards the end when the music cuts out and it’s the harmony of her friends singing the chorus together for a few seconds. The video was a cute concept of being somewhat of a documentary of her year, with scenes of her on tour, at festivals, in the recording booth, being silly backstage, etc. but I always felt like they could’ve done a lot more with it.

4. Fading (7/10)

Apparently this would’ve been the single leading into a re-release of Loud, but they decided to go ahead and do another album entirely. A little bit dated, but I still find it really cute. Rihanna is telling off the guy she just dumped, because she realizes the relationship is lacking what she needs, and she needs to go find that for herself. The little adlibs on the chorus are such a cute touch for me, not the strongest song, but far from a filler track in my opinion.

5. Only Girl (In The World) (10/10)

Easily the best song among the singles, it still holds up extremely well. Really serves as the album’s peak, when you think of all the themes the LP sets out of Rih gaining her confidence, taking control of the narrative, making demands and taking names, it’s all perfectly encapsulated into this song. Her vocals are stunning and the production complements it well.

The video is also one of my favorites from her, nothing crazy is going on, but the entire scenery is so stunning from the background nature to her beautiful looks, and it really matches in with the mood of the song. The song in general was very important in helping me embrace my femininity at a time of me realizing that I was gay, and I’m sure it had that impact for a lot of other users here.

6. California King Bed (10/10)

The Queen of Ballads couldn’t leave us without at least one treat on this album. The production was sickening throughout the entire album, but this track had a lot more laidback background instrumentals that really allowed her voice to shine out on this. Lyrically is was a very touching song with it being a metaphor of how despite the hot sex, it feels like they’re completely detached on an emotional level. I know this is a discography favorite for many and I can totally see all the reasons why.

The video is also gorgeous as per usual and helps to portray that message. The love interest is super hot, and although we get lots of scenes of him, I don’t feel too connected to his presence, so it helps me understand my queen’s pain. This honestly deserved a Love On The Brain-type trajectory, but it still performed well overall and would be the first of many iconic ballads from Rihanna during the 10s decade.

7. Man Down (10/10)

Many songs from the album feel like they serve a role in outlining new directions for her career. Man Down signifies a turn into more complex, non-commercial friendly topics than you’d expect from your average pop girl. It’s through and through a raggae song, not as pop-raggae as her previous Carribean hits have been, she went completely in with the instrumentals and fully embracing her accent, which was really the first time I remember her doing so in a song if I remember correctly. Her debut album was very Carribean-inspired, but her accent is definitely American there.

This isn’t necessarily the first time we’ve dabbled into this form of storytelling from her. Her biggest hit from Unfaithful in a similar vein runs through a story of cheating on a man and feeling heavy regrets for it, but this was on a whole nother level being about having killed a man in daylight, regretting her actions and pondering on what the repercussions are going to be. The video illustrates a scenario where the man in question had raped her the night before and being traumatized she took action. It sparks interesting discussion of what are acceptable means of action for these situations. With R9 going to be an entire raggae project, it will be interesting if we get more similar songs and videos.

8. Raining Men ft. Nicki Minaj (10/10)

Definitely the most controversial song from the album, there is no in-between for how you feel about this song. Many find it to be completely chaotic and trashy and hate the feature on this. I personally find it to be a total BOP and I think Nicki bodied her feature, in the sense that it fits right into the song and Nicki knows exactly how to ride any beat. I think it’s just not something to think too deeply about, they just wanna find some dick and have a good time. It was the first and only commercial bomb from the era, not surprisingly, but it still holds a place in my heart.

9. Complicated (7/10)

I mostly just adore her vocals on here. I love the way the good sis was belting all throughout this album and this song especially she was just letting it all on. I do understand all the criticism for it, the lyrics in the verses are definitely very corny/weak and can come across as something meant for a Disney Channel show. But the chorus and bridge are enough to make me still like it, she sounds really good on them.

10. Skin (11/10)

Skin was truly a career highlight, I find it to easily be her best work on the entire album and it’s crazy that it didn’t get pushed through urban radio. The production, songwriting, and vocals were all toptier here. The slow, minimalist melody at the start would progressively get more prevalent as the song goes along and explodes at the end into a guitar solo. Rihanna talk-sings to her lover abous how he’s horny and ready to have sex. I love how suggestive and provocative the lyrics are without actually saying anything, and Rih absolutely sells the part with her seductive voice making it very clear what’s on her mind without needing to say it explicitly. Little touches like the moaning adlibs in the background of the first-half of the song really add to how brilliantly technically-designed the song is. The entire song builds up to an epic climax that is the final run-through of the chorus “no heels, no shirt, no skirt…”

11. Love The Way You Lie (Part II) ft. Eminem (10/10)

It’s honestly a surprise they didn’t just give this a full push. Without being a single, it accumulated so much attention of it’s own with over 100M views on Spotify and a fan upload on YouTube having over 100M, it would’ve definitely gained a lot of traction with a push. I know Eminem isn’t popular on here at all, nor the original song, so I understand why this isn’t liked at all from most people here, but I always found the original song to be beautiful, I think accurate depictions of important topics are important in music. Completely flipping the song to be from the victim’s perspective was a brilliant idea and I’ve always thought it was one of Rihanna’s most impressive vocal showings, she really is the perfect person to deliver the message, and I can’t help but get emotional most times I listen to it. Eminem’s verse on here has always been one of my favorites from him, it really puts the finishing touches in making this multi-song story so tragic.

Discussion Points

1. What are the standout songs/moments from the album? Least favorites?

2. What was your favorite music video? Least favorite?

3. With the album experimenting so much into EDM/electro-pop, many would argue it’s dated today. Does it still hold up for you or do you find it dated?

4. Thoughts on the tracklisting, features, or live performances?

5. Was there something you were hoping from this era you didn’t quite get? What did you enjoy from this era you would like to see Rih do again?