2. 'Unapologetic' (2012)
The latest album to emerge from Rihanna, making it her seventh album in as many years, 'Unapologetic' proved that from era to era, Rihanna was more than capable of making big sonic shifts and keeping the listeners and fans more than hooked on her every word, making her one of the few musicians and popstars whose entire sound can adapt so diversely and yet retain a loyal fanbase. 'Unapologetic' is led by a more midtempo R&B-pop sound overall, although the diversions away from this sound are more than notable - catwalk trap anthem 'Phresh Out The Runway' is a strut-worthy treat while David Guetta channels his brand of house-pop production into 'Right Now' and the two-songs-in-one epic that is 'Love Is Tragedy/Mother Mary', a personal pair of songs that change from depressing to quietly uplifting on a corkscrew turn, exploring religious and spiritual themes alongside ones of insecurity, pain and recovery after the loss of a major relationship. Rihanna experimented much more with her sound and with the themes she was willing to explore - 'Pour It Up' is typical 'drunk-in-the-club' fare but 'Numb' hides feelings of isolation and feeling numb on the inside, hidden within a drug allegory. Album standout, 'Half of Me', becomes an anthemic ballad that Rihanna has never conquered before, combining emotional and introspective lyrics that reflect on her life and yet feel applicable to a lot of people too as it references the trouble with celebrity culture. In this, she addresses the two sides of her public persona - the unrepentant woman, and the girl behind her - to astonishingly honest and powerful effect. The strongest tracks, however, are the ones that utilise this R&B-pop sound to full effect - 'What Now' is a blistering and emotional R&B-dubstep tune, 'Lost In Paradise' is a chilled out reggae-esque standout and lead single 'Diamonds' uses pulsing pop beats and a warm, chilled vibe to create a stadium-sized anthem. Even the album's now-iconic cover is tellling - on it she is both edgy and laid bare, naked and tattooed, the story of her album and her life literally written all over her. She has become stripped away and the truth lies on her and inside the music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWA2pjMjpBs 'Unapologetic' is certainly one of Rihanna's most personal albums and one that deals with her introspection over her relationship to fame and her controversial ex-beau Chris Brown who features on the spirited 'Nobody's Business'. It's an album whose emotional context that is matched by being sonically innovative and diverse - there are enough mainstream hits on the album to keep Rihanna's momentum going, but plenty of diversions and intriguing aural gymnastics to make sure it's a solid, enjoyable listen.