Rihanna

Loud is Rihanna’s fifth album in as many years, and follows on from Rated R. Whereas the previous album had darker undertones (possibly as a result of her personal life), Loud is a more up beat, happier album, although it does touch on some more emotive issues along the way. Opener S&M does what it says on the tin, but over a David Guetta inspired beat – definite club fodder. Lyrically Rihanna sings about “stick and stones may break my bones, but whips and chains excite me”!!

Elsewhere on the album she also covers off bedroom action in ‘Skin’ making this quite a sensual (sexual?) album.

Other tracks that standout include the Caribbean themed ‘Man Down’ with an almost ska feel to it; ‘California King Bed’ where she gets all rock chick with some good guitar additions on the chorus and ‘What’s My Name’ which feature up and coming star Drake and is a vibrant club number again.

The album is more of a return to Good Girl Gone Bad and is surely going to spawn a series of singles again. Talking of singles, her collaboration with Eminem take a twist here on ‘Love the Way You Lie (Part II)’ where Rihanna takes centre stage with Eminem just adding his rap about two thirds of the way through – and it sounds great to hear Rihanna’s vocals on verse and chorus.

Another competent album from an artist that is amazingly only 22, with 5 successful albums behind her!!