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POPGAF |OT3| Geo Da Silva > nails on chalkboard > Taylor Swift
- Thread starter Aguila
- Start date
- Status
maybe I'm ignorant, but I see her as pretty unique, comparing to her contemporaries.
omgggggggg
Welcome Back SISTAAAARS! <3
She's amazing indeed. Try this page but I don't know if it's accurate lol.
Welcome Back SISTAAAARS! <3
She's amazing indeed. Try this page but I don't know if it's accurate lol.
Arte Knows whats up.
omgggggggg
Welcome Back SISTAAAARS! <3
Thanks sis. The life its back to the thread.
Unapologetic is the 7th CD in the discography of POP SUPERSTAR Rihanna. Coming hot on the heels of Talk That Talk, Rihanna is back with a new album where she and her producers have done a pretty amazing job in blending all of the different genres she covers into one cohesive album. Aside from a few missteps here and there, I feel as though theyve collectively done an amazing job in achieving their goal. Unapologetic blends R&B, Pop, Dance-POP, a bit of EDM, and ballads all onto one album where everything feels welcome and is complimented so well by Rihannas voice.
Unapologetic contains production from some of the biggest hitmakers of today, and those same people on this album are responsible for her older hits as well. Stargate (Whats my name, Only Girl, S&M, Dont stop the music, Take a bow, and Rude Boy) comes back to lend production on #1 single Diamonds, Jump, and Lost in paradise. The-Dream who previously penned smash hit Umbrella comes back to produce Phresh off the runway, Nobodys Business and Love without Tragedy/Mother Mary. Benny Blanco lends production on lead single Diamonds, which was written by Sia. Clearly we can see that Rihanna has gathered a team of industry heavyweights to work on this album and it shows. There are so many songs that could be released here and do well, and its an album without a lot of filler.
Rihanna also features many artists both known and less known on the album, and in all cases, they compliment the song they are featured on pretty well. She teams with Eminem on Numb, another song with the two of them after mega-hit Love the Way you Lie landed on Eminems latest effort. She also teams with newcomer Future, Mikky Ekko, David Guetta, an uncredited Kanye verse on Jump (which is actually a feature of sorts since it samples Ginuwines 90s hit Pony which is made more Rihanna by an EDM break after the chorus), and finally a feature with ex (or current)-lover Chris Brown on the aptly titled Nobodys business
As we can see from above, the production, writing, and features on the song are stacked so heavily in her favor that its impossible to believe that this album could be nothing short of amazing right? Well, youd be right. It isnt amazing. Its an exceptionally well done album, but there are a few missteps.
Lets start with the good stuff though:
Diamonds is amazing. The writing by Sia and Stargate and Benny Blancos production compliment each other so well, and Rihannas voice works with it so well. As a matter of fact, her vocal performance on the whole album is definitely her best yet, and shows an immense amount of growth which is apparent if you watch her recent live renditions of this song. Another standout song to me is Jump. Upon first listen, the song felt wrong because of the EDM breakdown after Rih samples Ginuwines Pony chorus, but after a few listens, it works. I definitely like it because Im a fan of the original, but Im also a fan of this spiritual successor. Nobodys business is another song that I like because of how different it sounds. The production is such a throwback to older songs that its able to sort of take you back in time while listening to it. Michael Jackson is (lightly, from what I can tell) sampled on this song, and while the subject matter may put people off with Rihanna and Chris singing I wanna be your baby, youll always be my baby, if you dont focus on what has actually happened between them, its a very well done song by two singers whose voices work well together. Other standouts on the album are Stay, Love without Tragedy, and What now. Theyre all very well done ballads from Rih which is surprising given how lackluster some of her ballads have been as of late.
Onto the not so good:
Phresh off the Runway is a fun song, but is mired by the fact that you cant understand what shes saying for a good portion of the song. The beat is so great, but its stuck with a song that goes nowhere and has no identity. Another stumble on the album is Mother Mary. Its attached like a Siamese twin to Love Without Tragedy, but theyre two different songs. They may be alike, but there couldnt be more of a gulf of quality between them. Mother Mary is a long boring song which has none of the poignancy or meaning of Love Without Tragedy. It just really doesnt work for me with the album, and seems totally out of place. Other missteps are Pour it up and Get it over with. Two songs who have little to no meaning and again dont find their place on the album.
Unapologetic shows an immense growth in Rihanna as an artist and her level of comfort in the genres shes used before shows because she sounds her best in this comfortability. Its definitely one of her better albums especially after the rushed Talk That Talk era, but there are a few too many missteps to put this as her best yet. Still a worthy effort from her, and well worth the listen.
Song to use: Nobodys Business, Jump, Love Without Tragedy, Diamonds, What now
Songs to lose: Mother Mary, Phresh off the Runway, and Get it over with
The rest of the songs are inoffensive enough to play and enjoy.
A special Honorable Mention goes out to Half of Me which details that what we see of Rih in the news is only part of who she is. Its a well done song that is penned by Adele and produced, again, by Stargate. It is definitely usable, and worth the listen.
Unapologetic contains production from some of the biggest hitmakers of today, and those same people on this album are responsible for her older hits as well. Stargate (Whats my name, Only Girl, S&M, Dont stop the music, Take a bow, and Rude Boy) comes back to lend production on #1 single Diamonds, Jump, and Lost in paradise. The-Dream who previously penned smash hit Umbrella comes back to produce Phresh off the runway, Nobodys Business and Love without Tragedy/Mother Mary. Benny Blanco lends production on lead single Diamonds, which was written by Sia. Clearly we can see that Rihanna has gathered a team of industry heavyweights to work on this album and it shows. There are so many songs that could be released here and do well, and its an album without a lot of filler.
Rihanna also features many artists both known and less known on the album, and in all cases, they compliment the song they are featured on pretty well. She teams with Eminem on Numb, another song with the two of them after mega-hit Love the Way you Lie landed on Eminems latest effort. She also teams with newcomer Future, Mikky Ekko, David Guetta, an uncredited Kanye verse on Jump (which is actually a feature of sorts since it samples Ginuwines 90s hit Pony which is made more Rihanna by an EDM break after the chorus), and finally a feature with ex (or current)-lover Chris Brown on the aptly titled Nobodys business
As we can see from above, the production, writing, and features on the song are stacked so heavily in her favor that its impossible to believe that this album could be nothing short of amazing right? Well, youd be right. It isnt amazing. Its an exceptionally well done album, but there are a few missteps.
Lets start with the good stuff though:
Diamonds is amazing. The writing by Sia and Stargate and Benny Blancos production compliment each other so well, and Rihannas voice works with it so well. As a matter of fact, her vocal performance on the whole album is definitely her best yet, and shows an immense amount of growth which is apparent if you watch her recent live renditions of this song. Another standout song to me is Jump. Upon first listen, the song felt wrong because of the EDM breakdown after Rih samples Ginuwines Pony chorus, but after a few listens, it works. I definitely like it because Im a fan of the original, but Im also a fan of this spiritual successor. Nobodys business is another song that I like because of how different it sounds. The production is such a throwback to older songs that its able to sort of take you back in time while listening to it. Michael Jackson is (lightly, from what I can tell) sampled on this song, and while the subject matter may put people off with Rihanna and Chris singing I wanna be your baby, youll always be my baby, if you dont focus on what has actually happened between them, its a very well done song by two singers whose voices work well together. Other standouts on the album are Stay, Love without Tragedy, and What now. Theyre all very well done ballads from Rih which is surprising given how lackluster some of her ballads have been as of late.
Onto the not so good:
Phresh off the Runway is a fun song, but is mired by the fact that you cant understand what shes saying for a good portion of the song. The beat is so great, but its stuck with a song that goes nowhere and has no identity. Another stumble on the album is Mother Mary. Its attached like a Siamese twin to Love Without Tragedy, but theyre two different songs. They may be alike, but there couldnt be more of a gulf of quality between them. Mother Mary is a long boring song which has none of the poignancy or meaning of Love Without Tragedy. It just really doesnt work for me with the album, and seems totally out of place. Other missteps are Pour it up and Get it over with. Two songs who have little to no meaning and again dont find their place on the album.
Unapologetic shows an immense growth in Rihanna as an artist and her level of comfort in the genres shes used before shows because she sounds her best in this comfortability. Its definitely one of her better albums especially after the rushed Talk That Talk era, but there are a few too many missteps to put this as her best yet. Still a worthy effort from her, and well worth the listen.
Song to use: Nobodys Business, Jump, Love Without Tragedy, Diamonds, What now
Songs to lose: Mother Mary, Phresh off the Runway, and Get it over with
The rest of the songs are inoffensive enough to play and enjoy.
A special Honorable Mention goes out to Half of Me which details that what we see of Rih in the news is only part of who she is. Its a well done song that is penned by Adele and produced, again, by Stargate. It is definitely usable, and worth the listen.
Wafflecakes
Member
Now I wanna KNOW whew let these dusty cretins with faves that have long since been DISMISSED and never heard from AGAIN in here. Last time i checked your faves had no CAREERS or even STARTED one for that matter. There is NOTHING for you to STAN for.
Must be TIRING trying to get ANYONE to CARE for the FORGOTTEN vile creatures you all care so much for. Something to NOTE is that we here stan for SOMEBODIES and people who are FAMOUS not some cum stained trash on the alleyway in the city doing covers of our faves' music to get NOTICED.
PoinT is that all you have been stanning for is a GHOST! a FART in the FABRIC of the UNIVERSE that no one seen or heard about. You are DISMISSED AGAIN as if you and your faves didnt hear it the FIRST time.
bitch, you seethed at every open opportunity in the dj room when the subject came up, and then you get unbanned and THAT is all you have to say?!
ch...
Wafflecakes
Member
Much like UNAPOLOGETIC, there is LITTLE SUBSTANCE behind its post.
Where is The Chri$t's OT?
I don't want to get re-banned.
Wafflecakes
Member
The Warrior OT will be posted in an hour and a half, I'll give a 10 minute warning when its ready to go
Should be fun.
I don't like Ke$ha on principle...but I really like Die Young............so conflicted.
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
I really did miss having you all here.
You "<3" her because she wanted DMJ to drag you harder?
You "<3" her because she wanted DMJ to drag you harder?
Leona Lewis
Banned
Godmei.
Godmei.
Masochism. A Christina and Nicki stan should understand.
Wafflecakes
Member
Hrm....been killing me all week not being able post.
Now I can't think of anything to talk about.
Now I can't think of anything to talk about.
Hrm....been killing me all week not being able post.
Now I can't think of anything to talk about.
Basically me rn
a mess
<+)O Robido O(+>
Member
I'm not as naturally inclined to rudity like you girls. I usually try and keep it cute because A) its not that serious, and B) i kinda don't give a fuck. Please don't think that I actually expend any effort into shading or dragging, because I don't.
PRESSED LIMITED PRESENTS
Flawless victory.
Check the first post on the last page. The fact that someone had to use TABLOID RUMORS to try and drag someone who has outdone their faves and punched her out for years is all you need to know that the STRUGGLE is alive and well.
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
I just enjoyed hearing that DMJ was so bothered by my few flippant remarks about the Bajan forehead.
Wafflecakes
Member
Has become plenty clear than Xtina is not worth the effort to shade. Like kicking a dieing, tone deaf, puppy.
Rihanna should be fun if she fails to hit #1 though....on top of her disastrous album.
It is like learning a new language; you have to start when you're young or you'll never really be fluent.
Has become plenty clear than Xtina is not worth the effort to shade. Like kicking a dieing, tone deaf, puppy.
sis, Cyno is watching. Its best not to get involved in this quarrel now
Has become plenty clear than Xtina is not worth the effort to shade. Like kicking a dieing, tone deaf, puppy.
Rihanna should be fun if she fails to hit #1 though....on top of her disastrous album.
#Cosign
Rihanus is the new target.
Let Xtina and her stans worry about Lotus's struggles.
i just think that if you're gonna talk about it, you should be about itYou "<3" her because she wanted DMJ to drag you harder?
although this should be a non-shock coming from the same person that bandwagon stanned "Your Body" to cover his bases if it slayed, just so he could be on the right side of history (spoiler alert: he ended up on the wrong side of history)
Wafflecakes
Member
sis, Cyno is watching. Its best not to get involved in this quarrel now
lol
I suppose.
...but yeah. Had a whole week to vent in plug.....getting ancy.
#Cosign
Rihanus is the new target.
But... when hasn't she been the target?
Do you have a problem? Aside from your taste, that is.
Wafflecakes
Member
But... when hasn't she been the target?
Better question......when has she NOT deserved to be a target? NOT shading Rihanna would be a disservice to the thread.
<+)O Robido O(+>
Member
Now bitch...
This review may come as a shock to you if you pay attention to my posts. "OMG Doesn't Artemisia HATE Lana Del Rey??" Well, yes and no. She does have a few songs that slay me a bit, but there's something about her that just puts me off. Her vocals, the production style, or something else. I'm not sure. But the point is that even though I've listened to her album, I don't feel that I was completely openminded, or gave her a fair chance. So I've decided to give her that chance by re-listening to Born To Die.
Here we go~
Born To Die:
- The string intro of this song functions as a really good album opener, I think.
- I love how the chorus emphasizes the line "we were born to die" by toning down the production.
- I feel that there could be more lyrical content before the second chorus. It feels so soon.
- The song really drags on after that second chorus. It gets repetitive, and could use a proper bridge.
- The guitar strums with the chanting is a great way to end the song.
Off to the Races:
- Her vocals and the melody in the first verses are incredible.
- The strings and the booming faded drums are so dramatic and I love it.
- "Light of my life, fire of my loins, be a good baby, do what I want!" Her high pitched voice and the urban beat... this part is everything.
- The chorus is somewhat of a letdown after the flawless verses and lead up into the chorus. But luckily we get another section of that~
- The bridge is ok. Maybe it will catch on with me after a few more listens.
- Song doesn't feel overly long like the opening song.
- The production work here is commendable. The cheers in the background adds so much atmosphere, like you are actually right there at the derby ;_; Atmospheric.
- Probably the best song on the album (not counting Paradise).
Blue Jeans:
- The chords that open the song are so perfect and memorable. I can hear it throughout the song, and kinda wish it was more pronounced.
- I like that shouting noise that plays throughout the song.
- Her voice in the chorus is nice. I like the way she delivers the line "love you more than those bitches before".
- The bridge is OK I guess. So is the ending. Nothing that stands out as well as the flawless intro.
- Side note: The Penguin Prison remix of this song is pretty damn great; I suggest you listen.
Video Games:
- I really do not like this song that much, and I am perplexed that this was the start of her online popularity. It's really nothing to write home about.
- The song isn't -bad-, it's quite pretty and mellow, but it just doesn't go anywhere at all, or do anything interesting production-wise and melody-wise.
- I don't have much to say aside from that oop
Diet Mountain Dew:
- Another average song.
- I have to admit the intro caught my attention immediately. I thought it was going to be another urban influenced bop, but sadly, it wasn't.
- It's mainly the melody that I don't enjoy in this song. I bet if it was shifted a bit to make it less of a song that just rolls along happily I would be satisfied.
- I really like the song name! It is a shame that the song didn't turn out to be as appealing or memorable.
National Anthem:
- The production work here is fantastic. The uplifting intro with the distant cheers of celebration and fireworks just ends and this dark ominous beat and string work rolls in. Perfect.
- I like the verses. The melodies are nice. The dialogue style of the lyrics is interesting.
- I take issue with the chorus in this song (a recurring problem!). It's not bad, just not as great as the rest of the song. I guess I was just expecting something different.
- The outro is sort of messy. Those lyrics... I mean... "Money is the anthem, God, you're so handsome, money is the anthem of success..." once is fine, but their cheesiness is revealed through the repetitions.
- Overall, one of the best songs on the album.
Dark Paradise:
- The urban beat is infectious.
- The melodies in the prechorus are well done. "And there's no remedy for memory your face is Like a melody, it won't leave my head".
- I love the chorus! It's so saddening, but makes me so jumpy.
- The use of her high pitched voice after the second chorus is nice. "oh oh oh ah ha ha ha~"
- What a great way to end the song.
- Listening to the lyrics again, this song is really damn depressing...
- Another album highlight.
Radio:
- Don't really know why this song made the record. It was already meaty at 12, they could have let 1 or 2 go.
- The buildup to the chorus made me think the song was going to slay, but it just ended up being the most anticlimactic thing ever. You can barely hear her voice even.
- The definition of filler. The melody is cute, I guess.
Carmen:
- Another underwhelming track, I'm afraid.
- It's nice while you're listening to it, but you won't be singing it after it's over.
- I love the rhyme work in the verses! "Carmen, carmen, staying up til morning Only seventeen, but she walks the streets so mean It's alarming truly how disarming you can be" Her droning voice works so well there.
- Listening to it again, It really isn't that average. I like it a lot more now.
Million Dollar Man:
- The song that spawned the infamous performance~
- I like the jazzy lounge sound on this song.
- Her vocal work on this track is good. I love the way she changes between her deep voice, and that cutesy high pitched voice.
- It's not a bad song by any means, but pretty damn forgettable.
Summertime Sadness:
- One of my favorites on the album.
- The percussion work here is so great. I love how the beat switches up.
- The chorus is so catchy. "Kiss me hard before you go... Summertime sadness..."
- Focusing on her voice in the second verses was a good idea.
- The ending of the song slays me every time. That distortion or whatever it is. Magnificent.
- Album highlight.
This Is What Makes Us Girls:
- This song reminds me of Off to the Races for some reason. Maybe its the urban beat or whatever? No matter.
- Sorry to say this again, but the chorus again fails to impress me.
- A shame because, I really enjoyed the verses.
- Like Video Games, I seem to be struggling to find something to say about this song. It's good though. Just not a highlight. Not an ideal album closer either.
- I thought this song would slay everything on the planet, what with how the fans talk about it.
Without You:
- Oh lord, here come the bonus tracks. Not expecting much from these.
- It seems my lowered expectations were warranted. This song is nothing special at all. Not awful, not amazing, and not in the middle either. It's just there.
- What happened to the intriguing song titles? Without You is so cliché, I feel like there must be a hundred songs with that name.
Lolita:
- Well... this certainly is a bonus track. It doesn't seem to thematically fit with the album at all.
- This kind of material seems uncharacteristic to be honest. I'm more used to slow bops from Lana, but this is fairly upbeat.
- The lyrics are terrible in this song. Especially in the chorus. "Hey Lolita, hey, Hey Lolita, hey".
- At least the production work is good.
- It's an OK song.
Lucky Ones:
- First bad song on the album. She did good. 15 tracks and only one that I can't stand to listen to again.
- Ugh it's just so boring (I really hate using that word to describe music, but it's just so fitting) and is unremarkable in EVERY regard.
- Disposable.
Closing Comments:
This is a good album overall. There are not as many hard hitting tracks as I would like, but there are enough to get by, and it's not like the tracks that weren't highlights were terrible. They are certainly listenable and I wouldn't skip them if I listened to the album the whole way through again (except maybe Video Games). The production work here is pretty fucking excellent I have to say. It seems that the main producer on his album is a hip hop producer, and it shows. I truly enjoy the urban beats on this record. And the way they blend with her vocals and the grand orchestral arrangements is truly seamless.
I hate to say this but the lyric work on the album deserves criticism. Some of the phrases on this album are downright laughable. "You fit me better than my favorite sweater," "Money is the anthem, God, you're so handsome," "Hey Lolita, hey, Hey Lolita, hey," "I got that summertime, summertime sadness," and "I was like, No please, stay here" are some of the standouts. While there is good writing to be found, I cannot believe she is hailed as some expert writer. She's got some skills, but not falling for common pop lyric shenanigans would have benefitted her.
With that being said, I am not stanning, but I do have some newfound love for her. I am interested to see how she grew in the short time between this and the rerelease. If Ride is anything to go off of, then I have a lot to look forward to.
Standout Tracks:
Off to the Races
National Anthem
Dark Paradise
Summertime Sadness
Final Score*:
★★★☆☆
*
(equivalent to the number of stars I should get for this review considering the amount of effort that went into it)
#BillsBillsBills
#CarterTax
I just didn't want to #clapback too hard. Unlike my fave, I know when not to #clapback. I thought I should just under do it.
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