Stuck in Limbo: Unapologetic Review

With 6 Grammy's, 11 number one Hot 100 singles, most liked on Facebook, over 60 million tracks sold, and over 25 million albums sold worldwide, it is safe to say that Rihanna is one of the world's most influential and top female pop artists in the game. Gracing the covers of multiple top magazines with jaw-dropping beautiful and controversial photos, the Bajan beauty could literally drop an auto-tuned burp and still sell millions to adoring fans. Fortunately for music lovers, her latest album Unapologetic is an exploration into new genres, sounds, and one of her more personal albums of her career.
Although she didnt pen or produce any of the tracks on this latest release, Rihanna enlists the works of top producers, songwriters, and dance kings to tell her story of love, relationships, money, sex, and weed. Once you get the past the ego-boosting dubstep, sythned beat of the Guetta produced "Phresh off the Runway", money glorifying Mike Will-Made It produced "Pour it Up", atmospheric banger "Numb" ft Eminem, and Skrillex-esque Ginuwine sampled "Jump", the album takes a more personal and ballad heavy tone.
Following the dance heavy tracks are the more personal tracks that set this album apart from others in the past. Contradictory to her uplifting, chart-topping single "Diamonds", two of the ballads that painted Rihanna in a dark and troubled light were the ironic Michael Jackson inspired "Nobody's Business" ft Chris Brown and the depressing "Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary". Both singles touch on the feelings and emotions of the controversy that shaped both Rihanna and Chris Brown's careers since the 2009 incident, but whose message and simple lyrics give a mixed message of being stuck in limbo and weary of the next step. Even though her intention for letting the listener into this personal journey of her life is still unclear as a just a means to sell albums or therapy, the album as a whole is a roller coaster of mixed emotions, sounds, and simple lyrics coupled with strong beats.

Album Snippets: http://soundcloud.com/umusic-backstage/sets/rihanna-unapologetic