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Loud (Rihanna album)

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Untitled

Loud is the fifth studio album by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna. It was first released on November 12, 2010. Recording sessions began in February 2010[2] and continued over a period of six months, concluding in August 2010.[3] The album's lead single "Only Girl (In the World)" was released on September 10, 2010. "What's My Name?" was released as the second single on October 29, 2010 and Rihanna has stated that current plans will see "S&M" released as the third single.[4][5]

Background

In June 2010, it was revealed that Rihanna was planning to release her fifth studio album soon.[6] Singers, songwriters and producers Taio Cruz,[7] Alex da Kid,[8] Sean Garrett,[9] Ne-Yo,[10] Rico Love, Timbaland,[11] Shontelle,[12] David Guetta,[13] and Drake[14] worked on the album. "I'm gonna miss the Rated R era too, but nothing compares to the album I just made," Rihanna said, adding, "I made sure not to let you down with my music. You guys are always defending me, so now you’ve got some great songs to justify it. I didn’t want to go backward and remake Good Girl Gone Bad. I wanted the next step in the evolution of Rihanna, and it’s perfect for us".[3] In early September 2010, she announced that the album would be called, Loud saying that "get Loud everybody, get crazy, get excited, because I'm pumped. I'm just gonna be me, because that's what you guys love the most, and that's what makes me feel best. Just being normal, normal for me is Loud! Sassy, fun, flirty, energetic."[3] While Rihanna was on set filming for the movie Battleship, she explained in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, "Loud is, the word, the name of the album definitely reflects the attitude of it, it’s really sassy and flirty and it grabs your attention and that’s why I enjoy it. It takes you through a really really interesting ride. So colorful the album.” [15] The artwork of the album was revealed on September 28, 2010.[16]

Music and lyrics

Tracks have been penned by Shontelle,[17] Ester Dean[18] and Nicki Minaj.[19] Stargate produced fizzing synths, club beats and sing-along chants featured heavily, with three songs on the album, "Only Girl (In the World)", "What's My Name?" and "S&M". "Cheers", which Rihanna also referred to by its working title, "Drink to that", is a funky, loping guitar groove dedicated to a night on the town and interpolates Avril Lavigne's "I'm With You". "California King (Bed)" is a strummed, acoustic ballad.[20] "S&M" is the "loudest" track on the album.[5] Rihanna described "Raining Men" as "a really fun song. Nothing like the original. It's quite uptempo but kind of quirky and funny."[19] Rihanna and Drake have described their duet, "What's My Name?" as a "young" and "playful" track.[21]

Release and promotion

The album will be released in four separate editions: the standard edition, the deluxe edition, which also features a 30 minute DVD presenting "The Making of Loud", and a jewel case/digipack package. There is also the couture edition featuring the deluxe edition of Loud, as well as a deluxe cover art lithograph, a box set with enhanced clear couture cover and a full-size photo book.[22] The limited edition Ultra Couture Edition features a copy of the Deluxe Edition of Loud signed by Rihanna herself, and the MP3 download of Loud on street date, as well as all the features of the couture edition.[23] The album bears a Parental Advisory label.[24]

Rihanna first headed to London to promote the album in United Kingdom on October 1, 2010.[25] She interviewed with BBC Radio 1, "I can't believe it's the fifth album already," she said to host Scott Mills. "That's insane to think about. I've never been this excited about anything I've done creatively, and this is just the perfect Rihanna album, every song is tailored to me." During the making of the album, the singer had a particular agenda in mind: "I wanted songs that were all Rihanna songs, that nobody else could do. I didn't want the generic pop record that Kesha or Lady Gaga or Katy Perry could just do and it'll work. I wanted a song, or songs, that were Rihanna songs, that only I could do, had that little West Indian vibe to it, had that certain tone, a certain sass and a certain energy."[26] As a part of the promotion, Rihanna unveiled five tracks from the album, at a club in London.[20] Rihanna said during the promotion that much of the music was born out of frustration. She explained: "When you go to a club and have to listen to bad music you revert to the liquor, because you want to have a good time. I hate having to skip a track. I wanted to make an album you can just play."[5]

Rihanna first performed "Only Girl (In the World)" and "What's My Name?" on Saturday Night Live on October 30, 2010.[27]

Singles

The album's lead single "Only Girl (In the World)" was released on September 10, 2010.[28] The song was sent to US mainstream and rhythmic radio on September 21, 2010.[29][30] The song has currently peaked at number three on Billboard Hot 100 and number one on UK Top 40, Canadian Hot 100, Australian Aria Charts and in New Zealand.[31] "What's My Name?" was released as the second single of the album on October 29, 2010 and the video has already been shot.[4] On October 21, 2010 Billboard reported that the version of the single featuring Drake had made its hot shot debut on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart at number sixty-seven.[32] It was released in some European countries on October 29, 2010 and later in the US on November 1.[33] It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Rihanna her eighth number-one hit on the chart.[34][35] According to Rihanna, the current plan is to release "S&M" as the third single, with plans for an "unexpected" music video.[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[36]
Boston Phoenix[37]
Chicago Sun-Times[38]
The Daily Telegraph[39]
Entertainment Weekly(A-)[40]
The Independent[41]
The Observer(favorable)[42]
Slant Magazine[43]

Allmusic writer Andy Kellman gave it 3 out of 5 stars and found it "slapdash" and "uneven", calling it "more an unfocused assortment of poor-to-solid songs than a unified set", but praised lead single Only Girl (In the World).[36] Bernadette McNulty of The Daily Telegraph also gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, calling it "a swift return to the kind of sunny, upbeat pop bangers that preceded the Barbados-born singer’s brush with domestic violence and the resulting dark melodrama of her last album".[39] Boston Phoenix writer Daniel Brockman gave it 2 out of 4 stars and stated "just because it's louder [stylistically] doesn't mean there's more to hear".[37] Andy Gill of The Independent viewed that "the more interesting tracks are those with less salacious demands on her vulnerability".[41]

Despite noting some flaws in its production, Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani complimented "the subtle West Indian flavor with which Rihanna and company have smartly imbued" on most of the album and stated "Rihanna has always had trouble fitting into one genre [...] and for better or worse, Rihanna continues to stylistically branch out on Loud".[43] The Observer's Hugh Montgomery viewed that "Sonically, it's fairly unremarkable [...] but its strident buoyancy is difficult to resist".[42] Chicago Sun-Times writer Thomas Conner gave the album 3 out of 4 stars and stated "the celebratory atmosphere of Rihanna's sassy new jams are seasoned with some of the darker flavors from 'Rated R'".[38] Entertainment Weekly's Leah Greenblatt gave Loud an A- rating and wrote that it shows Rihanna "undefeated by her worst circumstances — and finding redemption in exactly the kind of pop nirvana that made her famous in the first place".[40]

Track listing

The track listing was confirmed by MTV UK[44]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."S&M"Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen, Sandy Wilhelm, Ester DeanStarGate, Sandy Vee4:04
2."What's My Name?" (featuring Drake)Hermansen, Eriksen, Tracy Hale, DeanStarGate4:23
3."Cheers (Drink to That)"Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Stacey Barthe, L. Pergolizzi, Corey Gibson, C. Ivery, Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, Avril Lavigne, Scott SpockThe Runners4:22
4."Fading"Jamal Jones, DeanPolow da Don3:20
5."Only Girl (In the World)"Crystal Johnson, Eriksen, Hermansen, WilhelmStarGate, Sandy Vee3:55
6."California King Bed"Harn, Jackson, Priscilla Renea, A. DelicataThe Runners4:12
7."Man Down"S. Joseph, T. Thomas, T. Thomas, Shontelle LayneSham4:27
8."Raining Men" (featuring Nicki Minaj)M. Hough II, R. Wouter, T. Thomas, T. Thomas, Onika MarajMel & Mus3:45
9."Complicated"Christopher Stewart, DeanTricky Stewart4:18
10."Skin"Kenneth Coby, U. YancySoundz5:04
11."Love the Way You Lie (Part II)" (featuring Eminem)Alexander Grant, H. Hafferman, Marshall MathersAlex da Kid4:56
iTunes bonus tracks[45]
No.TitleLength
12."Love the Way You Lie" (Piano version)4:09
13."Only Girl (In the World)" (Music video)4:15
14."Only Girl (In the World)" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svejda Mix Show Edit) (Pre-order only)4:10
Deluxe edition bonus DVD[46]
No.TitleLength
1."The Making of Loud: Chapter 1"0:48
2."The Making of Loud: Chapter 2 - Raining Men Recording Session"1:32
3."The Making of Loud: Chapter 3 - Man Down Recording Sesson"1:40
4."The Making of Loud: Chapter 4"0:30
5."The Making of Loud: Chapter 5 - Live in NYC - Madison Square Garden"7:00
6."The Making of Loud: Chapter 6 - Reb'l Fleur Photo Shoot"3:30
7."The Making of Loud: Chapter 7 - Loud Album Art Photo Shoot"1:52
8."The Making of Loud: Chapter 8 - Day One"3:39
9."The Making of Loud: Chapter 9 - Day Two"2:48
10."The Making of Loud: Chapter 10 - Credits"3:05
Notes

Release history

Region Date Label
Australia[47] November 12, 2010 Universal Music Group
Germany[48]
Ireland[49]
Netherlands [50]
France[51] November 15, 2010
New Zealand[52]
United Kingdom[53] Mercury Records
Mexico[54] November 16, 2010 Universal Music Group
United States[55] Def Jam Recordings
Sweden[56] November 17, 2010
Poland [57] November 19, 2010 Universal Music Group

References

  1. ^ Loud - Rihanna | AllMusic
  2. ^ Jocelyn Vena (2010-03-03) Rihanna Working On New Album, Producer Confirms MTV News (MTV Networks). Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  3. ^ a b c Gil Kaufman (2010-09-07) Rihanna Reveals Title of New Album MTV News (MTV Networks). Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  4. ^ a b Jocelyn Vena (2010-09-30) Rihanna Shoots Video for "What's My Name" Off Upcoming Album, Loud MTV News (MTV Network). Retrieved 2010-10-03.
  5. ^ a b c d Kim Dawson (2010-10-07) Rhythm 'n booze: Rihanna Is SO saucy Daily Star (Northern and Shell Media Publications). Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  6. ^ Rihanna’s Next Album To Rival ‘Thriller’? MTV UK (MTV Networks). 2010-06-19. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  7. ^ Rihanna Working With Taio Cruz On New Album MTV UK (MTV Networks). 2010-04-30. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  8. ^ Cline, Georgette "Rihanna Working with Producer Alex Da Kid on New Album". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  9. ^ "SEAN GARRET PENS RIHANNA'S NEXT ALBUM" MTV Base (MTV Networks). 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  10. ^ "Rap-Up TV: Ne-Yo Reveals Album Details, Alter-Ego, & Writing for Rihanna" Rap-Up.com - Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  11. ^ Timberland and Rico Love Working On New Rihanna Album Rap-Up.com - Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  12. ^ Kim Dawson (2010-09-18) JLS to conquer USA with help of Shontelle Daily Star (Northern and Shell Media Publications). Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  13. ^ James Montgomery (2010-09-27) Rihanna Shoots Video For Loud Track "What's My Name?" MTV News (MTV Networks). Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  14. ^ Drake working with Rihanna Billboard Charts. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  15. ^ Rihanna Unveils Loud Album Cover top40.about.com - 2010-09-29. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  16. ^ LOUD Cover Revealed! www.rihannanow.com - Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  17. ^ Shontelle and Rihanna hook up MTV Base (MTV Networks). 2010-10-10. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  18. ^ Rihanna the Billboard Cover Story Billboard Charts. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  19. ^ a b Jocelyn Vena (2010-10-12) Rihanna Sings Praises Of Loud Collaborator Nicki Minaj MTV News (MTV Networks). Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  20. ^ a b c Mark Savage (2010-10-06) Rihanna premieres fifth album, Loud, in London BBC News Online. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  21. ^ Mawuse Ziegbe (2010-10-08) Rihanna Calls Drake The 'Only Person' For 'What's My Name' Remix MTV News (MTV Networks). Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  22. ^ Amazon.com: Loud (Coulture Edition) (CD/DVD Combo) Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  23. ^ "Loud" Autographed Coulture Edition Island Def Jam Music Group. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  24. ^ Loud by Rihanna - Preorder Loud on iTunes. iTunes. Retrieved on 2010-11-07.
  25. ^ Rihanna goes for a brightly coloured look as she promotes her new album in London Daily Mail. 2010-10-02. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  26. ^ James Dinh (2010-10-01) Rihanna Dishes On New Album Loud, Acting In 'Battleship' MTV News (MTV Networks). Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  27. ^ WSJ Staff. "'Saturday Night Live' with Jon Hamm, Rihanna: SNL's Best Bits". Speakeasy by The Wall Street Journal. Wall Street Journal Blog. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  28. ^ Only Girl (In the World) - Single by Rihanna iTunes Store (Australia). Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  29. ^ "'Only Girl (In the World)' Mainstream date". AllAccess. All Access Music Group. 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
  30. ^ "'Only Girl (In the World)' Rythmic Date". AllAccess. All Access Music Group. 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2010-09-11. [dead link]
  31. ^ Girl (In The World) chart peaks Billboard Charts. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  32. ^ Weekly Chart Notes: Far East Movement, Lil Wayne, Suzanne Vega - Chart Beat| Billboard.com Billboard Charts. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  33. ^ "What's My Name: Rihanna". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  34. ^ Trust, Gary (10 November 2010). "Rihanna's 'What's My Name?' Rockets to No. 1 on Hot 100 | Billboard.com". Billboard. Retrieved 12 November 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ Trust, Gary (11 November 2010). "Weekly Chart Notes: Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson - Chart Beat | Billboard.com". Billboard. Retrieved 12 November 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ a b Kellman, Andy (November 14, 2010). Review: Loud. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-11-14.
  37. ^ a b Brockman, Daniel (November 9, 2010). Review: Loud. Boston Phoenix. Retrieved on 2010-11-13.
  38. ^ a b Conner, Thomas (November 12, 2010). Review: Loud. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved on 2010-11-12.
  39. ^ a b McNulty, Bernadette (November 5, 2010). "Loud: Rihanna, CD review - Rihanna returns to sunny sassy tunes with 'Loud'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
  40. ^ a b Greenblatt, Leah (November 10, 2010). Review: Loud. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2010-11-11.
  41. ^ a b Gill, Andy (November 12, 2010). Review: Loud. The Independent. Retrieved on 2010-11-12.
  42. ^ a b Montgomery, Hugh (November 14, 2010). Review: Loud. The Observer. Retrieved on 2010-11-14.
  43. ^ a b Cinquemani, Sal (November 12, 2010). Review: Loud. Slant Magazine. Retrieved on 2010-11-12.
  44. ^ Rihanna Wears Suspenders For New Video | Rihanna | News | MTV UK
  45. ^ Loud by Rihanna - Preorder Loud on iTunes. iTunes Store. Retrieved on 2010-11-01.
  46. ^ Loud [Deluxe Edition] - Rihanna | AllMusic. AllMusic.
  47. ^ LOUD | Music, Music Genres, Pop/Rock: JB HI FI JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
  48. ^ Loud: Rihanna: Amazon.de: Music Amazon.de - Retrieved 2010-09-24.
  49. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/ie/preorder/loud/id402442293
  50. ^ bol.com | Loud, Rihanna | Muziek www.bol.com - Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  51. ^ Loud: Rihanna: Amazon.fr: Musique www.amazon.fr Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  52. ^ [1] www.cdwow.co.nz Retrieved 2010-10-27.
  53. ^ Loud: Rihanna: Amazon.co.uk: Music Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
  54. ^ [2] Mixup.com Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  55. ^ Loud: Rihanna: Amazon.com: Music Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  56. ^ Loud: Rihanna: Cdon.se: Music Cdon.se. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  57. ^ universalmusic.pl | Rihanna come back with a new album | DziadekElvis www.universalmusic.pl - Retrieved 2010-11-01.
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