Review: Rihanna's Talk That Talk

By Jasmine Aspinall

Island pop princess Rihanna’s highly-anticipated sixth studio album, “Talk the Talk,” was released November 21.

This album is far from the traditional studio album, as it was recorded during her overseas tour for her 2010 album, “Loud.”

In an album that sweats a fever of uncontrollable dance beats, Rihanna synchronizes her feelings about love and loss and her rock star abilities.

“You Da One” is an ode to the man she knows she will fall insanely in love with but hasn’t met yet. The beat behind hook, “your love is my love,” blends Southern California flare, classic reggae strumming and Dubstep.

Radio smash “We Found Love” is dominating the airwaves. An all-around dance tune, the song has solid replay value. Her angelic harmonics cascade over an infectious disco-type beat.

And the message it transcends is one of great importance. She describes the dangers of being too heavily in love and the downfall a person can take.

The only feature on the album is from the one and only Jay-Z. Often referred to as her mentor and big brother, the duo seem to always make magic when they get together.

Appearing on the title track, Jay makes it his business to tell everyone about the rich, famous and luxurious lifestyle he lives accompanied by “a singer slash actress in my bedroom.” He brags, “I talk big money, I talk big homes, I sell out arenas, I call that getting dome.” How can you not admire the truthfulness and utter cockiness of such a line? Rihanna’s sweet and sour voice begs Jay, “boy talk that talk boy to me all night/Yeah boy I like it/ Love it when you talk that talk to me.” Jays signature “uhhh” seals the deal.

“Cockiness/I Love It” pulls you in as soon as the beat drops. The bitch we all know and love is back as she sings, “suck my cockiness, lick my persuasion.” The loud sirens and methodic beat chimes in a brief pause that introduces her repetition…”I love it, I love it, I love it when you eat it!”

Following the trend is “Birthday Cake.” The repeated claps and her begging, “come and put your name on it,” Rihanna’s repetition of “cake, cake, cake” makes you wanna get down and, well, you get the point…

But Talk That Talk makes sure not to focus solely on the overtly sexualized songs on her previous albums. In essence, most of the songs are threaded with feelings of wanting love and her quest in finding the one.

“We All Want Love” is the quintessential love ballad that expresses the idea that, no matter how hard and tough a person can be, at the end of the day all everyone wants is love.

“Drunk on Love” is a deeper look into the soul of the pop princess. Belting her heart out, she sings about being a hopeless romantic and admits that she “fiends for love/ I want it I crave it.”

The lyrics of songs like “Roc Me Out” and “Watch n’ Learn” stay true to her fierce attitude toward sex in the bedroom.

The album ends with “Farewell,” a ballad sung to the one she has loved and lost.

In contrast to her usual “pretty” album covers, this one features Rihanna wearing dark makeup and sticking out her tongue in a “fuck you, I don’t care,” sort of way. On the deluxe album cover, her curls caress the left side of her face in a black and white photo, as she stares into the camera with a defiant look in her eyes and smoke coming out of her mouth. She’s making a statement and wants everyone to listen.

Overall, this album is a banger. The Dubstep influences tied in with her Caribbean roots and R&B influence make this album something we’re not used to from a pop star — Europop and Dubstep traits mixed with a 90s flair.

Cheers to you, Rihanna.