ROC4LIFE

Rihanna’s 7th album, Unapologetic, is appropriately titled. The pop megastar is using her latest disc to tackle her hugely publicized, wildly parsed relationship issues head on. Controversy-baiting moments greet you at every turn. There’s some compelling music in the midst of the narratives, but they never eclipse the talking points. Rih Rih wants us talking, so let’s talk.

Below, the 7 most unapologetic moments on Unapologetic.

1. THE ARTWORK
It starts with the artwork — the window to every album’s soul, and Rihanna’s Unapologetic gives us an honest peer into the themes on this album: defiance, introspection, and naked honesty.

2. “NOBODY’S BUSINESS”
Swapping lyrics with her famous ex, Rihanna reiterates that her personal life is nobody’s business. She makes no apologies for her choices because “it ain’t nobody’s business but mine and my baby’s.”

3. “LOVE WITHOUT TRAGEDY — MOTHER MARY”
One thing this album does effectively: coyly mining personal media events for hits. Here, Rihanna revisits the well-publicized feud with Brown, singing, “You used to be this boy I loved/And I used to be this girl of your dreams/Who knew the course of this one drive/Injured us fatally/You took the best years of my life/I took the best years of your life.” Jaw, meet floor.

4. “LOVEEEEE SONG”
She titled it “Loveeeee Song.” No, really, the song is called “Loveeeee Song.” Who does that? Rihanna, that’s who.

5. “JUMP”
This might be the most defiant song on the album. The list of things Rihanna is unapologetic about go on and on.
One, dropping the F-bomb (she curses a bit more than usual on this album)
Two, lifting that Ginuwine sample
Three, exuding enough sexiness to get her ex in trouble (When you fuck those other girls, I know they’re always wondering why you call my name.”)
Four, trying to get her man back (“You don’t need another lover/Don’t you let it go/I already got it covered/Let the others know!”)

Well, you get the point.

6. DUBSTEP
Rihanna continues her tango with those squealing synthesizers and wub wub bass of EDM. To keep things authentic, she linked up with the masters of the art. Chase & Status assist on the drum-n-bass special “Jump,” while David Guetta jumps aboard for the dancetastic “Right Now.”

7) BALLADS
For the most part, Unapologetic hums a familiar tune — the same fun, catchy ones about love and hurt. But it also signals Rihanna’s willingness to step outside her comfort zone. Not exactly synonymous with elastic vocal muscles, Rihanna flexes them anyway. She’s not hitting those notes like Mariah just yet (who is?), but her turn on “Stay” is a delight.

Unapologetic is in stores right now.

(Photo © Lucas Oleniuk/Toronto Star)

— Rizoh