Just when I thought “R8” was some sort of sick joke that Rihanna was playing on fans and casual listeners alike, she released ‘FourFiveSeconds’ this past Saturday evening with no prior warning. By now, If you’re reading this, I’m sure you have heard at least a few seconds of the lead single from her forthcoming album. With that being said, opinions on the Pop sensation’s latest record has already been formed, whether good, bad, or indifferent. What I respect the most, even if I didn’t like like the song, is that Rihanna took a chance and decided to not play it safe.
I try my best to be open to all types of music, no matter the genre or the artist(s) making the music. One key aspect that I look for when I’m researching artists is if their music is consistently the same. Versatility is perhaps the top characteristic I look for in an artist, initially. So, when you have an artist like Rihanna, who has arguably tackled it all in music, you’re left asking, “What’s next?”.
With 7 albums under her belt, Rihanna has worked to become a force to be reckoned with. It was evident that the Pop star wasn’t afraid of change when she introduced Rated R to the world. What impressed me the most was that even though she was leaving a previous era with smash singles like ‘Umbrella’ and ‘Don’t Stop The Music’, Rihanna wasn’t afraid to become vulnerable and gritty at the start of the Rated R’s campaign with ‘Wait Your Turn’ and ‘Russian Roulette’. The rest is history and now we have the captivating ‘FourFiveSeconds’.
The acoustic and Folk-sounding ‘FourFiveSeconds’ was the last thing I was expecting Rihanna’s lead single to sound like. I just knew that we were going to get an anthemic stadium-sound lead single after waiting 2 years since the release of Unapologetic. While some were disappointed, loyal fans and avid haters alike, I am excited. The excitement is at the forefront because Rihanna delivered the unexpected while staying true to herself. I’ll go out on a limb and say we all can appreciate her “I don’t give a……” attitude and that feisty attitude makes its presence known throughout the song. In particular, she sings on the bridge of the song, “Now I know that you’re up tonight, Thinking “How could I be so reckless?”, But I just can’t apologize, I hope you can understand”. Sprinkled with Rihanna and Kanye West letting us know they’re seconds away from “wildin”, the vocal styling between the two gives ‘FourFiveSeconds’ a pleasant honesty. Mix all of that with Paul McCartney giving a Beatles-like stamp; We now have a beautifully pieced Folk/Pop fusion work of art.
Not only did the record deliver, at least for me, it sounds nothing like what’s on Top 40 radio. It’s not your bubble-gum pop anthem that you will expect everyone to sing to, nor is it the track that you’d expect the DJs to play multiples times in nightclubs. It’s not a boisterous urban track along the lines of ‘Pour It Up’. It’s a far cry from anything we’d expect from her, which makes it great in its own right. With 13 #1 hits to her name, Rihanna surely isn’t starving for another hit. ‘FourFiveSeconds’ sounds like a major artistic progression and gives off the impression that Rihanna is aiming for more critical acclaim versus commercial success. In recent memory, the last musical risk that made substantial impact on music culture, as a whole, was Beyonce’s self-titled album. With the introduction of ‘FourFiveSeconds’ to the world, Rihanna has what it takes to create a new shift in the current state of Pop music. Furthermore, ‘FourFiveSeconds’ sparks a hope for change. I’m not advocating for artists to completely abandon their respective sounds, but to be open to experimenting instead of playing it safe. Whether Rihanna’s risk with ‘FourFiveSeconds’ was effective or not is yet to be determined.
If anything, the release of ‘FourFiveSeconds’ was needed, appreciated, and arguably just what Rihanna needed to help solidify herself as a future legend. It would be an amazing experience to hear her album continue with this acoustic-folk feel. On the opposite end of the spectrum, it would be a feat to hear an album that’s sonically cohesive but does not necessarily sound like ‘FourFiveSeconds’. All in all, Rihanna has me, and many others, excited to see what she will bring to the table next. This will be the album to finally set her apart from the current league of pop girls in the music industry. I can confidently say that I believe she’s up to the challenge and will deliver us a refreshing piece of art in the coming months.
Rihanna, welcome back!
