Rihanna's Anti 1st year anniversary

Christopher Polk/Getty Images for WESTBURY ROAD ENTERTAINMENT LLC
Rihanna at MAMA Gallery for  "ANTI" artwork release party on Oct. 7, 2015 in Los Angeles, Calif.  

    Anti was the most anticipated album for almost 3 years and it was definitely worth the wait; as it is Rihanna's most cohesive body of work yet. On this album Rihanna made timeless, quality songs that she likes; not the usual generic pop music she usually makes. This album has no trace of Stargate, Calvin Harris, or Sia, who she usually collaborates with on her records. On this record she incorporated multiple different genres into one album, while telling a story most women can relate to...A story of being in love; the highs the lows, and the words "I love you" and the regretted words "I hate you." Even the album packaging itself was extraordinary and creative, she featured 7 poems in braille; 2 poems were  featured on the front cover and the back and 5 more painted poems inside the album packaging.

    What some people called a "messy" release, but nobody actually ever knew when the album was going to drop, but Rihanna herself. Most people saw her 3 preview songs 'FourfiveSeconds', 'Bitch Better Have My Money,' and 'American Oxygen' as scrapped singles, but she stated via twitter that they were just a "Glimpse to her new music," what I like to call a the appetizer before the main course. Rihanna snagged a deal with $25 million dollar sponsorship deal with Samsung in 2015; which, made the album release extra special as it took us on a very intimate journey "Anti Diary." in some eyes' prolonged the release but it was apart of her story of getting where she was in her career and artistically. The Anti Diary ended with a reward of a free digital copy of anti, over 1.4 Million people were able to download Anti for free and of course there were the other 460 people who purchased Anti as an exclusive via Tidal before it even hit iTunes. Leave, Stargate, Calvin Harris, and Sia off of this album
  
    Rihanna didnt force any hits, but as she released singles they all became hits in their own way except the one that got away Kiss It Better, which peaked #62, it eventually went platinum and is now grammy nominated. Her first single Work peaked at #1 and is now 5x platinum. Needed Me which was dual released and out shined Kiss It Better and peaked at #7 and is now 3 platinum in the US. Her current single Love On The Brain is now #17 billboard and platinum in the US, with minimum to no promotion or acknowledgement by Rihanna or her label.
  
Track by Track Breakdown:

    She opens her album with Consideration with SZA. Great introduction, she gives us a glimpse of what the album will be about allowing us to know that she's in control..."Got to do things my own way darlin" she sings in her thick Barbadian accent. SZA and Rihanna's voice blend so well together, at times only way you can tell them apart is because of Rihanna's accent. She shows off her incredible head voice notes here as well.

    James Joint....the minute-long interlude, the shortness could remind one of how long the "i miss you" phase last in a toxic relationship. The minute long interlude was just enough.

    Kiss It Better layered with instruments and harmonized vocals details a love that got away, but she wants it back. It maybe bad but "who cares when it feel like crack." This song is so timeless. The beautiful electric guitar riffs made me believe the song was from the Purple Rain album. The song offers a catchy, yet chanting hook. "Kiss It Better baby."

    Accompanied by Drake, Work is a song that was needed on Anti, a song we could all dance and whine to. The dancehall flavored single fits well with the other songs of Anti because of the message of the song. She continues the love story by trying to fix a broken love, asking her love to put in "Work."

    Desperado...the western-style number that suggest that Rihanna isnt running away from this bad relationship....She's running towards it? "Got get up outta here, but you aint leaving me boy."

    Woo is a bit overly produced, making Rihanna sound like she's drowning in her words. She explains to her lover why she's better than the new girl he is on and how she still will be waiting on him. She is one call away all he has to do is "send for me." She thought she was over him, but she's not. Drowning in autotune she screams, "I dont mean to really care about you no more."

    Needed Me the self-empowering female anthem we all needed. This song will give you the confidence to leave any extra baggage behind. "Didn't they tell you I was a savage." Turning the album story around by allowing her lover to know that he/she needed her.

    The seductive Yeah, I Said It puts you in a hypnotic trance, with the arousing vocals of "Yeah, I said babe." She lets her sexual lover know she doesnt need any strings attached as she says "we dont need a title" throughout the song.

    Same Ol' Mistakes a cover of Tama Impala's New Person, Same Old Mistakes; even though, the song really focuses on the dreamy, relaxed vibe, Rihanna gave her best impression of Tame Impala's Kevin Parker falsetto notes even though most of the lyrics she sings are inaudible. One of the most standout songs on the entire Anti album because of the rock experimental sound.

     Never Ending such a intricate acoustic ballad reminiscent of Dido's "Thank You" medley, the song deals with various aspects of love; including the conflicting feelings out being love after a distressing break-up and being alone.

    Love On The Brain the doo-wop ballad that samples the 60's song "Chained and Bound" describes a toxic, abusive relationship; an abusive relationship that can may be emotional and/or physical. She describes her lover hurting her, but she just can't get enough of his love. She describes a repeating cycle of him hurting her just so he can "put her back together" and do it all over again. It hurts, but she still doesn't want them to be over...She's so deeply in love that she'll do anything for his love. Rihanna truly emotes on this track you can hear very bit of emotion through every airy note she lets out.

    Opening with violins, Higher gets your eyes filled with tears right before the tears are able to fall Rihanna raspy, drunken vocals fades and the violin finishes the songs. The song length represents the drunken conversation you finally get to have with your lover but they notice you're intoxicated and hangs up. While listening to the song, you could picture Rihanna with an almost empty bottle of Whiskey, crying with a joint burning calling her ex lover. She embraces her vocal imperfections, by belting out these raw and raspy notes.

    Rihanna closed the album with a spectacular, piano ballet Close To You. The Piano medley is backed by her gentle vocals. The song is a great way to end an album about the highs and loves of love toxic relationship.

Honorable Mentions: Kiss It Better, Love On The Brain, Needed Me.

Rihanna stated she wanted to make timeless music that she liked and she did just that. She took over and boosted her musical career putting out this kind of music, instead of the instant hit making generic pop music. She has proved you do not have to make generic, bubblegum pop music to get a hit. I am not sure she will be able to top this masterpiece of an album, but only time will tell. I am expecting R9 to be a continuation of Anti.


Happy ANTiversary!!!!!!