8. Higher
Cheers.
The popstar is on the verge of sing-screaming on this one yet somehow makes it work given the context:
Let's stay up late and smoke a J/ I wanna go back to the old way/ But I'm drunk and still with a full ash tray/ With a little bit too much to say
Might take a few listens to get used to, but I can already see this being a popular karaoke request.
Oh-oh-oh s***/ So-oh-oh rich/ Fired up, loaded/ Ah, pose, bitch!
"Pose" is by far the catchiest song on the album and sung in true bad gal fashion. Rihanna brags about being a boss and slayin heauxes while they hate.
Ironically, this is sure to be the anthem for a lot of broke bitches.
P.S. Only Rihanna could make being "flaccid" sound hot (you have to hear it to believe it)
6. Close to You
Just broke up with your ex? Skip this track or be prepared to turn on the waterworks:
No, you don't need my protection/ But I'm in love, can't blame me for checking/ I love in your direction, hoping that the message goes/ Somewhere close to you
This is easily the most heartbreaking song on the album and her vulnerability can be felt with every word. Let's just hope this beautiful ballad isn't directed to He Who Must Not Be Named...
5. Consideration
I got to do things my own way darling/ Will you ever let me/ Will you ever respect me? No/ Do things my own way darling/ You should just let me/ Why you ain't ever let me grow?
Rihanna makes it very clear on this track, featuring SZA, her frustrations concerning others attempting to stifle her growth as an artist. As the first track on the album, it perfectly sums up why she chose to venture into untrodden territory on ANTI. Given how amazing their voices sound together, here's to hoping that these vocalists pair up again in the future.
4. Sex With Me
Two words: Five fingers
3. Needed Me
Riri's not here to "Take Care" of any man's heart:
But baby, don't get it twisted/ You was just another ni**a on the hit list/ Tryna fix your inner issues with a bad bitch/ Didn't they tell you that I was a savage?/F*** ya white horse and ya carriage/ Bet you never could imagine/ Never told you you could have it
Rejoice, ladies! Gotta love how she turns the tables with this one #WasteHisTime2016
2. Work
Him ah go act like he nuh like it/ You know I dealt with you the nicest/ Nuh body touch me you nuh righteous/ Nuh body, text me in a crisis/ I believed all of your dreams, adoration/ You took my heart and my keys and my patience/ You took my heart on my sleeve for decoration/ You mistaken my love I brought for you for foundation
That Bajan accent tho [insert heart eyed emoji here]. The first single off ANTI, featuring longtime collaborator Drake, is where the singer shines even though half the song is barely comprehensible.
1. Love on the Brain
Rihanna is no stranger to toxic relationships:
Must be love on the brain/ That's got me feeling this way/ It beats me black and blue but it f***s me so good/ And I can't get enough
Those lyrics? Given her history, they're the epitome of not giving a single f*** of public opinion.
Her range is serious on this track, which is arguably the best display of her voice on the entire album.
ANTI and ANTI (Deluxe) are available now on iTunes, Apple Music, TIDAL, and Pandora. The physical CD will be available everywhere on February 5.