Loving this new, mature sound direction. I think her big career defining moment is about to happen. Can't wait for the album.

I've never really understood the hype for Rhianna. I have heard some of her music but always found it a bit, well, noisy! but that's because I'm turning into an old git. If Madonna started out now as a young woman, I doubt I'd be overly impressed with her too. Music is generally bangs and bumps, thumps and bass these days, usually with a slight melody and mediocre vocals over the top. I do recognise however, that by 2020, Rhianna would have likely had more number 1 singles and more number 1 albums than Madonna has had. But that is because she releases songs like a sore bottom releases piles. If you take into consideration that during a ten year career Rhianna has released coming on for 8 albums. Madonna has only released 13 in her 30 year career! Quality over quantity I think.

Rihanna's albums always have mixed reactions and she is never a consistent seller. But I really like her albums. They will never be on par with someone like Madonna but then Rihanna is a very different artist than Madonna.

Totally agree. Here are her latest snippets from her new album:

Higher:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/ne...nd-higher.html

American Oxygen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9Zw7KQAElY

And I'm case anyone missed the song she released for the "Home" soundtrack:

Towards the Sun:
http://youtu.be/MPQdQd7vY1g

I'd say LOUD is probably better than a few Madonna albums.

I could not disagree more

Loud was so rushed and full of manufactured factory standard hits, I think it's one of her weakest efforts. It was a ploy to win her fans back after the dark and less commericial Rated R

I don't think it was rushed really. Not compared to Talk That Talk. The Loud era was one of her most polished imo. The thing is that's what people want as it's one of her better selling albums. I think Rated R is her best album by far but it didn't sell that well. I don't expect this album to sell brilliantly either but as a fan I care more about the quality and judging by the snippets this album will deliver that.

Yes I love Towards The Sun. It highlights how much her voice is improving too. She can really sing now!

Loud was a complete mess.

not a consistent seller?? are you ifor real?
In the US:
Rated R - million seller
Loud - million seller
Talk that talk - million seller
Unapologetic - million seller

I am on about worldwide

and last time i checked, I am real.

Well maybe you should have stated that.

I would say that Rihanna is very consistent on a worldwide basis. This new album will be a test as she has been away for a while. The new material sounds very promising though.

It wouldn't surprise me if her newest album was one of her best. I was telling anyone who'd listen that she was desperately in need of a break after she relentlessly gave us album after album, releasing 4 albums in 4 years. It just felt like at that time she was running out of ideas, and her songs were starting to sound painfully uninspired.

Been 3 years now since her last album release, so hopefully the time off has done her some good.

I have been reading that she wants to continue experimenting and maturing as an artist. In fairness, she has always produced a variety of sound to her work in which she has delivered r and b sounds as well as dance music. For example, What's My Name is different to Only Girl in The World. I have always admired that about her.

Well like I said. I have a feeling she is about to blow everyone away. I always though Rihanna was super talented. Its just taken a while for it to really come through but I think she is about to hit her peak and in the process create some greatness.

Actually, I would add Rated R to being better than a few Madonna albums too. Loud and Rated R >> MDNA easily. I'd have to re-listen to some of the others, though.

I don't rate Loud but Rated R is defo better than both MDNA and Hard Candy.

Listen to Rihanna: "Dancing in the Dark" and "As Real as You and Me" from the "Home" soundtrack:

http://www.rap-up.com/2015/03/19/new...as-you-and-me/

She sounds incredible on the second track.

LOL I love her mockney accent on Dance In The Dark!

This girl continues to impress me. I think Rihanna is about to become even bigger than she already is!

I was thinking the same thing .

Fourfiveseconds and towards the sun are utter tripe so I reckon this album will be crap. Her singles are usually good, and apart from Rated R her albums are usually naff, so when she can't even make good singles I don't have high expectations

Fortyfive seconds and Towards the sun are from seperate albums.

But FourFiveSeconds has done well in the charts. It didn't reach number 1 but it's shown staying power which is better imo. I wasn't keen at first but it's a grower and most people I've spoken to like it because it's different from what we usually hear in the charts and from Rihanna.

Rihanna has said that she wants this album to be "timeless" and to put songs on it which she can still perform in 15 years time. Apparently she doesn't enjoy performing many of her songs live anymore as they don't feel like her. I'm not expecting a crowd pleaser of an album with club hits like Only Girl or We Found Love, but I expect her vocals to shine.

I personally think fourfiveseconds is one of the worsts songs I've ever heard, and reckon it's only done well because of the big names involved