The debate on who actually owns the title as "Princess of Pop" is very much a heated one. Some will say it belongs to Lady Gaga. Others feel Rihanna is deserving of the title and rightfully so. Her recent highs include three number one Billboard Hot 100 Chart singles off her Good Girl Gone Bad album and winning her first Grammy for monster smash Umbrella in 2008. These victories were overshadowed though by her name being splashed allover the news after a violent altercation this past February with then-boyfriend Chris Brown. And let's not forget about the surfacing of those self-taken suggestive photos on the internet.Rihanna's big return single Russian Roulette from upcoming fourth album Rated R (November 23, 2009) isn't quite what I was expecting. The Ne-Yo-produced single shows a much darker side of Rihanna we aren't accustomed to and perhaps this is simply a phase the singer is encountering at this stage in her life. Early press releases from Universal/Def Jam have hinted this album will showcase a maturer side of Rihanna and this single is about her "passing her most difficult test" yet and having to do it publicly; she is "terrified".
This track is definitely a grower, although I won't deny that I'm a little underwhelmed. I do appreciate its lyrical honesty and that she is sharing a piece of her heart with us. I will also point out that Rihanna's vocals have improved significantly since her poor showing on earlier single Unfaithful. I look forward to hearing more off this album.
For a full preview of Rihanna's Russian Roulette (courtesy of Universal Music/Def Jam) listen below:
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