Rihanna Shines On New Single "Diamonds" [Review]

Ever since Rihanna entered the realm of the pop world, she has successfully managed to reinvent herself, musically and image-wise. Although her critics beg to differ and point out that Rihanna's image overshadow's her music and voice, nobody can deny Rihanna's knack for cranking out great pop songs. When she wants to, she can churn out a good pop song that sounds fresh ("Umbrella", "Rude Boy", "What's My Name") or a generic tune ("Where Have You Been", "Only Girl (In The World)", "We Found Love"), which undoubtedly still sounds better than most songs mutating the charts. 

When she was not giving you camaraderie and frienship on "Umbrella", Rihanna threw you shades of Illuminati princess on "Russian Roulette" and 80's hopeless romantic-meets-dance on "We Found Love". Now, the Princess of the Billboard Hot 100 has decided to leave the "nah nah nah's" back in Ester Dean's pocketbook and hired Sia to write lyrics which has substance (excuse the pun) and Stargate and Benny Blanco for production duties. 

"Diamonds" is Rihanna shining during her finest moment, buttering her haunting tone with Sia's enunciation. Interesting enough, Rihanna displays a vocal growth that many expected her not to have, especially when she prepares herself to lower her vulnerability closer to the song's chorus, "So shine bright, tonight you and I". It's almost as if she helplessly convinces her partner that they're a match made in heaven, just like this song is to our ears.

Shockingly enough, the lyrical maturity and melody seems to be the true star of the song. Rihanna has opted to focus on a theme that's able to brighten us, or leave us feeling like a diamond in the rough. This song was clearly written by Sia and will become one of her biggest written singles to date.

Prepare to roll up one, sit back, and watch Rihanna continue her reign as Billboard's Princess of the Billboard Hot 100.

Rating: 4 shiny diamond blunts

NEW SMASH: Nelly Furtado - "Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)"

Nelly Furtado is still the same promiscuous woman that we were introduced to a few years ago, except this time she's conformed to pop society's rules of crafting sexually-agrresive tunes that promote a healthy living. Yes folks, Nelly is back...raunchier and hornier than ever!

Nelly reintroduces herself in the form of a urban-pop banger, "Big Hoops (Bigger Is Better)". This serves as the first single off her new album, 'The Spirit Indestructable', set for a June 19 release date. It will be Nelly's first English album since 6 years ago when she burned down careers with her classic album 'Loose'. I'm expecting some bilinguilism on this album with some special flamenco bangers!

Rita Ora Premieres The Tinie Tempah-Assisted "R.I.P."

Rita Ora is really creating a buzz for herself. After getting the opportunity to premier her amazing single “How We Do (Party)” on Z100, Rita is prepping to rule the UK charts with her new Tinie Tempah-assisted single “R.I.P.”.

Written by Drake and produced by Stargate and Chase & Status, the track finds Rita confessing that she’s a changed girl and that she’s pursuing the guy of her dreams.

Review: Madonna Premieres "Girl Gone Bad"

Madonna still thinks she’s 23 y’all! By the looks of things, 'MDNA' seems like it’s going to be one of her most uninspired records to date. We all know that “Give Me All Your Luvin’” was record to connect with the younger audience, who saw right through Madonna and refused to support the rather “reductive” track.

Now she’s taking inspiration, or blatantly ripping off her own sound from her ‘Confessions On A Dancefloor’ album with her new single. Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you “Girl Gone Wild”.

John Mayer Premieres "Shadow Days"

John Mayer is back! After almost two years of absolutely no music, John finally makes his grand return to the music scene. The new single “Shadow Days” premiered a few days ago – and boy is it good!

The thing I loved about John’s previous album, “Battle Studies”, was that it leaned a bit more to the acoustic-country sound. The thing is you could hear that it was not his best album and we were let with a one-dimensional sounding album.

Single Review: Rita Ora - "Party and Bullsh*t"

In the “glamorous” world called the music industry, every artist is expected to be developed by a record label. A distinctive sound is supposed to be created to help us distinguish between the plenteous artists that pollute radio stations. Once an image and sound is produced, the expectancy from record executives is that an abundance of money will be brought in.

Sometimes it takes more than just talent to make it big (something R&B fans cannot comprehend). Sometimes the public wants someone with a distinctive voice, whether it is weak or lacking in range is not their concern, which is able to keep their attention for a duration of time exceeding those of teeny bop fans. Sometimes we just want a star. No matter how distinctive your voice is, the public will always compare you to other artists. In this case, we introduce you to Rita Ora.

Usher Hits The Right Spots On "Climax"

After enduring a year of electro-pop songs from the indisputable R&B prince Usher, we were starting to ponder whether we’d receive any R&b classics in the lane of “There Goes My Baby” or “Burn”. After teaming up with Diplo to tackle the world of “Rev Pop” Usher has finally released a great song!

“Climax” is the chilly sensual song that any urban artist struggles to create. It fuses the bassline and icy synths that pop radio would appreciate with gentle dabbing mellow melodies. He even adds hints dubstep to garner  some credibility for pushing the almost-generic genre. 

Drake Makes "Headlines" With New Single

 

After teasing fans with leaks from recording sessions of “Take Care”, Young Money artist Drake has finally debuted the lead single, “Headlines”.

Opening with some striking horns, the track finds Drake rapping about his accomplishments, before bragging about his riches and calling out “soap opera rappers” (oh, the irony). It’s the typical Drake lyrics, meaning that some of us will be rapping to it in a few days time, while others will be using the lyrics as quotes on facebook.

Listen to you expressing all them feelings
Soap opera rappers all these niggas sound like All My Children
And that's how you thinking is about to come and make a killing
I guess it really is just me, myself, and all my millions

Now “Headlines” is not “Marvin’s Room” and is not going to break any new grounds, but it serves its purpose of keeping hip-hop head fans satisfied while also trying to please his R&B fanbase.

With the leaks that we were given and Drake bragging about working with indie artists (Florence Welsh and The xx), you’d expect more from “Headlines”. At first it’s disappointing, but with a few more spins you’ll be hooked. It’s the same incident with “Over”.

Make sure you get “Take Care” when it’s released on October 24, 2011.