Rihanna - Rated R (click to enlarge)
If there was any doubt that Rihanna is the 2009 version of Grace Jones, the cover for her highly anticipated fourth album, Rated R, clears any trace of confusion.
The 21-year-old Bajan beauty goes a bit gothic-emo wearing dark lipstick, her eyes perfectly lined, and one hand covering one eye as she peers into the camera. It’s a shot that warns listeners that a new, edgier Rihanna is about to take flight, so get ready for the ride.
The cover photo was shot by famed photographer Ellen von Unwerth who gushed over the pop megastar’s on-set manner, saying she’s “so beautiful, sweet and tough at the same time — and a pleasure to shoot.”
Rated R will be in stores November 23. The dark first single, “Russian Roulette,” can be heard here.
credit: Popeater
VERY dark and disturbing! I hope her new album will be an edgier Good Girl Gone Bad to the next level. I love Riri but right now she needs to calm down with all this over the top new attitude. I think she wants to get our attention to say that she has emerged into this new person and artist, but don’t take it over the top! I am all about taking chances, risks, being bold, and different, but for some reason I am not too excited. I hope the next single will be better, and she proves that the album is an exciting edgier sound instead of depressing. Why can’t she make songs like her collaborations “Run This Town” and “Live Your Life.” Why is that so hard Riri?
Making songs like Run This Town or Live Your Life, would feel like she’s playing it safe, or repeating the same generic stuff just to get higher sales. However, this album is a BIG risk. For all included : Rihanna, the record label, the songwriters, etc. But I think she’ll attract newer fans (like me! lol) who are interested in this darker style the album has. Regardless, I feel like this is going to be her weakest release commercially. I mean how many radio stations would play a song like Russian Roulette? On a related note, I LOVE the album cover.