After four years Rihanna’s long awaited eighth album, ANTI, has finally graced our ears. She announced the album in early October, along with a Dior ad campaign and the albums’ interesting artwork. The album was met with much anticipation and is filled with various production from Travis Scott, Timbaland, Thaddis “Kuk” Harrell, and many more. The album is a creative change for Rihanna as she deviates from her usual style and blends pop, dancehall, and rock.

The album starts with “Consideration” featuring SZA, an upbeat bop with a beat reminiscent to Tyler, The Creator’s “Yonkers.” With its R&B and pop influences and Rihanna and SZA’s blended vocals, this song is a hit.

“James Joint” is a 2-minute soulful mini-ballad with James Fauntleroy influences. Rihanna’s smooth voice and these relaxing piano riffs give us a ‘chill’ vibe.

“Kiss It Better,” deals with an off-beat couple who argue and make up constantly. Rihanna delivers a wide range of vocals on this power ballad, while being accompanied by an electric guitar and synths. This song has more of a rock vibe that diversifies the album.

“Work” featuring Drake, the only single on the album, is a rhythmic dancehall song that makes any person want to dance like Rihanna. Written by Partynextdoor, the song gives us soft dancehall vibes while adding some radio-friendly pop, the perfect mixture for a hit single. The song is mostly sang in Bajan English and or Jamaican Patois.

“Desperado” is a seemingly soft rock-ish song with a Western movie sounding effect. The song, which sounds like it should appear on the soundtrack of a Quinten Tarantino movie, is reminiscent of songs on Rihanna’s previous album Rated R. Rihanna’s raspy tone accompanies this beat perfectly. It’s the second song with a heavy rock influence and is an excellent tune.

“Woo,” glaringly produced by rapper Travis Scott, is a chill bop with a bouncy feel to it. With Travis on “woos” Rihanna delivers the song in a raspy and slightly rough, yet soft tone. It makes for an amazing dance song and brings Rih-Rih’s Loud era back to life.

“Needed Me” is a DJ Mustard produced bass filled banger. The song is obviously for the radio, but also presents some inner album qualities and has a laid-back, R&B feel to it. The song signifies a girl’s need for independence and control.

“Yeah, I Said It” provides a transition to a softer, more slow jam feel to the album. It’s a song created for relaxing vibes. It’s a greatly appreciated change for Rihanna, and frankly I wish the song was longer.

“Same Ol’ Mistakes,” a cover of “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” by Tame Impala, is a slow indie groove that is very different from Rihanna’s usual style. She shifts her audience to a more alternative sound while giving us “walking on the beach, thinking about life” vibes. While her cover doesn’t deviate much from the original, it’s great nonetheless. Who knew she liked Tame Impala?

“Never Ending” is an acoustic song about new love reminiscent of Dido’s “Thank You” (who is a co-writer on the song). It’s a beautiful song (one my favorite on the album) and shows off Rihanna’s vocal talent while aiding as a soundtrack to your corny teenage love affair.

“Love On The Brain” is an Etta James-type love ballad full of passionate vocals that send chills down your spine and reminds you of the vulnerability of desperate love. It’s torturous yet heartwarming.

“Higher” is a two minute love song similar to “Love On The Brain.” Its raspy, harsh delivery shows a lot of emotion. Although seemingly out of her vocal range, Rihanna still sings this song beautifully in a sense and makes us feel her angst.

“Close To You” (or “Stay” part two as I call it) is a piano ballad that makes us fall in love (with the song). It closes the album on a somber note, but reminds us to put ourselves out there and does it beautifully.

Overall the album is a creative redirection for Rihanna, but it’s beautifully compiled and was worth the wait. In my opinion it’s her best album yet.