Let’s face it, it’s every song on Rated R, an impromptu thread by me: https://twitter.com/legendarihhhh/status/1382703149467774984

Mad House - the song has two purposes. One is to set the tone for the album which it does exceptionally well by bringing it into the state of hurt, anger, madness. Second is to express the edge of life she feels at that point, how easy it is to lose yourself completely. (1/2)

That is expressed by the instrumentals, the arrangement and her vocals mainly. It creates suspense, leads you to the darkness, which the mental and emotional state of the album. She’s inviting us to see how crazy she’s gone, dares us to see it, and, naturally, we go in willingly.

Wait your turn. Step 1: Rihanna breaking into the game, showing us what level she is on, a force to be reckoned with. The empowering message is delivered by the contrast between rough verses and the climb-like chorus, symbolizing the roller-coaster you experience while playing.

Hard. Step 2: she has already told us that she’s her own player, now she’s relishing at the sickening feeling of power & control she’s gained, also hinting at the fact that she is in fact high maintenance and is not ashamed one bit (no woman should be). Essentially, no apologies.

Side note: the message of being fearless, unapologetic, open and overt in her dominance id delivered by both vocals, the production and the imageries in the lyrics, one phrase after another. It makes up for a feeling and visions of night cities that you control. Also, the beat>>.

Stupid in love. We already know she played the game and won, she’s an incredibly smart woman who starts beating herself up because when it comes to love, she’s vulnerable and hurt, now she feels like a fool. This is the first song that addresses the man, not the public, (1/2)

which makes it more self-reflective and personal. The lyrics, the instrumentals and the vocals are what create a very concrete picture of an internal dialogue she is having with the man. Strings create a sensitive complexity, lyrics tell the whole story, vocals are raw emotion. +

Side note: it’s important to point out that during the bridge she finds power again, saying that she won’t feel guilty for his mistakes (yes!!!) and that he is the one who lost her and lost this life. A great transition to the next song - Rockstar.

Rockstar 101. A woman who knows exactly who she is and acts like it. The song heavily relies on the beat&vocal delivery that offer a careless abandon to the listener who tries on the skin of a true rockstar inhaling the night air, ready to stay there forever, knowing: she’s good.

Russian roulette. The song is plain genius. Every single aspect transmits the animosity of the situation while remaining one of the most emotional songs ever. It’s a perfect song because if you open the lyrics and read them like a poem, you will feel like you are in the room (+)

held at gunpoint, and you got yourself there. If you listen to the instrumentals only, you will feel like you’re holding the gun and are about to pull the trigger. If you only listen to the vocals (let’s imagine she only does vowels), you will feel like somebody is in your house+

about to end your life. All of it creates a clear picture: Russian Roulette is about going into the game and realizing you can die, blaming yourself for being there, feeling like there’s an intruder in your home, facing the worst, ready to accept what comes.

Fire bomb. After being scared for life, coming to terms with your position, you break away from that. If u going down, they (in cursive: he) going down with u. This song relays a desperation so extreme that it’s powerful. Vocals, instrumentals paint a tired hero before our eyes.

Rude boy. Again, you are you, and you are free. You live your life to the fullest, nothing can make you shatter. You dare them to come and try though, you know you are the main player here. This is your life, your body, and the beat & the arrangement let you know that.

Photographs. You made it out, yet can’t help but reminisce what you have survived and what got you there in the first place, a pure start to a void of plain darkness and enmity. You try to make sense of things, which is a story told bu the lyrics, (1/2)

+ but the gentle vocal approach is what conveys the emotion behind the song.

G4L. The song is an anthem that needs no explanation, because the delivery is god tier in every way possible. “This is a gang, ladies thang”, “You know I’m down for life”, “We’re an army, better yet – a navy”. The annular composition highlights how this is a full-circle deal, +

you’re in it for life and you’re happy for it.

Te amo. This is you encountering feelings again, in the confused and overwhelming state after getting hurt. The latin vibe showcases not only that the song is highly personal and is a tribute to someone, but that this is all passion, like a dance you’re swayed into and know so, +

so well, but learning the steps again. Repetition is the most significant device here as “Te amo” and the questions that haunt you with these words are what haunts you as you try to face the concept of love from a side you haven’t been on yet: the indifferent partner. The vocals+

linger on the edges carrying the weight of the situation. You didn’t expect this to be a heavy thing, and out of the blue you are before what you ran away from, except now you are the one involuntarily hurting somebody. You’re talking about love again.

Cold Case Love. Another flawless masterpiece. The lyrics are also a dialogue, like it was with Stupid in Love, but you don’t actually address anyone in a conversation. You sit, and you watch, and you reflect, and you realize that this is the love you had, what happened with it. +

The instrumentals are little breaths you take before you are strong enough to speak again. As you struggle to release yourself from this cold case love, you are on the verge of moving on. The vocal delivery translates the fear & bitterness you feel, the guitar solo - the angst.

The Last Song. Ending the story that brought you so much pain&strength, the instrumentals are the little steps you make as you turn on the last song. The backing vocals are the voice in your head. The chorus transforming into the bridge, the guitar is you letting go. You’re free.

Wow this was unexpectedly much. Anyways, the end.