Anti | ||||
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Studio album by Rihanna | ||||
Released | January 28, 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2014–2016 | |||
Studio |
Various
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Genre | ||||
Length | 43:36 | |||
Label |
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Producer |
Various
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Rihanna chronology | ||||
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Singles from Anti | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 6.7/10 |
Metacritic | 73/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
The Daily Telegraph | |
Entertainment Weekly | A− |
The Guardian | |
The Independent | |
NME | 3/5 |
Pitchfork | 7.7/10 |
Rolling Stone | |
Spin | 7/10 |
Vice | A |
Anti is the eighth studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on January 28, 2016, through Westbury Road and Roc Nation. The singer began planning the record in 2014, at which time she left her previous label Def Jam and joined Roc Nation. Work continued into 2015, during which she released three singles including "FourFiveSeconds", which reached the top 10 in several markets; they were ultimately removed from the final track listing. Anti was made available for free digital download on January 28 through Tidal and was released to online music stores for paid purchase on January 29.
As executive producer, Rihanna contributed to most of the album's lyrics and collaborated with producers including Jeff Bhasker, Boi-1da, DJ Mustard, Hit-Boy, Brian Kennedy, Timbaland and No I.D. to achieve her desired sound. The efforts resulted in a departure from Rihanna's previous dance and club music genres and created a primarily pop and R&B album, with elements of dancehall and soul. The producers incorporated dark, sparsely layered, minimalist song structures, with most of Anti's lyrics dealing with the complexities of romantic love and self-assurance.