Confusion, clutter, and calamity. Rihanna‘s roll-out of new album ‘ANTI’ has been defined by all over the last year. And the mess shows no signs of letting up – despite rare glimpses of hope over the last few months.
In a bid to put a year’s worth of poorly performing singles, start-stop release strategies, and all around disaster behind her, Rih announced the title of the LP and revealed its cover back in October. She also confirmed a tour with actual dates to boot.
However, it’s now been revealed that the model hasn’t even finished recording – a fact which puts the plausibility of a 2015 arrival into doubt.
Details below…
The news came courtesy of Sia, who penned chart-topping ‘Diamonds’ for Rih back in 2012.
Speaking with BBC Radio 2’s Jo Wiley in support of new album ‘This Is Acting’ (due January 29th), the hit vendor revealed that the Bajan beauty had met with her regarding songs for the set as recently as this week.
Confirming that she’d never properly met Rih before (…), the singer/songwriter says that all changed when they touched base re ‘ANTI’:
“She came over to my house for the first time the other night.
I had never really met her before. I used to just send her the tracks. And so I had met her very briefly at SNL when she sung ‘Diamonds.’
She came over and listened to half of 25 songs I played her because she’s still looking for songs for her new album.
She was there clearly to listen to songs and see if there was anything she that was in to. It was a business meeting, for sure.
She took four songs, but I don’t know if they’ll end up on the record, I’m pretty sure I have one (placement) on the new album. But I don’t know if I’ll have more than that.” {Source}
Sigh. Just a mess.
It’s easy to claim that Rihanna is being a perfectionist, but the proof is in the pudding when it comes to this train-wreck of a campaign.
How can one release a cover for an album that is not finished? Surely the music takes priority over the image? What’s more, surely the music is supposed to dictate the image? How can that be when the material isn’t even finished yet?
Additionally, why – if the LP isn’t wrapped – activate the Samsung campaign, “unlocking” doors of nothing and aggravating fans in the process?
At this junction, it’s clear there’s a whole lot of scrambling going on. And the saddest part of it all, is that it never had to be like this. It’s as if Rih and her team have overthought and overcooked this whole process to the point that all is left is an air of disinterest even if the finished product is a five-star-meal.
Who’d have thought it: Rihanna – more effective releasing McAlbums than when trying to be a serious artist. We guess the answer lies in the “trying” part.