SHAZAM

Loud, Rihanna's fifth studio album, is a significant change of pace from 2009’s platinum Rated R. While much of Rated R was a cathartic and dark, Loud is relatively lighthearted and geared for dancefloors. It’s led by the sleek, euphoric, and up-front “Only Girl (In the World),” produced by StarGate. Overall, the album efficiently balances Rihanna’s playful and sinister sides. One song that sounds nothing like anything else in her past is “Skin,” a contender for anti-gravity slow jam of the year. The album also features collaborations with Timbaland, Taio Cruz, Alex da Kid, Drake, Sean Garrett, and Ne-Yo. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi