Rihanna’s Powerful ‘Russian Roulette’ Ballad

Fans know Rihanna has been spending many hours locked up in the studio ever since the intensely mediated February incident with Chris Brown. Fans also know that, on the album that drops this November, the singer will tackle some topics on which she has a lot to say, domestic violence also presumably being among them. “Russian Roulette,” the first single off the “Rated R” album is just that: confirmation that Rihanna has matured both in terms of approach and sound, Consequence of Sound says.

The track was released on Rihanna’s official website and has, since then, spread on most music-oriented, online publications. Given the subject she sings about, it’s no wonder it has already created some controversy, especially since the consensus seems to be it’s about an abusive relationship. To match the more serious approach (this is a far cry from “Pon Da Replay” and “Umbrella”), critics also note a growth and an improvement in terms of vocals. Rihanna is more confident, her voice more filled with emotion and, at the same time, more powerful.

“Whilst she doesn’t go for the jugular, Mr. Brown’s influence is written all over this record (‘And you can see my heart beating/You can see it through my chest/And I’m terrified but I’m not leaving’). The song opens with a guitar solo, quickly eclipsed by a continuous bass beat. Rihanna’s vocals are high in the mix, presumably a result of her voice improving – a year of touring can work wonders. […] As if we needed reminding, the song begins to fire up before being ended by a solitary gunshot. The single’s artwork is similar, in that it’s provocative, displaying the Barbadian singer wrapped in barbed wire and wearing a bizarre eye-patch.” CoS writes in a review of the track.

There is also some talk of a Lady Gaga influence, given her reference in “Poker Face” that, “Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun,” with Rihanna seemingly taking that and making an entire song based on the imagery. Said line was edited out for airplay in Gaga’s song, which might very well mean that Rihanna’s “Russian Roulette” won’t get to be played on the radio either. If it does make it on airwaves, then it will certainly be a victory for the singer in terms of raising awareness on domestic violence – if that’s what this song is all about.

And it could very well be. Ne-Yo, who worked with Rihanna on the song, on the lyrics and production, was saying not long ago that, “The best and safest way I can say this is that Rihanna has some stuff to say and she’s going to say it. And she ain’t going to make no apologies for it… I’ve heard a good majority of the album… world, get ready. That’s all I’m going to say: World, get ready.”

Below is the full track. Listen and make up your own mind whether it is a hit or miss.