REVIEW Rihanna - Rude Boy

Her album, Rated R has been credited as Rihanna’s exodus from pop into a rockier, edgier sound. Rude Boy isn’t rocky in the slightest, and is all the better for it. This summery track takes the singer back to her Caribbean roots with ragga and dancehall influences. The catchy backing has a steel-pan freshness, and the sultry pacing compliments this with a semblance of tongue-in-cheek indifference. The lyrics are definitely sleazy: 'Come here rude boy can you get it up/Come here rude boy, is you big enough?', but Ri’s monotone delivery is less begging, more indifferent; it’s the aural embodiment of a moody pout.

Up until a month ago, promotion involved Rihanna persistently faced with the looming spectre of the domestic abuse debaucle. With its strong sexuality, and an artsy promo video, Rude Boy confirms that she won't remain a poster-child for victimhood, or dwell moodily on her past, but re-assert herself as a powerful, and somewhat cocky young woman.

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This was originally written as part of a brief for a job application.

2009 in musics

I wanted to do a neat list compiling my favourite releases of this year. However, having bought one full album this year: Florence and the Machine's Lungs (twice), I am in no position to make a comprehensive list of anything apart from the ways in which I contribute to the demise of the record industry as we know it. But I'm going to give it a go, because this is my blog and I'm allowed to put whatever I want here. I could even write 'tinky' over and over again. Or start impersonating the writing style of one Charlie Brooker...hm. Anyway.

Best Album:

Florence and the Machine - Lungs

Best 'Grower':

Cheryl Cole - Fight for This Love

Best Music Video:

Lady Gaga - Bad Romance

(La Roux - I'm Not Your Toy gets an honourable mention)

Best Remix:

The Police - Message in a Bottle (Fresh Direct Remix)

Best Comeback:

Peaches - Talk To Me////Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll

Most overplayed remix*:

La Roux - In For the Kill (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix)

Most overplayed song*:

Major Lazer - Pon De Floor ft. Vybz Kartel

Cutest, purest song:

Mumford & Sons - White Blank Page

Best Live Act:

Have remembered now (12/01/10) and there are a few.

La Roux at Exeter Cavern

Fever Ray at Melt

Phoenix at Camp Bestival

Micachu and the Shapes at Field Day

Florence and the Machine at Bestival

putting paid to the fact I really love girls.

Best Change of musical direction:

Shakira - Shewolf

Most frequently seen act:

Erol Alkan

Best place I've played:

The Thatch Party (in-jokes all around)

Band I'd most like to see doing well in 2010:

Chew Lips

Band which will do well in 2010:

The xx

Best TV Talent competition contender:

Danyl Johnson/////RACHEL ADEDEJI

The song which most evokes memories of having no responsibilities:

Deadmau5 ft. Cascada - I Remember (Caspa Remix)

Best fad I've been turned around to liking after realising it is not directly linked to violence:

Dubstep.

*These songs are still bangers.