The saucy Barbados native who once gave us mega hits like Disturbia, Pon De Replay and Umbrella, seems to have lost her shine ever since the domestic violence case with lover Bobby Brown last year. But she’s back with a follow-up to ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ (May 2007).

The twelve and a half R& B – pop tracks are not the dance type for those looking for her trademark work which she is known for. Rather they are pieces are far from her earlier tunes that had large doses of great grooves and memorable melodies. The singer, who very often is compared to Janet Jackson for her looks and her music, leaves you stranded on the dance floor, but makes an album that you just cannot ignore.

Opening the album is a 90 second intro called Mad House an interlude on her past glories. Then follows the R, be it for Rihanna or her life in ‘reality’. The slow paced Photographs has BEPs singer will.i.am who uses the auto-tune to his benefit, while the Latin influenced Te Amo is beautiful and a mix of various musical genres.

In addition to fellow Def Jam artist Ne-Yo who wrote and produced Russian Roulette, the other producers and writers on Rihanna's album include the team of The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, Chase and Status, Stargate, Justin Timberlake and more. Fire Bomb is a violent song that could fit in a ballad. It's very popish and addictive and speaks about the emotion of revenge. Her personal life unfolds in the ballad, probably the only one on this play list Stupid in love with lyrics like, "I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid in love…..." This track truly exemplifies the emotions of Rihanna, probably taking a leaf from her love affair gone sour.

Rihanna has always had a high when it comes to vocals. The once shy 17 year old who was discovered by music producer Evan Rogers, excels on vocals on this album. Robyn Rihanna Fenty’s vocals are still crisp, sharp and have varying degrees of rhythm keeping with her tracks momentum. The excellent background vocals supplement the music and beats all through the album. Wait Your Turn is very reggae style with Rihanna's voice. Firebomb and Hard (featuring Jeezy) both have good chorus probably the most memorable. Te Amo has Latin influences running all over with Ri’s sexy voice lapping it up neatly.

Russian Roulette the leadoff single backed by a good piano and bass beats. The dark, scary background piano gives this ballad an edge for a rewind. Look out for the gun shot. Hard comes in good with rapping verses by Jeezy. Rihanna also babbles to a crisp beat all over. The chorus is probably the most memorable part here. Rockstar 101 featuring Slash is a rocker in her own way. The slow paced Photographs has BEPs singer will.i.am who uses the auto-tune to his benefit, while the Latin influenced Te Amo is beautiful and a mix of various musical genres. There’s also the sex fuelled Rude Boy quite fun, backed by a Jamaican vibe, most likely inspired from Rihanna's small island roots. Firebomb has good effects with sirens and crackling fire at the end of the song.

The multi-platinum, award-winning Def Jam recording artists’ fourth studio album will take a few listens to get a hold on you, for it is an amazing piece of work by a young person, if you minus the slight down slide of the album in certain areas. 'Rated R' will probably divide the fans; some picking the album because it is different, and some to just check her feelings after the pre – Grammy fist off. All said and done, Rihanna has pulled away from her past and is in control of her music and her life once again.

Rating: ****

By Verus Ferreira