Unapologetic
by Rihanna
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Nov 19, 2012
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
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  1. AllMusic
    Nov 19, 2012
    70
    While this is a fine, if uneven album, the only way to enjoy a significant portion of it is by taking it as pure entertainment.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Nov 26, 2012
    70
    Unapologetic makes a compelling case for Rihanna knowing what she's doing. This most compelling of pop phenomena still has something new to offer.
  3. Rolling Stone
    Nov 20, 2012
    70
    Unapologetic's stark, shadowy R&B is confrontationally honest and sung within an inch of its life.
  5. Spin
    Nov 28, 2012
    70
    The now-24-year-old's voice may be simple, but it's distinctive--and as defiant as her album titles.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    Nov 16, 2012
    83
    The album is far less defiant than its title suggests, with just as many lovely moments by the piano as there are dubstep-warped bangers.
  7. The New York Times
    Nov 20, 2012
    70
    The music is just as brutish and bruised; occasionally Rihanna shows up essentially unaccompanied, but most of her songs are built tough and layered. The songs that are the least texturally confrontational are also by far the least successful.
  8. Billboard.com
    Nov 19, 2012
    86
    Unapologetic is Rihanna's most confident, emotionally resonant work since 2009's "Rated R.
  9. Chicago Tribune
    Nov 19, 2012
    63
    Talk about a mixed message. Even Rihanna sounds confused.

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2012
13
#13 Most Shared Album of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 755 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 496 out of 755
  2. Mixed: 102 out of 755
  3. Negative: 157 out of 755
  1. fleurieryyt
    Nov 19, 2012
    10
    An album wonderful, with different rhythms and genres, for all tastes, rihanna risked, innovated and was perfect! with deep lyrics and vocallyAn album wonderful, with different rhythms and genres, for all tastes, rihanna risked, innovated and was perfect! with deep lyrics and vocally evolved, I deserved my note 10 to this wonderful singer Rihanna!… Full Review »
  2. dontell08
    Nov 19, 2012
    10
    Too many people are basing this album off of Rihanna's history and situation. This is an amazing album and I'm not saying that because I likeToo many people are basing this album off of Rihanna's history and situation. This is an amazing album and I'm not saying that because I like her as an artist but because she really gave her all on this album and it shows. She is one of the few rare artists that can create an album with so many sounds and still sound genuine. On this album, she has pop-rock (What Now), torch (Stay), reggae (No Love Allowed), Hip-hop (Phresh Out the Runway), R&B (Jump),80's rock (Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary), disco (Nobodies Business), and even a little bit of jazz (Get It Over With). The problem is too many people are basing this album solely off of the one song with Chris Brown which I think is pretty decent. If this album was by any other artist, there would be no hesitations to call this album of the year. I don't get it. When her voice is weak, they say she needs more power. When she's too innocent, they say she needs an edge. When she sings about sex all the time, she sings more about love. When they say she can't perform live, she blows them away. Now that she's proven how great of artist, people want to point out little petty things like how she doesn't write her own lyrics or her duet with Chris Brown. Not everyone can write their own lyrics and Rihanna is showing that she is a SINGER. And her duet with Chris Brown was spot on, that is NOBODIES BUSINESS but their own. Leave her life out of it ad just enjoy the music for what it is. At the end of the day, I'm glad she is Unapologetic about being herself because God knows people will judge her regardless so even trying to remotely care will only leave her in misery.… Full Review »
  3. am2990
    Nov 21, 2012
    5
    By far her worst album. Only a few good songs on it like the duet with chris brown and David guetta, the rest are dire!
    Stop Rihanna and come    By far her worst album. Only a few good songs on it like the duet with chris brown and David guetta, the rest are dire!
    Stop Rihanna and come back in a few years time.    … Full Review »
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