Unapologetic
by Rihanna
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Nov 19, 2012
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
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  1. juanselopez340
    May 14, 2023
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. No and no, yes it's good but I would have done better things, it was stagnant like their other albums… Expand
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 24, 2022
    3
    Despite three hit songs "what now" ,"Diamonds" &"stay" unapologetic is an overstuffed blurr of generic radio pop that just frustrates as a full bodied record. Her vocals are still good throughout but that can only do so much when the records fault seemingly outweigh it's promises
  3. AtmosphereHigh
    Aug 24, 2022
    10
    Bold, catchy, and self assured Unapologetic is Rihanna's most open and vulnerable album. She lays her heart bear for all to see. She doesn't care what we think, she's simply allowing herself to be known. There's something so beautiful in certain she is in herself. she sings about how she's lived and lost and how she's not afraid to do it again, but you best believe it'll be on her terms.
  4. rodq09
    Aug 24, 2022
    10
    Unapologetic is the reflection of the chameleon that Rihanna is with her music, she is always one step ahead in the industry. This excellent album is the blueprint of the self-titled album by Beyoncé and Bangerz by Miley Cyrus, not to mention that Rihanna once again set a trend during that time and artists are still using it as a reference. Thanks to this album Rihanna became the firstUnapologetic is the reflection of the chameleon that Rihanna is with her music, she is always one step ahead in the industry. This excellent album is the blueprint of the self-titled album by Beyoncé and Bangerz by Miley Cyrus, not to mention that Rihanna once again set a trend during that time and artists are still using it as a reference. Thanks to this album Rihanna became the first woman to win the contemporary album of the year at the GRAMMYs and that shows her excellent work.… Expand
  5. evermore13
    Nov 15, 2021
    3
    «Unapologetic» is by no means a bad album, it'd be nearly impossible to combine the music industry's best songwriters, producers and Rihanna's charismatic delivery and not create quality music. Nevertheless, as an album it has no real core, no real theme; unless you count “making hits” as a theme. However, if Sia's «Diamonds» is a sultry triumph, its character and uniqueness highlights the«Unapologetic» is by no means a bad album, it'd be nearly impossible to combine the music industry's best songwriters, producers and Rihanna's charismatic delivery and not create quality music. Nevertheless, as an album it has no real core, no real theme; unless you count “making hits” as a theme. However, if Sia's «Diamonds» is a sultry triumph, its character and uniqueness highlights the ultimately hollow pleasures of much around it.… Expand
  6. ihatextintapig
    Sep 3, 2021
    0
    este es por lejos su aborto mas asqueroso , que ya se retire pronto este trozo de mierda sin talento.
  7. Amirah
    Sep 3, 2021
    10
    An immediate sensation, filled with endless hits and fantastic music, birthing new styles and setting new trends as always. With stunning sweet ballads and catchy hip hop songs. The album is without a doubt infectious.
  8. arianagrande626
    May 8, 2021
    8
    Omg why are people hating on this album it's amazing! It's a hip hop, dance and R&B album. My favorites are Phresh Out The Runway, Diamonds, Loveeeeeee Song, Stay and No Love Allowed.
  9. Rehrihcritic88
    Nov 22, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Unapologetic is amazing love song's Love Vocal Love All Rihanna is a Really DIVA Unapologetic is perfec love love loveeee LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Ririh Queen… Expand
  10. fentytours
    Apr 20, 2021
    10
    I don't know how people think it's okay to hate on this album? This album is mixed but still a great album.
  11. Redrih
    Mar 2, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So underrated)
    Songs ranking 1. Love without tragedy/Mother Mary
    2. Numb 3. No love allowed
    4. Half of me
    5. Loveee Song
    6. Diamonds
    7. Nobody's Business 8. Lost in paradise
    9. Stay
    10. Pour it up
    11. Get it over with 12. What now
    13. Right now 14. Phresh out runway    … Expand
  12. PEDROMFR
    Feb 15, 2021
    7
    Definitely one of Rihanna's most mature album, which once more gave us memorable hits, like only Rihanna can give. Still missing some cohesion.
  13. JeremySpears
    Jan 7, 2021
    6
    Remember when Rihanna used to make music? Between 2009 and 2012 the pop icon released four albums back to back, one each year and would even go on tours for three of them. It worked incredibly well with "Rated R", "Loud" and "Talk That Talk" but I guess working nonstop had to have a bit of a negative effect on the output one day. And that sounds like I don’t like "Unapologetic" butRemember when Rihanna used to make music? Between 2009 and 2012 the pop icon released four albums back to back, one each year and would even go on tours for three of them. It worked incredibly well with "Rated R", "Loud" and "Talk That Talk" but I guess working nonstop had to have a bit of a negative effect on the output one day. And that sounds like I don’t like "Unapologetic" but compared to its predecessors which were also conceived in a short period it sounds inferior. There’s the bad **** R&B/hip-hop side of the album that contains of "Phresh Out the Runway", "Pour It Up" and "Numb".
    And there’s the dance pop and EDM side that consists of songs like "Right Now", "Jump" and "Nobody's Business".
    And there’s a third side that has all the pop ballads like "Diamonds", "Stay", "Half of Me" and "What Now" for example. I honestly could’ve done without "Loveeeeeee Song", "Get It Over With", "No Love Allowed" and "Lost In Paradise". The album drags a bit towards the end. "Unapologetic" sounds like Rihanna recorded three albums at the same time and then suddenly decided to throw all the material together to create one album. It’s not very cohesive and parts of it (the EDM ones) sound pretty dated now. However, it’s not a bad album overall and I connect a lot of good memories with this album. Nowadays, I don’t listen to this one a lot and it’s definitely one of Rihanna's weaker albums. "Diamonds" and "Stay" are gigantic hits and everyone who was alive in 2013 probably knows them. Also this has nothing to do with the music itself but that album cover has to be one of my favorite album covers ever.

    Highlights: Diamonds, Jump, Stay & Right Now    … Expand
  14. alysoonw
    Nov 22, 2020
    10
    She sent us one of the best track on her career: loveee song. Still don't know why this music didn't get a videoclipe. ;/. The tour? My favorite. So well constructed.
  15. aritz13
    Sep 30, 2020
    7
    I wish Rihanna had done an album with more tracks like Diamonds and Stay, which are my favourite songs.
  16. AndyBenvindo
    Sep 21, 2020
    10
    Um hinário, tem músicas que a gente grita HINOOOOOOOOO, tem pra todos os gostos
  17. Afterglow_0202
    Aug 30, 2020
    3
    «Unapologetic» is by no means a bad album, it'd be nearly impossible to combine the music industry's best songwriters, producers and Rihanna's charismatic delivery and not create quality music. Nevertheless, as an album «Unapologetic» has no real core, no real theme; unless you count “making hits” as a theme. However, if Sia's «Diamonds» is a sultry triumph, its character and uniqueness«Unapologetic» is by no means a bad album, it'd be nearly impossible to combine the music industry's best songwriters, producers and Rihanna's charismatic delivery and not create quality music. Nevertheless, as an album «Unapologetic» has no real core, no real theme; unless you count “making hits” as a theme. However, if Sia's «Diamonds» is a sultry triumph, its character and uniqueness highlights the ultimately hollow pleasures of much around it.… Expand
  18. Panchogul
    Aug 14, 2020
    9
    Uno de los mejores trabajos de Rihanna, lo malo es que siento que su enorme potencial no fue bien aprovechado en cuanto a sencillos, varias canciones tenían madera suficiente para ser éxitos y se quedaron simplemente en el abismo.
  19. 4R73N15
    May 29, 2020
    10
    An album that was mistreated by critics because of the artist's personal life rather than the music. Great and diverse body of work which perfectly blends multiple genres
  20. greedybadidea
    May 27, 2020
    8
    Rihanna's seventh album finally gives a taste of the lyrical value that 'Rated R' had. The only issues on this album is that some of the production was quite risky and didn't always pay off, but the vocals on this album were top notch and comparable to that of those on display on 'Loud'. The features on this album were a big part of the problem and I believe that stems from the fact thatRihanna's seventh album finally gives a taste of the lyrical value that 'Rated R' had. The only issues on this album is that some of the production was quite risky and didn't always pay off, but the vocals on this album were top notch and comparable to that of those on display on 'Loud'. The features on this album were a big part of the problem and I believe that stems from the fact that Rihanna does better solo. Now all we need from Rihanna is an album like this, but with production perfection.

    Album Track Ranking:
    1. What Now
    2. Diamonds
    3. Lost in Paradise
    4. Pour It Up
    5. Stay (feat. Mikky Ekko)
    6. Jump
    7. Right Now (feat. David Guetta)
    8. Get It Over With
    9. Love Without Tragedy / Mother Mary
    10. No Love Allowed
    11. Half of Me
    12. Nobody's Business (feat. Chris Brown)
    13. Loveeeeeee Song (feat. Future)
    14. Phresh Out the Runway
    15. Numb (feat. Eminem)    … Expand
  21. DavidRene
    Apr 26, 2020
    10
    This album is a good job by Rihanna and her team, much of the mixed and negative reviews are for collaborating with Chris Brown on it, as they only focus on that is the forgotten vocal and versatility of Rihanna in her seventh album.
  22. cipriano
    Feb 17, 2020
    6
    Of all Rihanna's album this is what I didn't see the cohesion and production she always presented, the tracks have stressed tendencies only with sounds and emotions. It has a basic sound and not something that surprises me as it happened with old releases.
  23. brehnrr
    Jan 11, 2020
    9
    Eu sinceramente não sei qual o problema dos usuários do metacritic com Rihanna, todas as avaliações dela nesse site são baixas, até nesse álbum transcendental que é o unapologetic. O álbum não tem UMA música ruim, é IMPACTANTE em todas elas.
  24. Giorgishak
    Sep 8, 2019
    10
    Unapologetic was the album that made me love her this much to call myself Rihanna navy.
  25. MyleeneFRW
    Aug 20, 2019
    8
    Поработав с новыми продюссерами Рианна выпускает Поп/РНБ альбом с кладезью хитов. На этом альбоме нет "дэнс" направления как на его двух предшественниках. Это последний релиз Рианны на "Def jam" и , я думаю, они должны быть очень довольны его результатами. На альбоме много средних песен, но так же и бриллиантов, котороые заставляют забыть о недочетах.Поработав с новыми продюссерами Рианна выпускает Поп/РНБ альбом с кладезью хитов. На этом альбоме нет "дэнс" направления как на его двух предшественниках. Это последний релиз Рианны на "Def jam" и , я думаю, они должны быть очень довольны его результатами. На альбоме много средних песен, но так же и бриллиантов, котороые заставляют забыть о недочетах.
  26. survivorfan989
    Jan 21, 2019
    8
    Another solid Rihanna album, compared to her more recent albums this isn't as good, but there's enough here to make it a decent record. Diamonds was a great lead single, and the singles that followed were also very good.
  27. Sergio97costa
    Sep 14, 2018
    10
    Perfect! This album definitely outdid all of my expectations. Rihanna is fantastic.
  28. TheReviewr
    Aug 12, 2018
    9
    Unapologetic is the upgraded sequel to Talk that Talk and delivers 10 of Rihanna's best songs. In this album, she shows her "cooler" side but also expresses her emotions and does it seamlessly.

    1. Phresh Off the Runway, now this is an energetic intro song that hypes us for the album 10/10 2. Diamonds, although it sounds odd after the intro, its an amazing song 10/10 3. Numb ft.    Unapologetic is the upgraded sequel to Talk that Talk and delivers 10 of Rihanna's best songs. In this album, she shows her "cooler" side but also expresses her emotions and does it seamlessly.

    1. Phresh Off the Runway, now this is an energetic intro song that hypes us for the album 10/10
    2. Diamonds, although it sounds odd after the intro, its an amazing song 10/10
    3. Numb ft. Eminem, an experimental but smoothly executed sound to hear on a RiRi album 9/10
    4. Pour It Up, this one is a banger and has a great music video to go with it 10/10
    5. Loveeeeeee Song ft. Future, the song that's so good it won't ever get out of your head 10/10
    6. Jump, this is a song that should have never made it past 2011 but Kanye was a nice surprise 6/10
    7. Right Now ft. David Guetta, David kills the beat and Rihanna delivers with the vocals 9/10
    8. What Now, why does every Rihanna song have to be so good i can't figure it out 10/10
    9. Stay ft. Mikky Ekko, this song is easily the best on the album 10/10
    10. Nobodys Business ft. Chris Brown, someone teach her how to pronounce "business" 8/10
    11. Love Without Tragedy / Mother Mary, its a Rihanna song of course its good 9/10
    12. Get It Over With, the beginning makes the song just by itself 9/10
    13. No Love Allowed, the music is just so old RiRi its great 10/10
    14. Lost In Paradise, the song starts boring but the chorus makes it up 8/10
    15. Half Of Me, it's not the normal Rihanna song but its great anyways 10/10

    Standouts are Diamonds, Loveeeeeee Song & Stay

    Overall: 9.2 (rounded down to 9) Rihanna has a greatly underrated album here. It is really one of 2012's best albums and the reason the score is low is due to irrational hate on Rihanna. She wasn't her best on Talk That Talk and for some reason, the hate translated to Unapologetic.    … Expand
  29. sicrano
    Mar 22, 2018
    7
    An really divesive album, taking the songs that both fans & critics like as Diamonds & Stay, the album is very strange and with much different songs one of the others.

    But listening the album without prejudice, you clearly will listen an very matured album with great vocals by rihanna and with many good songs. Actually if you listen the album quietly you will come across with one of    An really divesive album, taking the songs that both fans & critics like as Diamonds & Stay, the album is very strange and with much different songs one of the others.

    But listening the album without prejudice, you clearly will listen an very matured album with great vocals by rihanna and with many good songs.
    Actually if you listen the album quietly you will come across with one of best songs ever that Rihanna ever released, and i'm talk about the Masterpiece and Underrated song called "Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary", an beautiful ballad with almost seven minutes that when finished will leave you wanted more (at least more seven minutes).

    Together with the famous singles Stay & Diamonds the album have other great songs like Lost In Paradise, Loveeeeeee Song, What Now, Nobody's Business, Right Now.

    But of course Rihanna insists to make some bad songs like "Phresh out the Runway" & "Numb" that unfortunately ends preveting your album to be a completed masterpiece.    … Expand
  30. raciocinio
    Dec 14, 2017
    7
    .........Rihanna just made a good album with the most kind of genres, R&B, Pop, Electronica, Hip Hop & also Reggae.

    Unapologetic isn't a Great album or a Masterpiece, But is so much better than you normally first impression. if you listen a second,third, fourth or even more times, you will see that maybe because of vastly musical style & genres, you don't realized that is really good    .........Rihanna just made a good album with the most kind of genres, R&B, Pop, Electronica, Hip Hop & also Reggae.

    Unapologetic isn't a Great album or a Masterpiece, But is so much better than you normally first impression.
    if you listen a second,third, fourth or even more times, you will see that maybe because of vastly musical style & genres, you don't realized that is really good album.

    I Higher recommend the long track "Love Wihout Tragedy/Mother Mary" with almost seven minutes, make you want more seven minutes at least, A Excellent unknown & Underrated Rihanna Gem Song.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. Fact Magazine (UK)
    Nov 26, 2012
    60
    Even when Unapologetic fails, it often does so in interesting ways.
    Read full review
  3. NOW Magazine
    Nov 26, 2012
    40
    Sonically, the first half of Unapologetic picks up on the syrupy Southern hip-hop minimalism popular last summer, while much of the latter half is a grab bag of unwieldy balladry.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »