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. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. thaleslucas
    Sep 22, 2014
    10
    Since "Rated R", Rihanna wasn't so deep with her albums, but with "Unapologetic" she really came back to the darkness more powerful than all!

    Songs like "Stay", "What Now", "Love Without Tragedy / Mother Mary", "Loveeeeeee Song" and "Half of Me" remind that brave Rihanna who really has so much to scream to the world, with so many hurts and tears. By the way, sings like "Pour It Up",    Since "Rated R", Rihanna wasn't so deep with her albums, but with "Unapologetic" she really came back to the darkness more powerful than all!

    Songs like "Stay", "What Now", "Love Without Tragedy / Mother Mary", "Loveeeeeee Song" and "Half of Me" remind that brave Rihanna who really has so much to scream to the world, with so many hurts and tears.

    By the way, sings like "Pour It Up", "Jump" and "Phresh Out The Runway" made her a luxury woman that just wanna have fun and show her money.

    Rihanna is amazing and "Unapologetic" too! I was really impressed with it. ♥    … Expand
  5. BWETMatangi
    Aug 15, 2013
    8
    Definitely not the best RiRi album, but not the worst either. Maybe it's just I'm so used to Rihanna's voice. But she definitely released the wrong songs. She should have released "What Now" and "Lost In Paradise".
  6. victorcarter
    Nov 21, 2016
    4
    My rating on this is probably a little too high. "Phresh Out the Runway" is maybe the nadir of Rihanna's career so far, no matter how fun it is live. Half of the rest are decent-to-good and the rest are boring-to-bland. Eminem and David Guetta bring nothing new or interesting to the table. Mikky Ekko duet "Stay" is one of Rihanna's best, as is the Sia-penned "Diamonds". The rest is nothingMy rating on this is probably a little too high. "Phresh Out the Runway" is maybe the nadir of Rihanna's career so far, no matter how fun it is live. Half of the rest are decent-to-good and the rest are boring-to-bland. Eminem and David Guetta bring nothing new or interesting to the table. Mikky Ekko duet "Stay" is one of Rihanna's best, as is the Sia-penned "Diamonds". The rest is nothing too special.… Expand
  7. asjklasjklas
    Oct 16, 2013
    7
    Although it's certainly no Good Girl Gone Bad, Unapologetic 'unapologetically' matures Rihanna in terms of music production and lyrically aims at pissing off the media and many mom with its 'unapologetic' subject matter, with songs such as "Numb"; although obscure, the Barbian songstress confesses that she is so high, she's "going numb", which makes for an ear magnet (especially for theAlthough it's certainly no Good Girl Gone Bad, Unapologetic 'unapologetically' matures Rihanna in terms of music production and lyrically aims at pissing off the media and many mom with its 'unapologetic' subject matter, with songs such as "Numb"; although obscure, the Barbian songstress confesses that she is so high, she's "going numb", which makes for an ear magnet (especially for the listeners 'under the influence' and features the king of controversy in hip-hop and previous collaborator Eminem. While drug abuse, fame, and fortune are many risqué moments as well, its most explicit is its graphic confession of her lingering love for ex-boyfriend (and 'Rude Boy' if you will) Chris Brown(which has all but withered now). The two even collaborate on the Michael Jackson-tinged song "Nobody's Business". Whether you like it or not, it's there and it's raw. In general, Unapologetic has the bass bumpin' beats and heart throbbing ballads to balance itself evenly between the two and although it's missing the ensemble of potential hit-singles previous efforts held, there should be at least one song for everyone thanks to its diversity in production.… Expand
  8. ihavevocaloid
    Apr 15, 2015
    6
    Not a bad album, but Rihanna's worst. Like Talk That Talk, there are Chris Brown Fortune-esque ballads on here, but more here. And they're also worse than the ones on Talk That Talk. The production is good, helped by David Guetta, Mike Will Made It, Stargate among others, however Rihanna doesn't have much lyrically, and the ballads are just boring. Grade: B-/C+. Highlights: "Phresh Out theNot a bad album, but Rihanna's worst. Like Talk That Talk, there are Chris Brown Fortune-esque ballads on here, but more here. And they're also worse than the ones on Talk That Talk. The production is good, helped by David Guetta, Mike Will Made It, Stargate among others, however Rihanna doesn't have much lyrically, and the ballads are just boring. Grade: B-/C+. Highlights: "Phresh Out the Runway", "Numb", "Love Without Tragedy". Worst songs: "Nobody's Business", "Stay"… Expand
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. NathanCabello
    Dec 16, 2014
    6
    Rihanna could really have done something better, this album sounds like it was done anyway just to be released within one year, I think why the R8 ta taking so long, I hope to be better.
    Highlights: Diamonds and Jump
    Lows: Loveeee Song and Numb
  14. Clubsocial
    May 4, 2015
    1
    Katy Perry bursts back onto the scene with her amazing second album that is full to the grim of the tongue-in-cheek atmosphere that got herkhkkjhjghjbnnnnn
  15. LoRevisor
    Dec 10, 2017
    7
    Em "Unapologetic" Rihanna fez um álbum que passa por quase todos gêneros Baladas, Pop, Eletrônica, R&B, Hip Hop e até Reggae "No Love Allowed", por tanto é normal alguns ou muitos acharem o álbum inconsistente, ou simplesmente fraco ou até ruim.

    Mas Unapologetic é claramente mais um daqueles álbums que se deve dar quantas chances necessárias para realmente ver que o álbum mais acerta    Em "Unapologetic" Rihanna fez um álbum que passa por quase todos gêneros Baladas, Pop, Eletrônica, R&B, Hip Hop e até Reggae "No Love Allowed", por tanto é normal alguns ou muitos acharem o álbum inconsistente, ou simplesmente fraco ou até ruim.

    Mas Unapologetic é claramente mais um daqueles álbums que se deve dar quantas chances necessárias para realmente ver que o álbum mais acerta que erra. Tome por exemplo A faixa totalmente ignorada e que quase nenhum conhece "Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary" facilmente uma das melhores músicas da carreira da Rihanna, e certamente um de seus trabalhos mais criativos, coesos e com certo nível de complexidade pelo fato de ser duas músicas em uma.

    Fora o hino do álbum escrito pela talentosa cantora e compositora Sia Furler "Diamonds" e o segundo hit "Stay [Feat. Mikky Ekko]", Unapologetic tem outras músicas que faz o álbum vale a pena como a faixa final "Lost In Paradise", "What Now" single que infelizmente não fez o sucesso merecido, "Nobody's Business", "Loveeeeee Song", Por fim "Unapologetic" O álbum não chega a ser um ótimo álbum da Rihanna, mas vale a pena ser escutado.

    Top músicas "UnapologetiCas"

    Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary, Stay, What Now, Diamonds, Lost In Paradise, Loveeeeeee Song & Nobody's Business

    Menções Honoráveis

    Jump, Pour It Up, Right Now & Get It Over With    … Expand
  16. 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.
  17. Zanessa250QI
    Jul 6, 2015
    3
    PUTZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ não nem dar pra dormir escutando isso uma tortura Thumbs Up for Stay,What Now,Diamonds & Lost In Paradise o resto é lixooo
  18. 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
  19. LanaDelRey
    Mar 24, 2013
    2
    I Love Rihanna! LOUD And Talk That Talk Were Perfect Albums! This Album Is By Far Rihanna's Worst! There Are So Many Things Wrong With This Album But Dubstep Is The Main Issue! Vocally Rihanna Is Still Here Though... Diamond, Stay And Mother Marry Are Great Song... The Rest Belong In A Strip Club's Trash Can.. As A MEGA Fan I'm Really Sad That This Album Sucked!
  20. mike4444
    Nov 1, 2013
    3
    When diamonds first came out, I liked it but I thought it was a little bland. So when I heard an album of even blander songs, I was bored to death. In addition to that, half the songs sound like generic rap songs that every other artist does. What happened to Rihanna from the past?
  21. LuizFelipe
    Mar 14, 2015
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Presh Out The Runway 40/100
    Diamonds 90/100
    Numb 30/100
    Pour It Up 70/100
    Loveeeeee Song 30/100
    Jump 100/100
    Right Now 80/100
    What Now 50/100
    Stay 60/100
    Nobody Business 40/100
    Love Without Tragedy / Mother Mary 20/100
    Get It Over With 40/100
    No Love Allowed 30/100
    Lost In Paradise 90/100    … Expand
  22. Samimacedo
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    RAINHA DO POP PIOR ALBUM DELA POREM ESTAMOS AKI PRA AUMENTAR A NOTA NE NOM -q ..........................................................................................................................................................
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. 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
  27. BabyJane
    May 25, 2016
    8
    1. Phresh Out the Runway 60/100
    2. Diamonds 65/100
    3. Numb 100/100
    4. Pour It Up 95/100
    5. Loveeeeeee Song 65/100
    6. Jump 100/100
    7. Right Now 95/100
    8. What Now 30/100
    9. Stay 90/100
    10. Nobody's Business 85/100
    11. Love Without Tragedy / Mother Mary 65/100
    12. Get It Over With 10/100
    13. No Love Allowed 100/100
    14. Lost in Paradise 100/100
    15. Half of Me 65/100

    Metascore: 75
  28. clinteastwoo
    May 11, 2016
    3
    .....................................................................................................................................................Really Bad Album
  29. arvintaylor138
    Dec 5, 2013
    10
    One of the best albums by Rihanna, if you go back to her first album in 2005, you will see how Rihanna has evolved!! This album is just as good as Loud. This album may be rushed but it doesn't defeat the fact that she releases good music. Very diverse!!
  30. AloudSound
    Nov 19, 2012
    7
    "Unapologetic" is a huge mixed bag off pop, R&B, dubstep, electronic music and soft tunes, which has given comparisons off her 2007 album 'Rated R'. I mean, really does it need reference? its sounds like that album [...] Rihanna has brought a demure and confident collection off songs since "Rated R", but she sounds so confused and lost in the lyrical depth and its meanings... maybe"Unapologetic" is a huge mixed bag off pop, R&B, dubstep, electronic music and soft tunes, which has given comparisons off her 2007 album 'Rated R'. I mean, really does it need reference? its sounds like that album [...] Rihanna has brought a demure and confident collection off songs since "Rated R", but she sounds so confused and lost in the lyrical depth and its meanings... maybe something less explicit and uneven next time. But, its sure a hit."… 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 »