Rihanna - “Diamonds” (New Single)

on Sep 26 in Pop • Rihanna

With November comes that special time of the year where we gather with family friends and give thanks for… yet another Rihanna album?  “That Rihanna reign just won’t let up” is no empty, chest beating boast apparently as Ri prepares to release album number seven(!) later this year preceded by lead single “Diamonds”.

Considering RiRi launches a new album every ten months, its a wonder that Ri fatigue has yet to set in with fans considering she’s been a constant pop culture presence ever since her early sugar-and-(island)-spice-n-everything-nice “Pon De Replay” days waaaaay back in 2005.  Considering Top 40 radio still hasn’t completely broken up with last year’s inescapable “We Found Love” nor this summer’s almost as ubiquitous “Where Have You Been”, it’ll be interesting to see if there is room for yet another Rihanna single on everyone’s playlists… uh yeah, there will totally be room!

I’m just gonna go ahead and say that I loved “Diamonds” about a minute in—- that pre-chorus is simply stunning and that “shine bright like a diamond” hook seals the deal for me.  What I love most about this new single is that it’s a complete about face and unexpected turn for an artist who I thought was gonna emerge with yet another club thumper.  Early reactions have some fans disappointed that “Diamonds” isn’t “Only Girl (In The World)” or “...Found Love” but that’s the very reason why I’m already on board with the latest from Ri’s House o’ Hits.  Instead of yet another dance anthem, Team Ri smartly switched gears with this beautifully Sia-penned mid-tempo number that will, make no mistake about it, be everywhere in 2.2 seconds.

My one gripe about this project is the unfortunate drug imagery used for the single artwork for “Diamonds” considering Ri’s relatively young fanbase.  Otherwise, “Diamonds” is a sublime choice as the lead single for the upcoming album, still untitled, and I eagerly await the First Lady of Def Jam’s Ri-turn… Ha!  Ya see what I did there?