These Are the Best Songs on Rihanna's 'ANTI'

Image via Complex Original

If you're feeling charitable, you might interpret the massive genre indecision of ANTI as Rihanna's admirably striving to record something for everyone. "Kiss It Better," the best and most potentially successful song on the album, is a mash note to Prince and the rad, pink sunset aesthetic of nostalgia for the early 1980s. I'm a sucker for this sort of thing: glossed pop songs with shaggy, electric hooks. Rihanna does Carly Rae Jepsen one better here, in devil's advocacy of rote, rotten romance so-called. —Justin Charity

"Work" basically sums up Drake and Rihanna's confusing and drawn out relationship over the years: In the end, he'll probably always be there for her. The latest result will end up as yet another massive hit together. —Zach Frydenlund

ANTI doesn't start with a loud radio bang like Rih's previous albums. This is fucking funky, a groove-sound I was surprised to hear even on an album pre-destined to be her most diverse yet. And yet, outstanding SZA collaboration and influence aside, it's imbued with that classic fuck-you-I'll-do-what-I-want swagger only Rihanna possesses. Capitalizing the mission statement, what a perfect way to start. —Frazier Tharpe

A friend told me he didn’t like “Rude Boy” because it made him uncomfortable, and the subtext was he felt emasculated by the song. What’s the cowering situation when Rihanna very clearly sings “I want you to homicide it” at the opening of “Yeah, I Said It,” the final part of the chewy three-song suite at ANTI’s dark center? Don’t back down now. This is hardcore, and you don’t want her to tell you twice. —Ross Scarano

When I first listened to "Woo," it was instantly on repeat; there's something about hypnotic bass lines and noisy melodies that hook me. It gets deeper when you actually peep the lyrics, which come from a place where Rihanna is dealing with an ex who might be trying to get that old thing back, but has another. Sure, she was hurt, but she knows homeboy is way more strung out, and can throw the ultimate shade as the perfect payback.

"Woo" is also perfect "smoking a Black & Mild while waiting for the bus" music. Send for me. —khal