Entertainment

Rihanna lets music do the talking on new CD

November 16, 2009 Edition 1

PARIS: Pop star Rihanna, 21, has flaunted a blonde look to present her new album R Rated, but is letting the music speak for itself and refuses to answer any questions about former boyfriend Chris Brown who assaulted her in February.

Rihanna said the darker, edgier sound of the album, her fourth in four years, was the result of "venting" in the studio.

"I got all my emotions out and you hear it in the album."

R&B star Brown was sentenced in August to five years' probation and ' days of community labour after pleading guilty to charges stemming from his late-night assault on Rihanna in Los Angeles on the eve of the Grammy Awards.

"Each album is a reflection of who you are at that point in your life," Rihanna said. "At times" she felt "dark".

Her second track, Wait Your Turn, alludes to the relationship, with Rihanna singing in metallic, deep vocals: "I may be dumb but I'm not stupid ... Let go, he's not the one."

The album cover, showing her with half her face covered, was "just about mystery. If you show both eyes then you're vulnerable - here I'm very guarded."

R Rated seems to have had a cathartic effect on the Barbados-born star. Explaining her new look, she said she had heard that blondes had more fun.

The song Rockstar 101 on the 13-track album includes a heavy metal collaboration with former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash.

Justin Timberlake has contributed again, writing the musically richer Cold Case Love, which includes violins, piano and more emphasis on Rihanna's powerful vocal range.

R Rated comes out on November 23, while the first single Russian Roulette is on general release.

Rihanna said she would be touring next year. - Sapa-AFP

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