Rihanna, the pop sensation from Barbados who burst into the music scene with hits such as 'Umbrella' and 'Don't stop the music' has just released her 7th studio album, in her short seven year career.

Releasing these albums quicker than rabbits mate may be the singer's downfall as this recent release does not live up to her musical prowess which we've witnessed in earlier albums, most notably 'Good Girl Gone Bad' and 'Rated R'.

That said, lead single diamonds and the album itself has soared its way to the #1 spot, Rihanna's first No 1 album and her gazillionth No 1 single.

'Unapologetic' features 14 new tracks as follows:

1. "Fresh Out the Runway"
2. "Diamonds"
3. "Numb" (ft. Eminem)
4. "Pour It Up"
5. "Loveeeeeee Song" (ft. Future)
6. "Jump"
7. "Right Now"
8. "What Now"
9. "Stay" (ft. Mikky Ekko)
10. "Nobodies Business" (ft. Chris Brown)
11. "Love Without Tragedy" / "Mother Mary"
12. "Get It Over With"
13. "No Love Allowed"
14. "Lost in Paradise"
15. "Half of Me" (Bonus Track)

With an array of features and hit writers, you'd expect this to be a killer album. Oh the contrary. 'Diamonds' is an undeniably catchy song which infects your brain like a parasite but give it a month and it'll be something else. It lacks real substance and longevity although her live performances of this song on shows such as X Factor and The Voice redeems it. Slightly.

Other notable songs include 'Numb' which features Eminem. The duo who created the beautiful 'Love the Way You Lie' joins forces once again, but with no such luck here. The robotic tune does them no favours as they sound flat, emotionless and devoid of life. The same could be said for 'Right Now' and the majority of the first half of the album.

The most controversial of tracks is perhaps Rihanna's collaboration with ex- Chris Brown, who assaulted her and sparked debate as to whether the two should be together blah blah. Regardless of their obvious relationship, the song is musically in the wrong genre. For a tune which is meant to be emotional and personal to the singer and perhaps even a message to the world, this isn't a song you would hear in a club, but it's being given that treatment.

The second half of 'Unapologetic' is somewhat redeeming, most notably 'Stay' which is a delight amidst the loudness of her brand of potential hits. The song reminds us of what Rihanna is capable of but not producing.

Bonus track 'Half of Me' which Emeli Sande contributed to writing is definitely more suited to the writer and is inappropriately performed by Rihanna, who does not do the song justice and all I kept thinking whilst listening to it was how it would sound much better sung by Sande.

~~~OVERALL~~~
Despite the general consensus being that the singer is on the fall, her increasing success is strangely disproportional. Like I said before about her last album, this singer can fart into a microphone and people will flock to buy it. Oh, has Rihanna taken this to the next level. But don't be fooled.

'Unapologetic' features a dozen brainless 'hits' written and produced by great people but feels detached from the singer and hence devoid of emotion. The redeeming track 'Stay' is a refreshing song but elevated amidst everything else, but when compared to her past music, is no competition.

Overall, I would not recommend this album as it is musically (if it can call it that) irritating and flat. It just goes to show that quality is definitely more important than quantity. Slow down Rih and create a quality album, PLEASE.