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Review: Listen to these six songs from Rihanna's 'ANTI' first

It's been more than 10 years since Rihanna first registered on the pop-music radar, almost that many since 2007's "Umbrella" made her a household name. The 27-year-old Barbados native's continual stream of radio hits since has shown us a range of musical personas -- the provocative seductress of "Rude Boy," the disco queen of "We Found Love" and the emotive balladeer of "Stay" among them.

While Rihanna is too much of a hit-chaser to rest on a single style or approach in her just released eighth album, ANTI, the record does feel like a refresher where the pop princess is concerned. Not only is it her first under her personal Roc Nation sub-label, Westbury Road, but most of its tunes were co-written by her. ANTI is also the first full-length effort to follow 2012's hit-and-miss Unapologetic. The time spent on the record and the greater creative control seem to have paid off — it provides a listening experience with few lulls and plenty of highlights. If I had to pick six songs to start you off (stream the record here for now), I'd send you the following:

You can purchase ANTI on both Tidal and iTunes.
You can purchase ANTI on both Tidal and iTunes.

"Consideration"

Rihanna always knows how to start a record off the right way, and ANTI's opener is no exception. Over an ominous rattler of a bass line and a slowed-down hip-hop beat, she defiantly sells the lyrical message that she's now doing things her own way. Also notable about the track is the mesmerizing guest vocal from SZA -- the way her voice interplays with Rihanna's suggests a true collaboration rather than a phoned-in cameo.

"Work"

Speaking of cameos, Drake graces ANTI's first single "Work" with his chart-busting chants. I'd give the song a thumbs-up with or without him. In less than a minute, the dancehall-informed jam enters ear worm territory thanks to Rihanna's infectious island cadence and a subtle synth tone laid over the beat. It's nearly impossible to stay still once this song gets going.

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"Kiss it Better"

The reason "Umbrella" broke so hugely for Rihanna was that it found the perfect blend of hip-hop, soul, pop and rock. It could be taken in as a dance song and a power ballad simultaneously. While "Kiss It Better" moves a little slower than "Umbrella," it so beautifully incorporates the same elements that we'd be tempted to call it "signature Rihanna."

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"Yeah, I Said It"

There's not much going on lyrically in this Timbaland-assisted bedroom track, but tonally it couldn't be more relevant to what's going in pop music right now. An eerie, Weeknd-worthy beat and meditative keys render this as more of a mood-enhancing texture than a full-on song. Nothing wrong with that.

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"Close to You"

"Stay" showed the softer, vulnerable Rihanna to dazzling effect a few years back. Any one who loved it will love "Close to You," another simple piano ballad that strips away all the pop bells and whistles. Rihanna also manages to excel at doo-wop and vintage soul on "Love on the Brain" and "Higher."

"Same Ol' Mistakes"

Although I couldn't get enough of "Consideration" and "Work" during the first few listens to ANTI, Rihanna's cover of "Same Ol' Mistakes" might be the album's true jewel. Tame Impala's original rendition approached heady perfection, but with Rihanna's breathiest vocal up front, her take somehow elevates it. And once again, we're impressed by her adventurousness in picking material, one thing that surely separates her from the pack.

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Hunter Hauk on Twitter: @hausofhunter