LOUD by Rihanna Fenty

Loud is the upcoming fifth studio album by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, scheduled to be released on November 16, 2010 through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions began in February 2010 and continued over a period of six months, concluding in August 2010. The album's lead single "Only Girl (In the World)" was released on September 10, 2010 as a digital download. "What's My Name?" is confirmed for release as the second single, while Rihanna has stated that current plans will see "S&M" released as the third single.

In June 2010, it was revealed that Rihanna was planning to release the fifth studio album soon. Singers, songwriters and producers Taio Cruz, Alex da Kid, Sean Garrett, Ne-Yo, Rico Love, Timbaland, Shontelle, David Guetta, and Drake worked on the album. "I'm gonna miss the Rated R era too, but nothing compares to the album I just made," Rihanna said, adding,"I made sure not to let you down with my music. You guys are always defending me, so now you’ve got some great songs to justify it. I didn’t want to go backward and remake Good Girl Gone Bad. I wanted the next step in the evolution of Rihanna, and it’s perfect for us". In early September 2010, she announced that the album would be called, Loud saying that "get Loud everybody, get crazy, get excited, because I'm pumped. I'm just gonna be me, because that's what you guys love the most, and that's what makes me feel best. Just being normal, normal for me is Loud! Sassy, fun, flirty, energetic."While Rihanna was on set filming for the movie Battleship, she explained in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, "Loud is, the word, the name of the album definitely reflects the attitude of it, it’s really sassy and flirty and it grabs your attention and that’s why I enjoy it. It takes you through a really really interesting ride. So colorful the album.” The artwork of the album was revealed on September 28, 2010.

Tracks have been penned by Shontelle, Ester Dean and Nicki Minaj. Stargate produced fizzing synths, club beats and sing-along chants featured heavily, with three songs on the album, "Only Girl (In the World)", "What's My Name?" and "S&M". "Cheers", which Rihanna also referred to by its working title, "Drink to that", is a funky, loping guitar groove dedicated to a night on the town and interpolates Avril Lavigne's "I'm With You". "California King (Bed)" is a strummed, acoustic ballad. "S&M" is the "loudest" track on the album. Rihanna described "Raining Men" as "a really fun song. Nothing like the original. It's quite uptempo but kind of quirky and funny." Rihanna and Drake have described their duet, "What's My Name" as a "young" and "playful" track.

The album will be released in four separate editions: the standard edition featuring all 11 tracks, the deluxe edition, which also features a 30 minute DVD presenting "The Making of Loud", and a digipack package. There is also the limited edition Loud couture edition featuring the deluxe edition of Loud, and most things in the Ultra Couture Edition. There is also, an exclusive Ultra Couture Edition, a very limited edition featuring a copy of Loud signed by Rihanna herself, as well as a deluxe cover art lithograph, a box set with enhanced clear couture cover, which contains the Deluxe Edition of Loud. A full-size photo book and the MP3 download of Loud on street date. All of those features are included in the regular couture edition, except the autograph of Rihanna.

Rihanna first headed to London to promote the album in United Kingdom on October 1, 2010.[23] She interviewed with BBC Radio 1, "I can't believe it's the fifth album already," she said to host Scott Mills. "That's insane to think about. I've never been this excited about anything I've done creatively, and this is just the perfect Rihanna album, every song is tailored to me." During the making of the album, the singer had a particular agenda in mind: "I wanted songs that were all Rihanna songs, that nobody else could do. I didn't want the generic pop record that Kesha or Lady Gaga or Katy Perry could just do and it'll work. I wanted a song, or songs, that were Rihanna songs, that only I could do, had that little West Indian vibe to it, had that certain tone, a certain sass and a certain energy."As a part of the promotion, Rihanna unveiled five tracks from the album, at a club in London. Rihanna said during the promotion that much of the music was born out of frustration. She explained: "When you go to a club and have to listen to bad music you revert to the liquor, because you want to have a good time. I hate having to skip a track. I wanted to make an album you can just play."
Rihanna first performed "Only Girl (In The World)" and "What's My Name?" on Saturday Night Live on October 30, 2010. She performed "Only Girl" the following day on The X Factor in the United Kingdom. She is set to perform at the MTV European Music Awards on November 7, 2010, on Good Morning America as part of their fall concert series on November 17, 2010, and at the American Music Awards on November 21, 2010.

The album's lead single "Only Girl (In the World)" was released on September 10, 2010 as a digital download. The song was sent to US mainstream and rhythmic radio on September 21, 2010. The song has currently peaked at number three on Billboard Hot 100 and number one on Canadian Hot 100, Australian Aria Charts and in New Zealand. "What's My Name?" was released as the second single of the album and the video has already been shot. On October 21, 2010 Billboard reported that the version of the single featuring Drake had made its hot shot debut on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart at number sixty seven. According to Rihanna, the current plan is to release "S&M" as the third single, with plans for an "unexpected" music video.

The track listing was confirmed by MTV UK
No.
Title
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Length
1.
"S&M"
Ester Dean, Sandy Wilhelm, Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen
StarGate
4:04
2.
"What's My Name?" (featuring Drake)
Dean, Eriksen, Tracy Hale, Hermansen, Aubrey Graham
StarGate
4:24
3.
"Cheers (Drink to That)"
Stacey Barthe, Corey Gibson, Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Avril Lavigne, Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, Scott Spock

4:22
4.
"Fading"
Dean, Robyn Fenty

3:20
5.
"Only Girl (In the World)"
Crystal Johnson, Eriksen, Hermansen, Wilhelm
StarGate, Sandy Vee
3:55
6.
"California King Bed"


4:12
7.
"Man Down"
Shontelle Layne, Fenty

4:27
8.
"Raining Men" (featuring Nicki Minaj)
Onika Maraj

3:45
9.
"Complicated"


4:18
10.
"Skin"


5:04
11.
"Love the Way You Lie (Part II)" (featuring Eminem)

Alex da Kid
4:56

Bonus Tracks

12.
"Love the Way You Lie" (Piano version)

13.
"Only Girl (In the World)" (Music video)
4:15
14.
"Only Girl (In the World)" (Remix) (Pre-order only)