Rihanna has always been the Good Girl Gone Bad to Beyoncé’s overachieving cheerleader pageant queen. Anti is the masterpiece she never needed as a superstar in a post-millennial, singles-driven music industry. “Love on the Brain” brings Stax soul to the table, with male backup singers responding to her like the Pips. After an airy interlude, “Kiss It Better” beckons an ex to swallow his pride and take her back. On “Work,” Ri slurs an island girl drawl with Jamaican patois lyrics. Anti is the soundtrack for girls in dark shades and dark lipstick with cigarettes dangling from seductive lips—maybe drunk, possibly high, most likely horny.

– Miles Marshall Lewis