"What Now" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Song by Rihanna from the album Unapologetic | ||||
Recorded | Metropolis Studios, (London, UK); Westlake Recording Studios (Los Angeles, CA) | |||
Length | 4:03 | |||
Label |
|
|||
Writer |
|
|||
Producer |
|
|||
Unapologetic track listing | ||||
|
"What Now" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her seventh studio album Unapologetic (2012). It is a mid-tempo piano ballad which incorporates sounds which resemble "sonic bombs" during the chorus and "crashing" drums. It received predominately positive reviews, with many critics calling it an emotional, stand-out song on the album and praised Rihanna's vocals. Following the release of Unapologetic, "What Now" made chart appearances on the French Singles Chart and UK Singles Chart, as well as the UK R&B Chart where it peaked at number 32. It is included on the set list of her Diamonds World Tour (2013).[1]
Contents |
Background and production
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20130626224529im_/http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Livvi-Franc_091212_Photoby-Adam-Bielawski.jpg/150px-Livvi-Franc_091212_Photoby-Adam-Bielawski.jpg)
Rihanna began "working on the new sound" for her seventh studio album in March 2012, even though she had not yet begun recording.[2] On September 12, 2012, Def Jam France announced via Twitter that Rihanna would release a new single the upcoming week while her seventh studio album was scheduled to be released in November 2012. However, the tweet was quickly deleted and replaced with another clarifying that more information would be available the next day (September 13).[3] Via her official Twitter account, Rihanna posted a series of "teasing" tweets announcing her seventh studio album.[4] On October 11, 2012, in one of her tweets revealed that the title of her new album is Unapologetic alongside with its cover.[5]
"What Now" was written by British singer-songwriter Livvi Franc together with Rihanna, Parker Ighile and Nathan Cassells, while the production of the song was done by the latter two.[6] Ighile and Cassells recorded the music for the track in Metropolis Studios located in London, United Kingdom, and provided all of the instrumentation and programming.[6] Kuk Harrell provided the vocal production of the song and also recorded Rihanna's vocals together with Marcos Tovar at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California. Blake Mares and Robert Cohen served as assistant vocal engineer of "What Now".[6] It was mixed by Phil Than at Ninja Club Studios in Atlanta, Georgia with Daniela Rivera serving as assistant mixing engineer.[6]
Composition and critical reception
"What Now" is a piano-led mid tempo ballad which lasts three minutes and nine seconds.[7][8] Its structure "flips" from verse to chorus "like they’re from two different planets", according to Michael Gallucci of PopCrush. Gallucci also felt that Rihanna's over-sings on the track, in contrast with Chris Younie of 4Music who said that Rihanna sounds "sweet".[9][7] During the "roaring" chorus, sounds which resemble "sonic bombs" are included in the background.[7][9] The instrumental features "crashing" drums.[7]
A Billboard reviewer praised "What Now" and called the song an "emotional highlight on an album filled with moments of resonance in its second half."[10] Giovanny Caquias of Culture Blues wrote that the song feels like the first "candid" and "insightful" track on Unapologetic. He continued, "Rihanna gets a little introspective on What Now, and doesn’t resort to being overtly sexual or defiantly callous (more on that later), which gave me the feeling that she stripped away her armor for a moment and actually allowed herself to be 'real'."[11] Daily News' Jim Farber wrote that although "What Now" may not rival a Beyoncé song, it shows a heft.[12] Brad Stern of MTV Buzzworthy praised Rihanna's vocals on the song and referred to it as a "most poignant offering on the record".[13] New Jersey On-Line's reviewer labeled the song as "staggering power ballad that makes all her other mid-tempo numbers sound featherweight by comparison."[14] Andy Kellman of Allmusic praised "What Now" and called it a "massive, slamming, wailing power ballad".[15] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times positively reviewed the song writing, "Rihanna is doing some of her most direct, ambitious singing here. It’s the album’s one real purge, and a sign of a pulse beneath the armor."[16] Genevieve Koski for The A.V. Club criticised "What Now", writing that it (as well as "Stay") are the types of "milquetoast ballads" which have never been Rihanna's speciality.[17]
Credits and personnel
- Recording
- Recorded at Metropolis Studios, London, United Kingdom.
- Vocals recorded at Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California.
- Mixed at Ninja Club Studios, Atlanta, Georgia.
- Personnel
- Songwriting – Olivia Waithe, Robyn Fenty, Parker Ighile, Nathan Cassells
- Production – Ighile, Cassells
- Recording engineers – Ighile, Cassells
- Assistant vocal engineer – Blake Mares, Robert Cohen
- Vocal recording – Kuk Harrell, Marcos Tovar
- Vocal production – Kuk Harrell
- Mixing – Phil Than
- Additional/assistant engineering – Daniela Rivera
- Instruments and programming – Ighile, Cassells
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Unapologetic, Def Jam Recordings, SRP Records.[6]
Charts
![]() |
Upon the release of Unapologetic, "What Now" charted in France and on two charts in the United Kingdom due mostly to strong digital downloads. It debuted on the French Singles Chart at number 144 for the week dated December 1, 2012, and remained on the chart for one week.[18] On December 2, 2012, it debuted at number 165 on the UK Singles Chart,[19] and number 32 on the UK R&B Chart.[20]
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
France (SNEP)[18] | 144 |
UK R&B Chart (OCC)[20] | 32 |
UK Singles Chart (OCC)[19] | 165 |
References
- ^ Harrington, Jim (April 6, 2013). "Setlist: Rihanna in San Jose". Mercury News. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
- ^ "Rihanna on Katy Perry Collaboration: 'It's Gonna Happen'". Rap-Up. Devine Lazerine. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
- ^ Lansky, Sam (September 12, 2012). "Rihanna’s New Album Due Out In November, Sources Say". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
- ^ "Rihanna Teases New Album Details As She Launches Website Dedicated To Seventh Record". Capital FM. September 24, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
- ^ "Rihanna Reveals New Album Title 'Unapologetic' And Raunchy Cover Artwork". Capital FM. October 11, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Unapologetic (inlay cover). Rihanna. Def Jam Recordings, SRP. 2012. p. 19.
- ^ a b c d Youine, Chris (November 21, 2012). "News: Review: Rihanna – Unapologetic". 4Music. Box Television. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
- ^ "iTunes – Music – Unapologetic by Rihanna". iTunes Store (GB). Apple. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
- ^ a b Galluci, Michael (November 19, 2012). "Rihanna, 'Unapologetic' – Album Review". PopCrush. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- ^ "Rihanna, 'Unapologetic': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. November 17, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
- ^ Caquias, Giovanny (November 28, 2012). "Album Review: 'Unapologetic' – Rihanna". Culture Blues. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^ Farber, Jim (November 19, 2012). "Album Review: Rihanna, 'Unapologetic'". Daily News (Mortimer Zuckerman). Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^ Stern, Brad (November 19, 2012). "Rihanna 'Unapologetic': Track-By-Track Review... In GIFs!". MTV Buzzoworthy. Viacom. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^ "CD reviews: Rihanna, Ellie Goulding, Said the Whale". New Jersey On-Line. November 23, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "Unapologetic: Rihanna". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (November 20, 2012). "Rihanna, Icy Hot and Steely-Strong". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^ Koski, Genevieve (November 20, 2012). "Rihanna: Unapologetic". The A.V. Club (Chicago: The Onion, Inc). Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ a b "lescharts.com – Rihanna – Jump". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Les Charts. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
- ^ a b "Chart: CLUK Update 1.12.2012 (wk47) – Chart log UK: New Entries Update". Official Charts Company. Zobbel. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
- ^ a b "2012-12-01 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
External links
|