Personnel: Rihanna (vocals).

Additional personnel: Jay-Z, Ne-Yo (rap vocals).

The music of Barbados-born singer Rihanna--a breezy blend of hip-hop, commercial pop, and Caribbean flavors--made her a bona fide superstar before the age of 20. Given her immediate success, one had to wonder if Rihanna would be a flash in the pan, but her third album, 2007's GOOD GIRL GONE BAD, is a winner. Interestingly, Rihanna avoids the Caribbean tinge that made her breakthrough single "Pon the Replay" a massive hit, sticking instead to more straightforward dance-pop designed for the club and the singles charts. More interesting still, she pulls it off with assurance and skill.

It doesn't hurt that heavyweight producers such as Timbaland (who contributes several tracks to GOOD GIRL) are on board, or that Rihanna is backed by the Def Jam empire. In fact, Def Jam president Jay-Z appears on the album's lead single, "Umbrella," an irresistible, stomping dance anthem that does exactly what a single should. Another highlight is "Shut Up and Drive," which works a powerful groove based around a sample of New Order's "Blue Monday." There are notably fewer ballads here than on Rihanna's sophomore effort, which is a welcome change, and makes the album more focused, energized, and danceable front to back.

Entertainment Weekly (p.p.79) - "Rihanna's tangy tremolo is unmistakably reminiscent of early hip-hop-soul divas Monica and SWV's Coko....A thrilling throwback to more than a decade ago."

Uncut (p.110) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[A] shiny, trans-atlantic blend of Europop vim, R&B grit and Caribbean bounce."

Vibe (p.69) - "[A]n adventurous reinvention....Rihanna's strength still lies in uptempo numbers..."