Rihanna has burst back onto the music scene as she released her highly-anticipated single Lift Me Up, but some fans have been left disappointed by the new song.
The 34-year-old chart-topper dropped the new track on Friday, making it her first solo music since the 2016 album Anti. Rihanna recorded the song for the upcoming Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever.
Lift Me Up features a stripped back melody, with the singer accompanied by a subtle backing choir.
Following the release of the single, fans flocked to Twitter to share their opinions and some people were far from happy.
One person wrote: "Im sorry but new Rihanna a snoozefest idc for it," while another echoed their sentiment: "Yeah, this is a blockbuster snoozefest. Not what I had hoped for after the long break." [sic]
"Rihanna ruined my day," a third person tweeted. Another added: "This new Rihanna single ain't it."
One fan seemed torn about the song, commenting: "It’s really good to hear Rihanna's voice again but Lift Me Up is not a comeback song, not even close."
Others seemed to thoroughly enjoy the track, with one fan writing: "Rihanna's new song is so gorgeously hypnotic. Feels like the kind of song I'd do breathing exercises to, or play as I lay in the dark and let wash over me. It's so pretty."
"In the words of @gregjames 'today is @rihanna day'. The queen is back," penned another.
A third fan said: "Rihanna’s song is also beautiful so it’s just tears today huh," while another added: "Look at what Rihanna has been starving me all these years. A queen."
Announcing the release of her new song, Rihanna shared a simple tweet which read: "#LiftMeUp."
According to Variety, the tune is 'a tribute to the life and legacy of the late Chadwick Boseman' and was written by Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna and Ryan Coogler, director of Wakanda Forever.
Chadwick tragically passed away in 2020 at the age of 43 following a secret four-year battle with colon cancer.
After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life," said Tems.
She told the magazine: "I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them. Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honour."
Last month Rihanna also revealed she will be performing at the next Super Bowl halftime show. The performance will be her first major live performance in years.
In 2019, Rihanna declined to perform in the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show out of solidarity with former US football player Colin Kaepernick.
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