Rihanna’s second album, A Girl Like Me, is a 16-track mission statement: proof that the pop star who made “SOS” can hold her own without leaning on a single. The record opens with its biggest hit and closes with a full remix, but the middle stretches test whether Rihanna can fill a full-length album with songs that sound like singles. The answer is mostly yes.
Opening With SOS
“SOS” sets the tone: urgent, desperate, and built for radio. It’s the album’s calling card, and it earns that title. “Kisses Don’t Lie” follows at a slower pace, a gentle love song that doesn’t quite match the energy of what came before it.
Unfaithful and the Middle Stretch
“Unfaithful” is the record’s best moment after the opener. It’s tense, dramatic, and the kind of song that could carry a whole album on its own. “We Ride” is less memorable, a solid mid-tempo track that doesn’t leave much of an impression.
“Dem Haters” is the standout of the middle stretch.
“Dem Haters” is the exception. It’s sharp, witty, and one of the few tracks here that feels fully formed from start to finish. “Final Goodbye,” “Break It Off,” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” round out this section without doing much to separate themselves from the pack.
Selfish Girl and the Ballad Problem
“Selfish Girl” is a genuine highlight, a moody track that shows Rihanna can write about desire without resorting to cliché. “P.S. (I’m Still Not Over You)” and “A Girl Like Me” are both ballads that lean heavily on melody over hooks, and they don’t land with the same force as the album’s more direct cuts.
“A Million Miles Away” is the weakest stretch of the record. It’s pleasant enough, but it passes through without leaving much of an imprint. “If It’s Lovin’ That You Want – Part 2” picks the energy back up, though it doesn’t match the impact of the original.
Who Ya Gonna Run To and the Remix
“Who Ya Gonna Run To” is a solid closer, building toward the album’s final push. Then comes the full remix of “Pon de Replay,” which turns the original’s lightness into something bigger and more polished. It’s a strong way to end the record, even if it’s not the strongest song on its own.
Coulda Been the One
The penultimate track, “Coulda Been the One,” closes things out with a quiet, reflective note. It’s a fitting end to an album that spends most of its runtime chasing intensity.
The Track List in Order
| # | Track |
|---|---|
| 1 | SOS |
| 2 | Kisses Don’t Lie |
| 3 | Unfaithful |
| 4 | We Ride |
| 5 | Dem Haters |
| 6 | Final Goodbye |
| 7 | Break It Off |
| 8 | Crazy Little Thing Called Love |
| 9 | Selfish Girl |
| 10 | P.S. (I’m Still Not Over You) |
| 11 | A Girl Like Me |
| 12 | A Million Miles Away |
| 13 | If It’s Lovin’ That You Want – Part 2 |
| 14 | Who Ya Gonna Run To |
| 15 | Pon de Replay (Full Phatt remix) |
| 16 | Coulda Been the One |
The Verdict
A Girl Like Me isn’t perfect, but it’s far from a failure. The singles are strong, the ballads are uneven, and the remix closes things on a high note. Rihanna avoids the sophomore slump that traps so many pop stars, and she does it by sheer force of personality.
The album’s best moments — “SOS,” “Unfaithful,” “Dem Haters,” “Selfish Girl” — are better than almost anything else on the record. The weaker tracks are forgettable, not bad. Taken together, A Girl Like Me proves Rihanna can carry a full-length project without relying on a single hit.
8 of 10.
- SOS4:03
- Kisses Don't Lie3:55
- Unfaithful3:51
- We Ride3:59
- Dem Haters4:22
- Final Goodbye3:16
- Break It Off3:37
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love3:26
- Selfish Girl3:41
- P.S. (I'm Still Not Over You)4:14
- A Girl Like Me4:20
- A Million Miles Away4:14
- If It's Lovin' That You Want - Part 24:11
- Who Ya Gonna Run To4:07
- Pon de Replay (Full Phatt remix)3:25
- Coulda Been the One3:39
