Consideration (song)
"Consideration" is a dub-inspired pop and hip hop song, with a "stuttering, distorted beat", "pounding percussion", "a crunchy groove", and a "throbbing bass line" in its instrumentation.
"Consideration" was originally meant for inclusion on SZA's debut album, Ctrl (2017), with the title "LouAnne Johnson", which was inspired by and named after Michelle Pfeiffer's character in Dangerous Minds (1995).
Shea Taylor was responsible for keyboards, Carter Lang played organ and synth bass, and Marcos Tovar was in charge of the vocal recording.
[11] It is a "glitchy, dub-inspired"[10] pop[12] and hip-hop track,[13] "fusing an eerie, down-tempo tune,"[14] with a "stuttering, distorted beat,"[15] "pounding percussion"[16] "a crunchy groove,"[17] and a "throbbing bass line.
"[21] Lyrically, "Consideration" is a declaration of independence,[22] as Rihanna is trying to prove "she is the one steering the wheel of her career,"[23] outlining "her worth as artist and business asset.
[24] During the second verse, she "asserts that she's through with acting as the world's avatar," asking: "Darling, would you mind giving my reflection a break from the pain it's feeling now?".
"[22] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine declared: "To say that the album, her first in over three years, has had a contentious road to release is an understatement, with reports of false starts and, eventually, the promotion of three singles ['FourFiveSeconds', 'Bitch Better Have My Money' and 'American Oxygen'] that, though moderately successfully, failed to resonate with fans or critics the way her past hits have.
Amanda Petrusich of Pitchfork described "Consideration" as, "a prickly collaboration with the R&B singer SZA", noting that "the sentiment feels deliberately placed, meant as a way to read everything that follows."
"[15] Julianne Escobedo Shepherd of Billboard defined the song as, "a plucky thesis that delivers as the album's stony layers peel back," calling it "a loping, patois pop number.
"[12] Whereas, Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone reflected: "After years as a singer largely defined by her production, it finally feels like Rihanna is in charge of her own sound, remaking pop on her own terms.
"[20] Jordan Bassett of the same publication commended the song for being "such a strong start," highlighting "the pounding percussion and Rihanna's confident flow for arrest[ing] your attention.
"[16] Patrick Ryan of USA Today praised the song for being a "punchy, broody banger", and further described it as, "a confident, promising prelude to whatever else Anti has in store.
"[28] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine noted that the "heavy, distorted '90s-style loop and guest vocal by neo-soul singer SZA, suggested that Rihanna is determined to 'grow.
'"[26] Patricia Garcia of Vogue noted that the song "gives a mainstream introduction to the incredibly talented and underrated SZA, but it also may underscore Rihanna's intention to separate herself from her pop past.
"[29] Jessica McKinney of Vibe praised the pair, writing that, "the two compliment [sic] each other well as they exchange vocals about cutting ties," noting that the sound "stay[s] true to SZA's alt-soul background and Rih's affinity for hip-hop."
