Consideration (song)

Writing and recording

"Consideration" was written by Rihanna, Solana Rowe and Tyran Donaldson. It was produced by Donaldson with vocal production being done by Kuk Harrell. Shea Taylor was responsible for keyboards, Carter Lang played organ and synth bass, and Marcos Tovar was in charge of the vocal recording. The song was recorded at the Jungle City Studios in New York City and mixed at Larrabee Studios in Universal City. "Consideration" features vocals by American singer SZA, who is part of Top Dawg Entertainment, an independent label, with Donaldson. She published a few lines of the track during an Instagram post on May 21, 2015. Later, she showed Rihanna the track and, according to her, they "vibed". For SZA, the song reminded her of the movie Dangerous Minds (1995) "mixed with the yodeling" from Insidious (2010).

Composition and lyrical interpretation

"Consideration" is the opening track of the album, with a length of two minutes and forty-one seconds, with Jeff Benjamin of Fuse considering it "more of ANTI's intro track than a proper pop song." It was written in the key of Gm with a tempo of 145 beats per minute. It is a "glitchy, dub-inspired" pop and hip hop track, "fusing an eerie, down-tempo tune," with a "stuttering, distorted beat," "pounding percussion" "a crunchy groove," and a "throbbing bass line." During the song, she explores the contours of her Barbadian accent, "jump[ing] from powerful, low notes to head-voice notes." Rihanna's tone are "pugnacious, but playful," according to Emily MacKay of NME. Forrest Wickman of Slate stated that Kuk Harrell "lift[s] the bass line from Common's 'Be (Intro).'"

Lyrically, "Consideration" is a declaration of independence, where Rihanna is trying to prove "she is the one steering the wheel of her career," outlining "her worth as artist and business asset." The song opens with "a Peter Pan metaphor about being held back from maturing," where she sings: "I come fluttering in from Neverland [...] Why will you never let me grow?." In the chorus, she bluntly sings: "I got to do things my own way, darling," while also complaining and asking "in a thick patois": "Will you ever let me? Will you ever respect me? No!." 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?." During one part she sings rebelliously, "Let me cover your shit in glitter, I can make it gold."

Nolan Feeney of Time opined that in the song "Rihanna seems determined to explain what took her so long." Bianca Gracie of Idolator went further, analysing that it features "lyrical nods to her 2014 transition from Def Jam to Roc Nation." Chris Gerard of PopMatters stated that the lyrics deal with "an issue that frequently arises when a young artist who is largely controlled by record label executives, managers and producers gets to the point where she can flex her own artistic muscles." 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 that, though moderately successfully, failed to resonate with fans or critics the way her past hits have. And without missing a beat, Rihanna provides a pointed, unapologetic rejoinder to the rhetorical questions posed in the song's lyrics:'No.'"

Critical reception

Amanda Petrusich of Pitchfork called it "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." Petrusich also highlighted her "grainy, mesmerizing voice [which] is paramount [on the track]." Julianne Escobedo Shepherd of Billboard defined it as "a plucky thesis that delivers as the album's stony layers peel back," calling it "a loping, patois pop number." Indicating the song as an example, 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." Bianca Gracie of Idolator praised "the floral vocal addition from SZA," which according to her, "elevates the track to edgier heights." Emily MacKay of NME claimed the song's message is clear: "she’s excelled at being a pro, but now is her time to be an Anti." 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. It’s languid but assured, and that’s before neo-soul singer Sza’s otherworldly, Kate Bush-style vocals bob and weave around the beat."

Praising for being a "punchy, broody banger," Patrick Ryan of USA Today defined it as "a confident, promising prelude to whatever else Anti has in store." Forrest Wickman of Slate labelled it "a swaggering statement of purpose for post–Def Jam Rihanna." Claire Lobenfeld of Fact wrote that the track "is a flag waving toward change," declaring that it "portends the subdued album that is about to come. And it’s about damn time that Rihanna ditched enormous party-starters in favor of her blunted reality." Brennan Carey of Spin praised the artistry within the song, while Safy-Hallan Farah thought the song is "an appropriate introduction to an idiosyncratic album." Emily Jupp of The Independent was positive, declaring: "Picture driving in a car, slowly, with the roof down, there’s a haze of perfumed smoke in the air. The song sets out her agenda for the album; doing it her own way with surprising lyrics and introducing a relaxed stoner vibe."

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.'" 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." Jessica McKinney of Vibe praised the pairing between Rihanna and SZA, writing that "the two compliment each other well as they exchange vocals about cutting ties," noting that the sound "stay true to SZA’s alt-soul background and Rih’s affinity for hip-hop." McKinney also noticed that it "has a feel good nature that sets the pace for what the rest of the album will sound like." Allan Raible of ABC News opined that "while authoritative and coldly sleek, [it] sets things off on a quirky, off-kilter foot." Chris Gerard of PopMatters was more mixed, calling it "a pedestrian mid-tempo groove with no real spark."

Live performances

During the 2016 Brit Awards, Rihanna performed "Consideration" with SZA as an introduction to the full performance of "Work" on February 24, 2016. It was Rihanna's first appearance to promote the album with a live performance. "Consideration" was also included on her Anti World Tour (2016). Josh Duboff of Vanity Fair praised the "Consideration" and "Needed Me" performances, noting that both "came alive more in the live setting than they do on the album, perhaps due to Rihanna’s evident passion in selling them."

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Rihanna's official website.

Charts

After the release of Anti, "Consideration charted on the French Singles Chart at number sixty-three and on the Swedish Singles Chart at number seventy-two. Following the performance at the Brit Awards, the song also charted on the UK Singles Chart at number eighty-eight and on the UK R&B Chart at number eighteen.