Rihanna Delves Into ‘Unexplored Territory’ On Latest Song

Rihanna returns to the music scene with an all-new song from the Smurfs movie soundtrack, thanks to news outlets like iHeartRadio for promoting its release.

Following the recent news that she is expecting baby no. 3, she releases the song “Friend of Mine.” Produced by Jon Bellion, Fallen, and Pete Nappi, the song is an upbeat electronic track about instantly connecting with someone new.

In the accompanying music video, Rihanna enters the Smurfs’ home in the forest while holding an oversized flower and transforms into her character Smurfette, who Katy Perry and Demi Lovato originally voiced in previous films. The Smurfs party it up while “Friend of Mine” blares throughout the village.

The song appears on the official soundtrack for the upcoming Smurfs movie, starring Rihanna, James, Nick Offerman, Daniel Levy, Natasha Lynne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Marshmello, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman. The film stars Rihanna as Smurfette, who rounds up the gang to save Papa Smurf (Goodman) after evil wizards kidnap him. The soundtrack also features new music from artists such as Cardi B, DJ Khaled, DESI TRILL, Natania, and Subhi.

Meanwhile, fans from X have shared their reactions to the new song and the overall response is mixed so far. One user from X tweeted, “Mrs. Fenty ASAP never miss[es].”

There have been some people showing support while there are others in disagreement. “Actually you know what, motherhood looks amazing on you, go back to that cause this ain’t it,” another user said.

In fact, those who are not pleased with the track are saying that either Rihanna should “retire already” or that the song was “messy.” But regardless of who is critiquing the track, Bellion explained in an interview with Billboard that Rihanna was searching for “unexplored territory” while recording this song.

“She’s not looking for ‘We Found Love 2.0,’ or ‘Work 2.0,’” Bellion says. “The arrangement and the feel feels all very new — very cutting-edge, in front of what the next wave will be, because she usually tries to do that every time she puts something out.”

Bellion continues with this: “My whole career, I’ve wanted [a song] that plays at all events — all the baby showers and sweet sixteens and weddings and Bar Mitzvahs…I don’t think I’ve ever really had one of those, so feels great and hopefully it does well.”

The official music video for “Friend of Mine” is available to watch on YouTube; Smurfs hits theaters everywhere on July 18.

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