Rihanna Says ‘Unapologetic’ Will Be “Freer”

2012 seems to be the year Rihanna let her guard down. In previous interviews, the “We Found Love” singer talked about feeling claustrophobic at the start of her career, with Def Jam trying to fit her into an image and not considering her personality. On the flipside of that, she called Chris Brown’s attack “liberating” in an interview with Elle.

Added to that greater sense of freedom is her upcoming album, Unapologetic. Due next month, the singer’s album just spawned new single “Diamonds” and will be followed by a world tour of the same name in 2013.

In speaking with Vogue, Rihanna stated Unapologetic will have a hopeful tone and represent her “fearless,” “freer” side. In an interview for her second time on the magazine’s cover, she said: "When people listen to my new album I want them to walk away with a spirit of hope."

She went onto describe it as: "A light spirit. That's the place I'm in and I want them to see that and I want them to feel that."

So far, perhaps as an embodiment of her free-spirit character, Unapologetic’s album cover features the singer topless.

The singer’s supposed relationship with Chris Brown is tied into her upcoming album’s release. Last week, gossip website HollywoodLife.com revealed she plans to come forward about their relationship, which has been reported as a string of hookups and kisses, in November.