It's one of the more unusual spates in pop at the moment – getting starkers for your album cover. So is it a metaphor for revealing your true self? A poetic sign of your vulnerability? Or just a sleazy way to sell a few more records? Latest in the nude club is Rihanna.
When? 2012.
What's the pitch? Rihanna doesn't have to answer to anyone. And, as probably the biggest pop star on the planet, she's got a point.
Hard to swallow? Everyone's got used to seeing Rihanna's flesh, so plus ça change. The greater controversy is the title, which critics are taking to mean Ri-Ri couldn't give a stuff what we think about her consorting with Chris Brown again.
What's the pitch? Rihanna doesn't have to answer to anyone. And, as probably the biggest pop star on the planet, she's got a point.
Hard to swallow? Everyone's got used to seeing Rihanna's flesh, so plus ça change. The greater controversy is the title, which critics are taking to mean Ri-Ri couldn't give a stuff what we think about her consorting with Chris Brown again.
Martha Wainwright: Come Home To Mama
When? 2012.
What's the pitch? Another emotionally bare cover. Wainwright's new album is haunted by the ghost of her mother Kate McGarrigle, who died in 2010. Unclothed, in the foetal position, Wainwright is delivering a heartbreaking tale.
Hard to swallow? No one's upset yet. It would be a bit insensitive to get all hoity-toity about what's essentially a tame piece of meaningful angst.
What's the pitch? Another emotionally bare cover. Wainwright's new album is haunted by the ghost of her mother Kate McGarrigle, who died in 2010. Unclothed, in the foetal position, Wainwright is delivering a heartbreaking tale.
Hard to swallow? No one's upset yet. It would be a bit insensitive to get all hoity-toity about what's essentially a tame piece of meaningful angst.
Christina Aguilera: Lotus
When? 2012
What's the pitch? Xtina likes being in the buff.Hard to swallow? Ever since she shook off the Mickey Mouse Club image, Aguilera's embraced the sauce with unbridled (and generally unclothed) enthusiasm. Is anyone batting an eyelid now?
Katy Perry: Teenage Dream
When? 2010.
What's the pitch? With nothing but a waft of pink cloud covering her womanly virtues, Katy Perry has always been keen on the provocative: from kissing girls to firing whipped cream from fake bosoms. Teenage Dream is Perry setting herself up as the poster girl of slightly stale-smelling 13-year-old boys' bedrooms.
Hard to swallow? People were mainly surprised she bothered with the cloud over her backside.
What's the pitch? With nothing but a waft of pink cloud covering her womanly virtues, Katy Perry has always been keen on the provocative: from kissing girls to firing whipped cream from fake bosoms. Teenage Dream is Perry setting herself up as the poster girl of slightly stale-smelling 13-year-old boys' bedrooms.
Hard to swallow? People were mainly surprised she bothered with the cloud over her backside.
Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
When? 2010.
What's the pitch? Kanye wants to have some kind of weird phoenix lover. Or the girl who's wronged him is a twisted mythical creature. Either way, it's just a bonkers painting so can't possibly offend anyone.
Hard to swallow? Actually, it offended plenty of people and was even banned in some record stores. Acccording to the painter, George Condo, this was exactly what Kanye wanted, the cheeky chapster, so all's well that ends well.
What's the pitch? Kanye wants to have some kind of weird phoenix lover. Or the girl who's wronged him is a twisted mythical creature. Either way, it's just a bonkers painting so can't possibly offend anyone.
Hard to swallow? Actually, it offended plenty of people and was even banned in some record stores. Acccording to the painter, George Condo, this was exactly what Kanye wanted, the cheeky chapster, so all's well that ends well.
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