<P> "Love on the Brain" is a mid-tempo' 50s and' 60s inspired doo - wop and soul ballad, with a "rock edge". Its instrumentation consists of a "guitar arpeggio," "swirling organ", a "simple chord progression", syncopated strings, and "a wave of an orchestra". Written in the key of G major, it has a tempo of 57 beats per minute in compound quadruple () time . The song follows a chord progression of G--Am--Em--D, and Rihanna's vocals span from D to G . </P> <P> Rihanna's vocals were noted as being acrobatic ranging from her "trademark snarl", to high notes, complemented by all - tenor backing vocals . Forrest Wickman of Slate magazine commented that the song "seems designed as a showcase for Rihanna's vocal versatility: She starts out singing high and sweet, then drops into her chest to show off the lower part of her range and finally gets into powerful belting . She even does a few seconds of what sounds like Frankie Valli's falsetto ." Jordan Bassett of NME compared her high notes to those of Mariah Carey, while Vibe magazine and USA Today noted similarities with the work of Beyoncé and Erykah Badu . Amy Winehouse, Etta James and Sam Cooke were also perceived as influences by critics, with Michigan Daily's Christian Kennedy citing Winehouse's song "Wake Up Alone" as the song that Rihanna had borrowed from "stylistically ." </P> <P> "Love on the Brain" has dark lyrics that depict a destructive, yet addictive relationship, with themes of "swinging back and forth between the highs and lows of love". Some critics believed the song was an "ode to a violent lover", possibly referring to Chris Brown after the pair's highly published domestic violence case . Lyrical examples include "It beats me black and blue but it fucks me so good / That I can't get enough / Must be love on the brain ." Adam R. Holz of the conservative organization Focus on the Family's website PluggedIn.com noted the song "mingles nihilism, lust and at least the metaphorical presence of physical abuse". Jessica Eggert of Mic agreed, noting that "Rihanna wears her heart right on her sleeve and takes no prisoners in expressing the pain of a metaphorically and physically damaging - yet - undying love ." </P> <P> Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic picked it as a highlight from the album, noting that Rihanna's "voice is hoarse and ravaged, yet she's also controlled and precise, knowing how to hone these imperfections so her performance echoes classic soul while feeling fresh". Julianne Escobedo Shepherd of Billboard deemed it "a doo - wop powerhouse sung in a Prince - adjacent falsetto--and is proof Rihanna's been working with some primo vocal coaches". Idolator's Bianca Gracie also complimented her vocals, writing that the "rough - edged, soulful ballad finds Rih at her vocal best". Patrick Ryan of USA Today called the song an "easy highlight," noting the "cozy doo - wop nostalgia". Emily Mackay of NME noted the doo - wop groove, deeming Rihanna's vocals a "powerhouse vocal performance". Jordan Bassett of the same publication called it "totally brilliant, with the singer showcasing the kind of vocals we've not heard from her before". Safy - Hallan Farah of Spin wrote favorably of her singing, while James Grabay of the same magazine named it an "effortlessly time - traveling track". </P>

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