Rihanna, Friend of Mine | Song Review 🎵

Grammy-winning R&B/pop superstar Rihanna drops a polarizing single with “Friend of Mine” from the Smurfs Movie soundtrack.

We take what we can get from Rihanna, or do we?  Formerly one of pop and R&B’s most prolific artists, Rihanna hasn’t released a studio album since 2016 (ANTI).  And, with a third baby on the way, no new full-length album seems imminent.  But Rihanna has dropped a few singles along the way since her extended hiatus.  Her latest is called “Friend Of Mine” from the Smurfs Movie soundtrack.  “Friend of Mine” features seven writers, including Rihanna.  Among the producers are Jon Bellion, f a l l e n, and Pete Nappi.

“Friend Of Mine” is polarizing from the start. It commences enigmatically.  The sound effects catch the ears, as does the hard-hitting groove once it kicks in. The first time we hear Rihanna is nearly a minute in.  Once she enters the mix, “Friend Of Mine” gains some stability and makes more sense tonally. Rihanna sounds ok…  given the oddity and wacky nature of this children’s soundtrack cut.  Does she say much? No, something like this:

“Ooh, I think the word here is déjà vu

Just met you tonight, but you feel like a friend of mine

Feel like a friend of mine, feel like a friend of mine

…How can so familiar be so brand new?”

You get the idea.  Honestly, that’s about the size of it.  She sings two choruses (that’s the only major section) where a new friend feels like an old friend over one of the weirder beats I’ve heard all 2025.  Depending on who you are, you’ll love it or you’ll hate it.  I don’t want to overanalyze a children’s soundtrack cut I should have probably skipped in the first place, but this one’s not for me. 

Rihanna // “Friend of  Mine” – from the Smurfs Movie soundtrack // Westbury Road Entertainment / Roc Nation Distribution // 5.16.25

[📷: Westbury Road Entertainment / Roc Nation Distribution]