After nearly a decade of silence on the album front, global icon Rihanna is finally giving fans something to vibe to, and it’s wrapped in an unexpected but colorful package.
The multi-hyphenate megastar is making waves once again, this time as both the voice of Smurfette and the voice behind “Friend of Mine”, her first single in three years, featured on the upcoming Smurfs movie soundtrack. The animated musical, directed by Chris Miller (Shrek the Third, Puss in Boots), follows Smurfette leading a heroic mission into the real world to rescue Papa Smurf — voiced by none other than John Goodman — from sinister wizards Razamel and Gargamel.
But it’s the sound of the film that’s grabbing headlines.
The new single, Friend of Mine, teased in the film’s latest trailer, is a breezy Afrobeats-inspired dance track that captures Rihanna’s unmistakable voice and her love for rhythmic, feel-good music. Fans got a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the star in her element — laughing, headphones on, immersed in the studio vibe — as the song played over scenes of blue-tinted adventure and animated mischief.
For music lovers and Rihanna’s loyal Navy, this marks a significant moment. The last we heard from her musically was in 2022 with the Oscar-nominated ballad Lift Me Up, a powerful tribute to Chadwick Boseman from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. And before that? 2016’s Anti — a groundbreaking album that left fans hungry for more.
Now, with Friend of Mine officially dropping on May 16 and the Smurfs movie slated for release on July 18, the music world is buzzing with anticipation. Rihanna recently revealed she has “cracked the code” on her next body of work and is feeling “really good” about where her sound is headed. If this new release is any indication, we can expect a bold, refreshing new chapter — both sonically and visually.
At Cover Art Express, we know moments like this aren’t just about the music — they’re about the visual narrative that connects fans to an artist’s journey. From album artwork to animated features, from promotional design to vibrant visualizers, Rihanna’s return reminds us why art direction is as crucial as the music itself.
So whether you’re an artist looking to release your next single or a creative dreaming up your own animated masterpiece, let this be your inspiration: Great music needs great visuals.
Cover Art Express is here to bring your creative vision to life — because every sound deserves a stunning look.
