British-Japanese singer Rina Sawayama has released her second album ‘SAWAYAMA’, following debut mini-album ‘RINA’. The album came out last Friday, 17th April, to a reception of praise from both fans and critics.
The artist wrote a heartfelt message to fans on the release day, saying “I don’t know what else to say. It’s now yours.” After weeks of promotion, Sawayama held an online listening party to celebrate and promote the new release – her first full length album. The singer listened to the album and chatted to fans, answering their questions.
SAWAYAMA
my debut album i dont know what else to say. its now urs. out now. https://t.co/x7KNOZy6oz— #STREAMSAWAYAMA DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW (@rinasawayama) April 17, 2020
Reviewed by top music critics including writers at Rolling Stone, the album is already a hit. Hendrik Schneider of Rolling Stone wrote “Get used to hearing Rina Sawayama’s name in every conversation about what’s hot in pop this year.” The album was produced by Clarence Clarity and Sawayama herself, with help from Bram Inscore, Nate Company, and Nicole Morier, creating a wide range of sounds and genres across the songs. Speaking to Consequence of Sound, Sawayama said “Everything kind of picks up from different bits of the 2000s. I think music was so diverse then.”
Prior to the album’s release, multiple singles were revealed, including ‘XS’ and ‘Comme Des Garçons (Like The Boys)’, both of which were accompanied by innovative music videos and reached over 1 million plays on Spotify. Other singles were ‘STFU!’, ‘Chosen Family’, and ‘Bad Friend’.
Rina Sawayama began her music career in 2013 with the release of singles ‘Who?’ and ‘Sleeping in Waking’. She was a model as well as a singer and songwriter, going on to put out her debut album and support Charlie XCX on her tour in 2019. She is now signed to Dirty Hit records in London.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Sawayama has had to reschedule her 2020 tour dates, which will now be going ahead from September to November. Find tickets on her website and check out the full UK tour dates below.
20/09/2020 – King Tut’s – Glasgow, Scotland
22/09 – Gorilla – Manchester, UK
23/09 – O2 Institute3 – Birmingham, UK
24/09 – Electric Brixton – London, UK
now if having a billboard in an EMPTY TIMES SQUARE isnt the most me thing EVER i dont know what is !!!!!! thank u @spotify for ur support with the album whats ur fave track on the album so far ?????? #streamsawayama pic.twitter.com/GW6qA8k9R1
— #STREAMSAWAYAMA DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW (@rinasawayama) April 18, 2020
