Rina Sawayama Is the Heiress Apparent to Pop Music in the Digital Age

If you are anything like me, you anxiously await whatever day of the week that your music streaming platform of choice adds new music. Personally, I stay up past midnight every Thursday night for Spotify’s “new music Friday,” and one week this summer I was graciously rewarded for my diligent behavior with the single “Cherry” by Rina Sawayama, who I had never heard of before. If you are currently in the dark about Rina, this article is here to save your from your unknowing deprivation, you’re welcome.

Sawayama started quietly releasing music in 2013, but began to gain a larger following of loyal fans, who she refers to as her “pixels,” after her self-titled EP dropped in 2017. Despite what the first song on her EP might say, Sawayama is no “ordinary superstar.” Her 90s inspired R&B/Pop style has a seamless 2018 electronic influence creating a sound that is both nostalgic and modern. The Times UK has already called her “the next Lady Gaga,” so you would be remiss to give her music the cold-shoulder.

If none of the above has been enough hype, her music also covers a wide and important range of topics. Technology, love, bisexuality and depression are just some of Sawayama’s most common subjects, and the depth with which she addresses them is meaningful and thought-provoking. Whether it’s the tradeoff between depression and numbness when taking anti-depressants on “10-20-40,” realizing you are attracted to the same-sex on “Cherry,” or the feeling of technologically-driven social isolation on “Tunnel Vision,” the content of her songs should not be overlooked.

I’m not saying you should clear an hour later today to listen to her entire discography… but you probably should. Watch the “Cherry” music video for a fun time or follow her on insta (@rinasonline) for some AMAZING looks, because she is also our newest style icon. Her first full album, RN1, is supposed to drop early next year, so you can thank me then when you are already are a super-fan and have pre-sale concert tickets when the singles start rolling out.

Feature image via.