XS (song)
"XS" | ||||
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Single by Rina Sawayama | ||||
from the album Sawayama | ||||
Released | 2 March 2020 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:21 | |||
Label | Dirty Hit | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Rina Sawayama singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"XS" on YouTube | ||||
Bree Runway remix cover | ||||
File:Rina Sawayama ft. Bree Runway - XS (remix single cover).png | ||||
Bree Runway singles chronology | ||||
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"XS" is a song by Japanese-British singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama, released on 2 March 2020, as the third single off of her debut studio album, Sawayama, via the label Dirty Hit. The song criticises capitalism in the face of climate change. A remix featuring British singer-rapper Bree Runway, was released on 10 July 2020.
Background, themes and composition
Sawayama said in a statement that "XS" is a song that "mocks capitalism in a sinking world":
"Given that we all know global climate change is accelerating and human extinction is a very real possibility within our lifetime it seemed hilarious to me that brands were still coming out with new makeup palettes every month and public figures were doing a gigantic house tour of their gated property in Calasbasas in the same week as doing a ‘sad about Australian wild fires’ Instagram post. I mean I’m guilty of turning a blind eye too, because otherwise it makes me depressed. We’re all hypocrites because we are all capitalists, and it’s a trap that I don’t see us getting out of. I wanted to reflect the chaos of this post-truth climate change denying world in the metal guitar stabs that flare up like an underlying zit between the 2000s R&B beat that reminds you of a time when everything was alright."[1]
"XS" is a 2000s-inspired[2] pop,[3] R&B[4] and avant-pop[5] song with "upbeat bubblegum pop vibes"[6] composed in the key of D minor with a tempo of 117 beats per minute.[7] It begins with an "eerie" buildup of violins,[8] while a "shredding" guitar riff appears before and after the chorus.[3]
Music video
The music video for "XS" was uploaded on YouTube on 17 April 2020, the same day as Sawayama's self-titled debut album.[9] It currently has over 3 million views, making it the most-viewed video on Sawayama's channel. It was directed by Ali Kurr, who had also previously directed the music video for her other single, "STFU!".[10]
In the video, Sawayama portrays a "QVC-like" "robotic" saleswoman[11] who attends a shopping channel broadcast to promote a beverage named "RINA Water", which consists 99% of 24-karat gold and 1% of plasma.[12][13] It is then later revealed that the liquid is extracted from a creature which is chained in an underground factory.[10]
Track listing
- "XS" – 3:21
- "XS" (Bree Runway Remix) – 3:22
References
- ^ Hussey, Alison (2 March 2020). "Listen to Rina Sawayama's New Song "XS"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ Damshenas, Sam. "Rina Sawayama unveils 2000s R&B-inspired new single XS". GAYTIMES. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ a b Kaye, Ben (3 March 2020). "Rina Sawayama Takes on Capitalist Hypocrisy on New Single "XS": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ Bray, Elisa (16 April 2020). "Rina Sawayama – SAWAYAMA review: An audacious album from one of the boldest voices in pop". The Independent. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ Spanos, Brittany (17 April 2020). "Rina Sawayama Is the Pop Moment on Her Debut Album, 'Sawayama'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ Ingvaldsen, Torsten (3 March 2020). "Rina Sawayama Lambastes Consumerism on New Single "XS"". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ "Key & BPM for XS by Rina Sawayama". Tunebat. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ Myers, Sophia (5 March 2020). "Track review: Rina Sawayama drops new single "XS"". EUPHORIA. Magazine. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ Rina Sawayama (17 April 2020). "Rina Sawayama - XS (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Rina Sawayama shares tongue-in-cheek 'XS' video". DIY. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
- ^ Megarry, Daniel. "Rina Sawayama takes on capitalism in style with her XS music video". GAYTIMES. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ Richards, Will (18 April 2020). "Tune into the shopping channel in Rina Sawayama's new 'XS' video". NME. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ Kaye, Ben (17 April 2020). "Rina Sawayama Hawks 24k Gold Beverage in "XS" Video: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ "Rina Sawayama: XS - Music on Google Play". Google Play. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ "XS by Rina Sawayama on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
- ^ "XS (Bree Runway Remix) [feat. Bree Runway] – Single by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ^ "XS (feat. Bree Runway Remix) by Rina Sawayama, Bree Runway on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 13 July 2020.