Jump to content

XS (song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Dangerousalex (talk | contribs) at 18:31, 10 August 2020. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"XS"
Single by Rina Sawayama
from the album Sawayama
Released2 March 2020
Genre
Length3:21
LabelDirty Hit
Songwriter(s)
  • Kyle Shearer
  • Chris Lyon
  • Nate Campany
  • Rina Sawayama
Producer(s)
  • Kyle Shearer
  • Chris Lyon
  • Valley Girl
Rina Sawayama singles chronology
"Comme des Garçons (Like the Boys)"
(2020) 		"XS"
(2020) 		"Chosen Family"
(2020)
Music video
"XS" on YouTube
Bree Runway remix cover
File:Rina Sawayama ft. Bree Runway - XS (remix single cover).png
Bree Runway singles chronology
"Damn Daniel"
(2020) 		"XS"
(2020) 		"Gucci"
(2020)

"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

  1. "XS" – 3:21
  • Digital download/streaming – Bree Runway Remix[16][17]
  1. "XS" (Bree Runway Remix) – 3:22

References

  1. ^ Hussey, Alison (2 March 2020). "Listen to Rina Sawayama's New Song "XS"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  2. ^ Damshenas, Sam. "Rina Sawayama unveils 2000s R&B-inspired new single XS". GAYTIMES. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Spanos, Brittany (17 April 2020). "Rina Sawayama Is the Pop Moment on Her Debut Album, 'Sawayama'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  6. ^ Ingvaldsen, Torsten (3 March 2020). "Rina Sawayama Lambastes Consumerism on New Single "XS"". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Key & BPM for XS by Rina Sawayama". Tunebat. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  8. ^ Myers, Sophia (5 March 2020). "Track review: Rina Sawayama drops new single "XS"". EUPHORIA. Magazine. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  9. ^ Rina Sawayama (17 April 2020). "Rina Sawayama - XS (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Rina Sawayama shares tongue-in-cheek 'XS' video". DIY. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  11. ^ Megarry, Daniel. "Rina Sawayama takes on capitalism in style with her XS music video". GAYTIMES. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  12. ^ Richards, Will (18 April 2020). "Tune into the shopping channel in Rina Sawayama's new 'XS' video". NME. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  13. ^ Kaye, Ben (17 April 2020). "Rina Sawayama Hawks 24k Gold Beverage in "XS" Video: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Rina Sawayama: XS - Music on Google Play". Google Play. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  15. ^ "XS by Rina Sawayama on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  16. ^ "XS (Bree Runway Remix) [feat. Bree Runway] – Single by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  17. ^ "XS (feat. Bree Runway Remix) by Rina Sawayama, Bree Runway on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=XS_(song)&oldid=972194674"