RINA SAWAYAMA - [RH] HOLD THE GIRL - RED APPLE VINYL

Rina Sawayama (born 16 August 1990) is a Japanese-British singer, songwriter, actress and model. Known for her genre-blending approach to music, she incorporates elements of pop, R&B, rock, nu metal, dance-pop and electronic music into her work. Throughout her career, Sawayama has been praised for her powerful vocals, ambitious songwriting and exploration of themes including identity, family, immigration, consumerism and belonging. Born in Niigata, Japan, Sawayama moved to London with her family at the age of five. She later studied Politics, Psychology and Sociology at University of Cambridge, where she became involved in music, performance and modeling. During this period, she performed in various musical projects before pursuing a solo career focused on alternative pop and contemporary R&B. Sawayama began collaborating with London-based producer Hoost and independently released her debut single Sleeping in Waking in 2013. Over the following years she continued developing her artistic identity through independent releases and live performances, earning recognition from music publications including The Fader, which named her among its artists to watch. RINA (2017) Released in 2017, RINA served as Sawayama's debut EP and introduced many of the themes and sounds that would later define her career. Combining R&B, electropop, dance-pop and alternative pop, the project received widespread critical acclaim for its futuristic production and sharp commentary on modern relationships, identity and self-image. The EP featured tracks such as Ordinary Superstar, Tunnel Vision, Take Me as I Am and Cyber Stockholm Syndrome. Critics praised its innovative sound and visual presentation, helping establish Sawayama as one of the most exciting emerging artists in alternative pop. During this era, she also released the standalone singles Valentine (What's It Gonna Be) and Cherry. The latter received particular acclaim for its exploration of bisexuality and personal identity, becoming one of her breakthrough songs. In late 2018, she embarked on the Ordinary Superstar Tour across the United Kingdom and North America. SAWAYAMA (2020) Sawayama released her debut studio album, SAWAYAMA, on 17 April 2020 through Dirty Hit. Widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed pop albums of 2020, the record showcased her ability to combine seemingly disparate genres, including pop, nu metal, arena rock, R&B, dance-pop and electronic. The album was preceded by the singles STFU!, Comme des Garçons (Like the Boys) and XS. Songs such as Dynasty, Akasaka Sad, Bad Friend and Chosen Family further demonstrated her versatility as a songwriter and performer. The album received universal acclaim from critics and appeared on numerous year-end lists, with many publications praising its fearless experimentation and thematic depth. Its success established Sawayama as one of the leading voices in contemporary alternative pop. In 2021, she released Chosen Family (with Elton John), a duet version of the song featuring Elton John, who had publicly championed the album. The Dynasty Tour, originally planned for 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually took place in 2021 and 2022. Hold the Girl (2022) Released on 16 September 2022, Hold the Girl became Sawayama's second studio album. Inspired by healing, self-acceptance and childhood trauma, the record represented a more personal and emotionally direct body of work than its predecessor. The album was preceded by the singles This Hell, Catch Me in the Air, Hold the Girl, Phantom and Hurricanes. Musically, it drew from pop, country pop, dance-pop, arena rock and early-2000s mainstream pop influences. The album received positive reviews from critics and debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Sawayama's highest-charting release at the time. The accompanying Hold the Girl Tour ran throughout 2022 and 2023, including an expanded North American leg titled Hold the Girl Tour - Reloaded. Outside of her solo work, Sawayama has collaborated with numerous artists. Much of her catalogue has been co-written and produced by longtime collaborator Clarence Clarity, whose experimental production style has become a defining element of her sound. She has also worked with artists including Shamir, Bree Runway, Empress Of and Charli XCX. Her collaboration with Charli XCX, Beg for You, became Sawayama's first UK Top 40 hit. In 2023, she appeared on Kiss Me by Empress Of. Beyond music, Sawayama made her acting debut in the film franchise John Wick, appearing as Akira in John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). Her performance received positive reviews and introduced her to a wider international audience. Sawayama has frequently spoken about issues relating to Asian representation, immigration, identity, mental health and LGBTQ+ rights. Her work has earned recognition for challenging traditional genre boundaries while exploring personal and cultural experiences through a distinctly modern pop lens. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.