Sawayama
by Rina Sawayama
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 1138 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,056 out of 1138
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 1138
  3. Negative: 57 out of 1138
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  1. rinasawayamas
    Apr 23, 2020
    10
    amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing
  2. Indiebicth
    Apr 29, 2020
    8
    At its best, Sawayama redefines pop tropes on tracks like akasaka sad and the album’s best, most complex track, snakeskin.However at it’s worst it can fall into these pop tropes on tracks like XS.
    Dynasty 9/10
    XS 6/10 STFU 8/10 Comme Des Garçons 6.5/10 Akasaka Sad 9.5/10 Paradisin 6.5/10 Love me 4 me 7/10 Bad friend 8.5/10 **** this world 6/10 Who’s gonna save you now? 9/10 Tokyo Love    At its best, Sawayama redefines pop tropes on tracks like akasaka sad and the album’s best, most complex track, snakeskin.However at it’s worst it can fall into these pop tropes on tracks like XS.
    Dynasty 9/10
    XS 6/10
    STFU 8/10
    Comme Des Garçons 6.5/10
    Akasaka Sad 9.5/10
    Paradisin 6.5/10
    Love me 4 me 7/10
    Bad friend 8.5/10
    **** this world 6/10
    Who’s gonna save you now? 9/10
    Tokyo Love hotel 7.5/10
    Chosen family 7.5/10
    Snakeskin 10/10    … Expand
  3. Morelols
    Jun 13, 2020
    10
    She just taught the pop girls nowadays that this is how you do an album that we've been missing for a while. I know that this will not win AOTY in grammys because we know that grammy is a scam LOL btw we are just blessed this quarantine.
  4. Ecstasydragon
    Apr 30, 2020
    9
    Really love this album. It gives me Night Time, My Time vibes. It’s really so well produced and XS and Comme Des Garçon are amazing
  5. heatofvenus
    Jun 20, 2021
    10
    Not a single skip, this is the best pop album of the 2020... it has tons of 2000's influences, destiny's child, evanescence but updated and extremely polished feels very fresh and it'll probable stay this way for a few decades. Lot of personality and detail.
  6. Yohanan
    May 6, 2020
    10
    Um álbum Pop/Rock com muita qualidade, sons destorcidos do modo agradável aos ouvidos, os instrumentais, o vocal de Rina, os acordes, os tons, a harmonia num todo.. Parabéns Rina, álbum excepcional. Diria até que é um dos melhores álbuns de 2020.
  7. Dustinblake5901
    May 6, 2020
    10
    Best Album of The Year/Decade!! Sawayama is a journey that keeps you on the edge of your seat! Using metal influences to show anger, Sawayama will make you laugh, cry, and dance!
  8. Galactawhore
    May 9, 2020
    10
    Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely never been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, **** on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it. Album of the f*****g year.
  9. Lbstev
    May 15, 2020
    10
    Its sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo **** good love it
  10. PedroBuenoM
    May 17, 2020
    10
    A totally cohesive and well-crafted work, vocal excellence and production excellence, mixture of ROCK, POP + styles from the 80s & 90s Totally Perfect. Album of the Year SO FAR
  11. Masterlime
    May 18, 2020
    8
    This album is pretty divisive for me. The good songs are great but there are some songs that just dont hit at all in my opinion. I just wish this was a full length album made out of songs like 'XS, 'STFU' and the needed emotional cuts like 'Akasaka Sad'. To my disappointment there are some songs that just dont emphasize her capabilities. Nearly half of the songs here could have been cutThis album is pretty divisive for me. The good songs are great but there are some songs that just dont hit at all in my opinion. I just wish this was a full length album made out of songs like 'XS, 'STFU' and the needed emotional cuts like 'Akasaka Sad'. To my disappointment there are some songs that just dont emphasize her capabilities. Nearly half of the songs here could have been cut and replaced in my opinion.

    She is a pop queen even though this is her debut album but she has to get better in choosing the gems that go into her crown.

    7.5/10    … Expand
  12. CristopherGN7
    Jan 26, 2021
    10
    Pop perfection, totally a masterpiece, it is one of my favorite albums ever. Love it.
  13. isntalice
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Every song is a new journey on its own. It's a masterpiece from a true unique artist.
  14. AlexisCeh
    Jul 6, 2020
    9
    Qué buen álbum ! Fresco y diferente al resto de lo qué hay en el mercado actualmente.
  15. voxluxangels
    May 30, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Sawayama is a great full-lenght debut album for Rina. It's refreshing, bold, rebel and vocally stunning in some tracks.… Expand
  16. sdrain
    Nov 20, 2020
    10
    There's nothing bad about this album. With every song sounding so different yet so cohesive, it's one of the best debuts from any artist. Ever.
  17. Joexg
    May 31, 2020
    10
    Track for track, one of the best albums I’ve heard. Where else can I hear references as varied as Beyoncé’s “I Care”, to Evanesence, to Slipknot, to Carly Rae Jepsen, to Final Fantasy? She even uses what I believe is the sound a Mac makes when you click outside of a required dialog box without interacting with it (2:01 into Akasaka Sad).
    That’s not even to touch on the emotions evoked by    Track for track, one of the best albums I’ve heard. Where else can I hear references as varied as Beyoncé’s “I Care”, to Evanesence, to Slipknot, to Carly Rae Jepsen, to Final Fantasy? She even uses what I believe is the sound a Mac makes when you click outside of a required dialog box without interacting with it (2:01 into Akasaka Sad).
    That’s not even to touch on the emotions evoked by the lyrics here. There’s a feeling here I’ve only ever felt from queer musicians: a feeling that they know my pain, like I’m being hugged and told that it’s all okay. Its the sort of feeling I get from the likes of Christine and the Queens, St. Vincent, Perfume Genius, Clairo, and King Princess, among others. Rina gets it. That’s not really a tangible quality, I know, but it’s there.    … Expand
  18. ryckblue
    Nov 27, 2020
    10
    nova promessa do pop, entregou tudo de bom com um álbum super versátil e completo. lenda viva
  19. Rafael1510
    Aug 27, 2020
    10
    Nossa, esse álbum tem letras poderosas, uma produção impecável e a Rina tem uma alcance vocal maravilhoso, eu estou muito feliz em ver uma artista recente, com um grande potencial, buscando "reviver" aquele estilo mais pop-rock que foi com o tempo, infelizmente, ficando esquecido. Me lembra um pouco o Born This Way em uma versão mais atualizada. Recomendo!!
  20. l_l-Mist-l_l
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    AOTY!!! This album is so amazing, every track has something to offer without keeping you bored. The whole album is zero skips. From the First song to the last, I enjoyed it. Y’all should also check out Cherry and Alterlife by Rina Sawayama.
  21. gracerosew
    Jun 22, 2020
    9
    This is one of the most narratively and musically cohesive works of the last decade. Sawayama's vocals, the dynamic production and the coherent mixture of genre throughout, solidify her as one to watch. An exceptional debut album.
  22. nwcolle
    Jul 2, 2020
    10
    I was really anxious about Rina’s debut album but this really surprised me. It’s amazing and one of the bests 2020 albums loved sm and hoping that everybody who listen to this love too anyway I love everything about this album since lyrics to the melodys and of course the concept itself. Thank you Rina Sawayama for all the serving.
  23. amandten
    Jul 4, 2020
    10
    i loved it YESSSSSSSS!!! queen it’s i incredible
  24. swkaspr
    Jul 10, 2020
    10
    wow. most underrated artist of the year. sawayama is a masterpiece. i’m so glad i listened to it. honestly i must say at first when everyone was raving about it i ignored for some reason. because when i saw the name tracks they didn’t look exciting, but one day i gave it a try, AND I SLAPPED MYSLEF FOR WAITING . BY THE TIME I GOT AKASAKA SAD I WAS ON THE FLOOR. but.. TOKYO LOVE HOTEL ISwow. most underrated artist of the year. sawayama is a masterpiece. i’m so glad i listened to it. honestly i must say at first when everyone was raving about it i ignored for some reason. because when i saw the name tracks they didn’t look exciting, but one day i gave it a try, AND I SLAPPED MYSLEF FOR WAITING . BY THE TIME I GOT AKASAKA SAD I WAS ON THE FLOOR. but.. TOKYO LOVE HOTEL IS THE BEST TRACK. IM NOT BEING DRAMATIC I CRIED. the chorus was so heart felt and beautiful. i thought i was in paris for a second. beautiful #1 album of 2020. disagree i dare you. rina you are an amazing artist. after this album i am a pixel. ❤️… Expand
  25. Cnsydm
    Jul 11, 2020
    10
    No track is the same it's simply amazing. Maybe APTY. I'll definently keep an eye out for miss rina
  26. f4guette
    Jul 11, 2020
    10
    Fantastic production choices. I love the topics and themes she explores and her vocals are mature and developed. Chromatica honestly wishes...
  27. jademorais
    Jul 16, 2020
    9
    How lyrically deep the album is she discussed self love, friendship, family, self identity, culture, climate change, capitalism, and micro aggressions all in one album
  28. Rainbowmusic
    Jul 16, 2020
    10
    Full of 90's and 00's vibes and excellent production, voice of Rina just confirms she's one of the next pop stars
  29. adamdavids
    Jul 17, 2020
    8
    SAWAYAMA is a powerful pop album, combining elements from metal, rock, and disco to create an incredible debut. The orchestral opener Dynasty is loud and hypnotic, with lyrics discussing her family and her background over a heavy guitar - which are prevalent themes throughout the album. The next song XS very catchy, and is about capitalism and the culture of always wanting/needing moreSAWAYAMA is a powerful pop album, combining elements from metal, rock, and disco to create an incredible debut. The orchestral opener Dynasty is loud and hypnotic, with lyrics discussing her family and her background over a heavy guitar - which are prevalent themes throughout the album. The next song XS very catchy, and is about capitalism and the culture of always wanting/needing more (lyrically similar to 7 rings). STFU however grates on me a bit with the childish 'shut the **** up' refrain in the chorus being a bit cringe. But the album picks itself up with the disco inspired Comme Des Garcons which is a self-confidence bop. Akasaka Sad again deals with her childhood in Japan and her experiencing the same pains as her parents. Paradisin' is alright, it sounds more like an interlude than a proper song in the context of the album, as it lacks any buildup and remains quite loud and busy throughout. Thankfully Love Me For Me is an absolute tune that I wanna sing along to at the top of my lungs. The production on Bad Friend is amazing and the song itself is self-reflective and personal. **** This World (Interlude) is forgettable imo and could have been replaced with a better song. Who's Gonna Save U Now? is an arena rock song that hits different if you're in the mood for some solid guitar. Tokyo Love Hotel and Chosen Family are just good ass songs, and the lyrics on Chosen Family are so beautiful that it could have been the album closer. But, the album ends on Snakeskin which is probably the most experimental song here, and imo is an alright closer but not as powerful an end as I'd have liked. Overall, a great album.… Expand
  30. ClaudiaE1
    Jul 19, 2020
    10
    One of the best pop albums released this year, deserves Album of the Year! The album was very cohesive and the tracks were unforgettable. Rina has basically revived the pop sound with this debut album with her amazing lyricism.
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Album of 2020
20
#20 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. AllMusic
    May 19, 2020
    80
    On this stunning debut, Sawayama captures Dua Lipa's future nostalgia and Poppy's metal-meets-pop savvy, rightfully making it her own with more depth, bigger thrills, and a limitless palette.
    Read full review
  2. Consequence
    May 4, 2020
    91
    SAWAYAMA appears poised to be one of the best pop albums of the year and sets Sawayama up as a pop force to be reckoned with.
    Read full review
  3. Under The Radar
    Apr 30, 2020
    75
    The album is a complicated picture of Swayama’s past, present, and future. It is rare to see a debut album with such a fully realized voice and vision behind it. What’s more, she exorcises her personal demons amid some of the year’s best dancefloor-filling pop.
    Read full review
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