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. GuilhermeV
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    "Sawayama" blends pop and rock perfectly. With mature lyrics and dismembering the experience of a girl who has gone through several aspects with family and friends. A great album for a beginner.
  2. arthurdepr
    Apr 21, 2020
    10
    there's not a single bad song here (even if there are, for sure, definite standouts). the production is impecable and every single track is it's own little universe; it's own story. she knocked it out of the park. AOTY contender.
  3. matthewmirliani
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    Without exaggeration, one of the greatest, most ingenious albums I think I’ve heard in years. It’s without a doubt the best debut pop album since Lady Gaga’s The Fame in 2008, with which it shares several sonic similarities. Beginning to end, the album is a breathlessly flawless achievement. So much of it embodies what made pop albums in the 2000s so engaging: the charisma and stylizationsWithout exaggeration, one of the greatest, most ingenious albums I think I’ve heard in years. It’s without a doubt the best debut pop album since Lady Gaga’s The Fame in 2008, with which it shares several sonic similarities. Beginning to end, the album is a breathlessly flawless achievement. So much of it embodies what made pop albums in the 2000s so engaging: the charisma and stylizations of Justin Timberlake; the intensity and bravado of Rihanna; the strong-theatrical-vocals-meet-ice cold-pop of Lady Gaga. The cherry on top is the incorporation of metal, 90’s R&B, 90’s bubblegum, and 80’s glam rock - a combination that results in a fantastically confident artistic statement. It’s a debut album with enormous energy and enormous personality that demands to be heard.… Expand
  4. MPB
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    An honest, exciting, sexy, funny, heart-breaking, mind-bending and incredibly catchy ride in the form of a pop album. With SAWAYAMA, Rina proves herself to be one of the most interesting pop voices in music currently and an underdog deserving of everyone's attention.
  5. AarinCLP
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    From the rock starts of Dynasty to the end of the night Club feels of Snakeskin, Rina Sawayama provides a cohesive narrative, explored through multiple genres, like snippets of the times they reflect. A grand studio debut.
  6. Mathex
    Apr 18, 2020
    10
    It's delicious to hear this album. It's powerfull and mame my mind blow! Great job
  7. Menios
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    What an amazing album! It is for sure a top contender for the best pop album of 2020!
  8. SamHPL
    Apr 18, 2020
    10
    The release date is unfortunate, because this album is amazing and could (and should) help get Rina the visibility she deserves.
  9. SoFetch
    Jun 28, 2020
    10
    Two months after I heard this masterpiece for the first time and I realized that the later you hear SAWAYAMA it keeps getting better. Such a music roller coaster, production-wise and lyrically diverse, going through self love and identity, family, friendship, feminism, capitalism, micro-aggressions, and even climate change!
  10. Boatfromthesea
    Apr 18, 2020
    10
    Excellent debut album. It features Nu-Metal rock, Pop, Electronic, and R&B. That sounds overwhelming but somehow everything works out perfectly. Fav Tracks include XS (I love how this song mocks capitalism), STFU, and Chosen Family.
  11. Evic21
    Apr 24, 2020
    10
    SAWAYAMA is an honest self-portrait of an artist brimming with ideas of how to push pop into weirder territory. Her creative choices on the album shouldn't work, but they all come together to form an album that is nostalgic yet refreshingly new. Rina's lyrics and rock star vocals anchor the whole project as a singular vision of boundless potential and creativity.
  12. Brunno
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    uma obra prima. rina sawayama sabe como fazer um pop decente e interessante, assim como fluir entre o R&B e o metal sem sair algo superficial.
  13. barthurbottino
    Jul 26, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Não existe críticas negativas possíveis sobre esse álbum. Perfeito do primeiro segundo até o último. Rina mostra a versatilidade de estilos (Xs seguida de STFU!, por exemplo) e criativa. A diversidade de temas das letras é impressionante, de críticas ao capitalismo (XS) a uma música digna do título de Hino LGBTQIA+ (Chosen Family), ela mostra que é capaz e produzir uma masterpiece. Rina chegou chutando a porta com seu álbum debut, já fico ansioso pelo próximo lançamento.… Expand
  14. Simao
    Oct 1, 2020
    10
    she did the unimaginable right here.

    i had few expectations that she’d top RINA with this album but i can say for sure it probably did. there are no skips and not only that but most songs are indescribably good.... we’re talking about a handful of going-down-on-history songs.... i don't know how she did that but rina sawayama truly is the future of pop and alt-pop music. SAWAYAMA is    she did the unimaginable right here.

    i had few expectations that she’d top RINA with this album but i can say for sure it probably did. there are no skips and not only that but most songs are indescribably good.... we’re talking about a handful of going-down-on-history songs.... i don't know how she did that but rina sawayama truly is the future of pop and alt-pop music.
    SAWAYAMA is pop perfection & nu metal excellence all in one album

    fav songs: XS, who’s gonna save u now?

    least fav: **** this world (interlude)    … Expand
  15. Panchogul
    Dec 4, 2020
    10
    Un álbum rico en ritmos los cuales son muy variados, cohesivos y una producción impecable, de lo mejor del 2020.
  16. BrenoHennrique
    Sep 8, 2020
    10
    Album do ano e quem discorda é n4z1st4!!!! Curvem-se à futura A-LIST!!!!!
  17. lUcOzAdExx
    Jul 28, 2020
    10
    I just discovered Rina a few months ago, but i really fell in love with everything that she does, her music is fantastic, so diverse and very enjoyable, it's no doubt that i really love SAWAYAMA and i'm looking forward to listen to everything that Rina puts out to the world.
  18. supremehive
    May 10, 2020
    10
    After lots of listens I still can’t get over at how great this album is as an experience, she presents herself as a versatile artist, the production of each song seem like they couldn’t be any better, I couldn’t ask for anything more. One can get completely immerse in the storylines she pulls with each song, greatly expressing her emotions and making us follow along the journey of eachAfter lots of listens I still can’t get over at how great this album is as an experience, she presents herself as a versatile artist, the production of each song seem like they couldn’t be any better, I couldn’t ask for anything more. One can get completely immerse in the storylines she pulls with each song, greatly expressing her emotions and making us follow along the journey of each track. Speechless. I don’t believe 2020 will have a better album, and this was my introduction to Rina. I’m in awe.… Expand
  19. alexve2023
    Mar 9, 2021
    10
    Brilliant album. One of the Best albums of 2020. She deserves all the best.
  20. Jaz_Grant
    May 30, 2020
    10
    Un debut en lo alto, Sawayama marca la explosión de Rina en el firmamento.
    Un álbum diverso pero siempre conciso, directo y pegadizo que nos muestra la versatilidad de la artista. Sin duda alguna uno de los mejores álbumes del 2020.
  21. Arkham318
    Nov 28, 2020
    10
    Bruh, I don't even have the words. Cvnt, the album is perfect, my personal (and honestly the objective) album of the year. I even bought the vinyl -TWICE (accidentally but still). I first heard about 'SAWAYAMA' and Rina Sawayama from Twitter, and her videos began popping up on my recommended page on Youtube. I was hesitant, as Twitter has let me down before in regards to music (andBruh, I don't even have the words. Cvnt, the album is perfect, my personal (and honestly the objective) album of the year. I even bought the vinyl -TWICE (accidentally but still). I first heard about 'SAWAYAMA' and Rina Sawayama from Twitter, and her videos began popping up on my recommended page on Youtube. I was hesitant, as Twitter has let me down before in regards to music (and everything). From the very first track 'Dynasty' I was hooked, It has to be one of the best opening tracks to an album in the history of music. And that track isn't even my favourite from the album, it is tied between 'Fvck This World' and 'STFU!!'. The album was the last straw to my own realisation that I thoroughly enjoyed Nu-Metal and Hyperpop and has led me to listen to more artists like Dorian Elektra. There are so many genres and styles within the album but it still feels cohesive through the messages of the songs, such as capitalism, queerness, guilt, alienation, acceptance etc. these relatable themes make the album almost a manifesto of sorts and elevate the album as a whole. The album is too good to not be mainstream. I've begged my friends to listen to it, I only do that for very certain albums that I think will better their lives and this is definitely an album that does. It cured my quarantine blues and I continue to listen to it every day. I cannot wait for the deluxe album to drop and also see the general public become more aware of Rina, as already seen from recognition from many news outlets, public performances on television and even mf Elton John saying it was his album of the year!!!! listen to the Icon and listen to this album.… Expand
  22. SylviaLehman
    Nov 16, 2020
    10
    Just have discovered the Sawayama album, and it brings me back the joy of life, in this 2020s ...
  23. alphabetboy98
    Apr 18, 2020
    10
    The album is absolutely amazing from start to finish. If you're expecting Cherry-esque type of bops, this album is not for you. This is more like Alterlife/10-20-40/TMAIA but taken to a whole another level. Can't believe she topped RINA. She truly outdid herself. The singles are the weakest songs on the album. Also, I highly recommend listening to the album on good quality headphones,The album is absolutely amazing from start to finish. If you're expecting Cherry-esque type of bops, this album is not for you. This is more like Alterlife/10-20-40/TMAIA but taken to a whole another level. Can't believe she topped RINA. She truly outdid herself. The singles are the weakest songs on the album. Also, I highly recommend listening to the album on good quality headphones, because the production is out of this world, and it might not translate well on a speaker during casual listening.… Expand
  24. borntodie
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    hey Queen you have done it again constantly raising the bar for us all and doing it flawlessly
  25. lookausername
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    This album is Y2K nostalgia in a bottle, yet it manages to be something completely new through Rina and Clarence breathing new life into the trends of the time period and putting all those popular genres into a blender and somehow creating a cohesive sound for the record in the process. Rina's exploration of themes unusually explored on top of these maximalist pop beats also creates aThis album is Y2K nostalgia in a bottle, yet it manages to be something completely new through Rina and Clarence breathing new life into the trends of the time period and putting all those popular genres into a blender and somehow creating a cohesive sound for the record in the process. Rina's exploration of themes unusually explored on top of these maximalist pop beats also creates a whole lot of very original pop songs.

    Whether it be the t.a.T.u. inspired pop-rock track 'Dynasty' which vocalises Rina's desire to succeed and flourish in the world and make her family proud or the synth-pop ballad 'Bad Friend' in which Rina describes a friend whom she had lost contact in recent years because she didn't make an effort to maintain the friendship, there is a song for everyone here who is a fan of Y2K era pop.    … Expand
  26. adelwinwr
    Apr 24, 2020
    10
    sawayama has everything from nu metal to r&b to pop. she uses genre-splicing to express different emotions on her album. almost every song on the album is good but DYNASTY is definitely my favorite so far
  27. VespertineQueen
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    This is just a masterpiece, really. Every song has an excellent story and the sounds aren't any repetitive. And It's very versatile. She needs to be recognized on the music industry right now!
  28. eliluc123
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    Miss sawayama made one of the best albums of 2020!
    I love this album so much!
  29. FernandoZ
    May 31, 2020
    10
    Es un álbum excelente, un aire nuevo y refrescante mezcla armoniosamente sonidos, temas emociones y los canaliza en una joya pop
  30. VGabrielLM
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    The BEST album of 2020. Rina Sawayama is a genius! The criticism of the lyrics, the production, it's all amazing! XS, Comme des Garçons and Bad Friend are the highlights of the album. The multiple parts of an personality is between the lines. It's a travel with Rina through his brilliant mind.
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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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