Review Summary: 4/17/2020 - Finally introducing... Sawayama
If Rina's self-titled-first-name debut is to be understood as the whimsy and pitfalls of being an individual born with, raised by, and operating within the internet as a "cyber popstar" then SAWAYAMA exists as the response to the ideas presented by the sister release’s material. This record definitely feels more direct and personal in the way it frames its topics and themes. RINA, on the other hand, relies on inferences and assumptions about the kind of person Rina Sawayama is or at least chooses to present as through the internet, and ultimately those inferences exist at the mercy of artistic construction.
Sure, there remains the fact that this record also exists in a controlled environment where the artist picks and chooses what is and is not shared with the world, but what does exist here doesn't carry with it the theatrics of the larger than life "ordinary superstar" of the internet age. Here we grapple with themes of racism, struggles with cultural identity, long onset depression, first loves and familial issues - the real world realities that the internet can erase. It becomes the set piece for what is an interesting, non-cohesive yet tightly-knit and personal piece.
It's structured and built like a late 90s/early 2000s pop record, but it isn't an ordinary aesthetic paste job. What I find to be incredibly interesting with this record is that its role as a reviver of "Y2K" sounds, aesthetics, and iconography doesn't begin and end strictly within the realm of aesthetics. Note has been taken of the mechanical space an album of this era occupies and the meta that surrounds it.
The influences here are far and wide and a large variety of styles, artists, and aesthetics could be cited as the jumping point of inspiration for this record. Anywhere from the new jack swing hits of summer's past to Britney Spears to nu metal and further ahead into modern times. I see this album as though I am being offered a collection of photographs. Memories and the psyche framed by the music of the previous eras that were the most influential and impactful for Rina as a person. It takes you along a vast variety of moods and tone but it all is clearly understood to be the music that makes up Rina Sawayama the person.
It's committing to music what has been exclusively playlists or write ups on websites about what albums have impacted us the most before. It's taking the next bold step in the conversation on the impact music gives us by creating a compelling point of reference built by the past and made for the future. I think that is an incredibly interesting and bold approach to dated album formats and structures. It makes me understand Rina on a deeper level through the hard hitting metal tracks all the way to the cheesy country-inspired ballad. This album is Rina Sawayama and someday I hope to see how this album becomes pivotal to our understanding of artists in the future.
