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"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 over a pop, R&B, avant-pop and electropop backing. A remix featuring British artist 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 Calabasas 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] avant-pop[5] and electropop[6] song with "upbeat bubblegum pop vibes"[7] composed in the key of D minor with a tempo of 117 beats per minute.[8] It begins with an "eerie" buildup of violins,[9] 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 was released.[10] It currently has over 8 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!".[11]

In the video, Sawayama portrays a "QVC-like" "robotic" saleswoman[12] who attends a shopping channel broadcast to promote a beverage named "RINA Water", which consists 99% of 24-karat gold and 1% of plasma.[13][14] Later it is revealed that the liquid is extracted from a creature which is chained in an underground factory.[11]

Live performance

On 26 October 2020, Sawayama gave her first televised performance ever on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she performed "XS".[15]

Track listing

  1. "XS" – 3:21
  • Digital download/streaming – Bree Runway Remix[18][19]
  1. "XS" (Bree Runway Remix) – 3:22

Reception

Critical response

"XS" was well-received. While reviewing Sawayama's second album Hold the Girl, Cat Zhang of Pitchfork named "XS" her debut album's best song, commenting that "[the song] was intended as arch anti-capitalist critique in an age of climate crisis, but its luxe vision was a better sell for being the rich, not eating them; Sawayama whispered "excess" as if it were the name of a designer perfume, the scent of “more” intoxicating."[20]

Accolades

Critics' rankings for "XS"
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Billboard The 20 Best LGBTQ Songs of 2020 —
[21]
The 30 Best Pop Songs of 2020: Staff Picks —
[22]
Dazed The 20 best tracks of 2020
4
[23]
DIY DIY's Tracks of 2020
8
[24]
The Guardian The 20 Best Songs of 2020
10
[25]
The Line of Best Fit The Best Songs of 2020 Ranked
3
[26]
NME The 50 best songs of 2020
7
[27]
Our Culture Mag The 25 Best Songs of 2020
18
[28]
Slate The Best Albums of 2020 Plus Best Songs —
[29]

References

  1. ^ Hussey, Alison (2 March 2020). "Listen to Rina Sawayama's New Song "XS"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  2. ^ Damshenas, Sam (2 March 2020). "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. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. 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. ^ Droke, Carolyn (29 June 2020). "Rina Sawayama Celebrates Pride With A Cover Of Lady Gaga's 'Dance In The Dark'". UPROXX. Retrieved 15 August 2020. Throughout her record, Sawayama honed her bold electro-pop sound through opulent hits like "XS"...
  7. ^ Ingvaldsen, Torsten (3 March 2020). "Rina Sawayama Lambastes Consumerism on New Single "XS"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Key & BPM for XS by Rina Sawayama". Tunebat. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  9. ^ Myers, Sophia (5 March 2020). "Track review: Rina Sawayama drops new single "XS"". EUPHORIA. Magazine. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  10. ^ Rina Sawayama (17 April 2020). "Rina Sawayama - XS (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Rina Sawayama shares tongue-in-cheek 'XS' video". DIY. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  12. ^ Megarry, Daniel (17 April 2020). "Rina Sawayama takes on capitalism in style with her XS music video". GAYTIMES. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  13. ^ Richards, Will (18 April 2020). "Tune into the shopping channel in Rina Sawayama's new 'XS' video". NME. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  14. ^ Kaye, Ben (17 April 2020). "Rina Sawayama Hawks 24k Gold Beverage in "XS" Video: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  15. ^ Minsker, Evan (2 March 2020). "Watch Rina Sawayama Perform "XS" on Fallon". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  16. ^ "Rina Sawayama: XS - Music on Google Play". Google Play. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  17. ^ "XS by Rina Sawayama on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  18. ^ "XS (Bree Runway Remix) [feat. Bree Runway] – Single by Rina Sawayama on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  19. ^ "XS (feat. Bree Runway Remix) by Rina Sawayama, Bree Runway on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  20. ^ Zhang, Cat. "Rina Sawayama: Hold the Girl Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  21. ^ Billboard Staff (10 December 2020). "The 25 Best LGBTQ Songs of 2020: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  22. ^ Billboard Staff (11 December 2020). "The 30 Best Pop Songs of 2020: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  23. ^ "The 20 best tracks of 2020". Dazed. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  24. ^ "DIY's Tracks of 2020". DIY. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  25. ^ "The Best Albums of 2020 Plus Best Songs". Slate. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  26. ^ "The Best Songs of 2020 Ranked". The Line of Best Fit. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  27. ^ "The 50 best songs of 2020". NME. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  28. ^ "The 25 Best Songs of 2020". Our Culture Mag. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  29. ^ "The Best Albums of 2020 Plus Best Songs". Slate. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
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