LISA, SaWaDiKa | Song Review

Thai rapper/singer LISA brings the heat on the ultra-fun, pop banger, “SaWaDiKa,” the fierce opener from her EP, PRESS PLAY.

LISA (Lalisa Manobal) gets right down to business on her single, “SaWaDiKa.” What does SaWaDiKa mean? It is a Thai greeting for hello or hi. LISA, Thom Bridges, Mark Williams, Raul Cubina, Rachel West, and Danny Chung wrote “SaWaDiKa.” Bridges and Ojivolta (Williams and Cubina) produced it.

“SaWaDiKa” is aggressive from the onset. This includes aggressive synths and aggressive vocals by LISA. She brings mad attitude, particularly on the rhythmic, in-your-face chorus.  The sickening beat, upping the ante, delivers a punch. LISA not only brings attitude, but also a compelling cadence and flow – she ‘kicks ass and takes names.’ “Who let this bitch out of the cage? / Move that (Hey), get out of the way,” she spits in the first verse, and continues, “Murder, killed that, I’m on the case / Hands up (Hey), now lock me away.” In the second, she concludes, “Yes, I’m a trouble fanatic (Yeah) / Live for the shock like I’m anaphylactic / Is it too much? Am I overdramatic? (Yeah) / Sick, I’m too sick, better call me a medic.” There is great contrast during the pre-chorus where it’s kinder, gentler, mellower, and more chill: “Catch me in my feelings, up in the sky / Baby, there’s no ceiling in my mind (Ah).” “SaWaDiKa” goes H.A.M. during the outro (“Hello, Sawadika / Hello, Sawadika there she go”). All told, “SaWaDiKa” is another ultra-fun, pop banger from the talented LISA.  HELLO, indeed!

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LISA → PRESS PLAY (EP)→ RCA Records → 10.23.26 [📷: RCA Records]

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