Rina Sawayama, “This Hell” | Track Review

Japanese-British musician Rina Sawayama comes back strong with “This Hell”, the promo single from her 2022 sophomore album, Hold the Girl.

“T

his hell is better with you / We’re burning up together / Baby, that makes two.” That’s literally hot as HELL! My girl Rina Sawayama came back strong in 2022 with “This Hell”, the promo single from her sophomore album, Hold the Girl (September 2, 2022). The Japanese-British musician impressed on her 2020 debut album, SAWAYAMA, an album more folks needed to hear. Despite the fact that things are utterly hellish and she’s damned to the fiery pit, the ear candy and musical excellence served up on “This Hell” is anything but hellish!

“This Hell” commences with energetic production ( Paul Epworth and Clarence Clarity) in the form of a compelling groove and a lit melodic guitar line.  After the introduction, when Rina Sawayama begins singing, the sound of the record changes, revealing a couple of unexpected tricks Sawayama and company had up their sleeves. So much for predictability, right? The verses have a different harmonic scheme compared to the pre-chorus as well as the chorus, which the instrumental intro highlights.  In the verses, Sawayama keeps things real. “Saw a poster on the corner opposite the motel,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “Turns out I’m going to hell if I keep on being myself.” Yep, that’s what so many of us are fed.  She’s like, screw it, “God hates us? Alright then / Buckle up, at dawn, we’re riding.” Similarly, in the second verse, she’s flipping birds, criticizes the paparazzi for how they’ve destroyed countless female celebs, and shows incredible resolve when she asserts, “That Satan’s looking thirsty, not even he can hurt me.” Even though she’s got her “Invitation to eternal damnation,” Sawayama responds by saying, “Get in line, pass the wine, bitch.”

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Final Thoughts

Rina Sawayama is a total badass – period.  Rather than get angry about the hell in front of her, she doubles down and embraces it.  She has a point – at least she’ll have others joining her to the depths of the fiery pit! “This Hell” is a fine preface to Hold the Girl.  Great vocals, compelling, relatable theme – especially for the ladies – and colorful, compelling production.  Bravo, Rina!

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Rina Sawayama • Hold the Girl • Dirty Hit • 9.2.22

[: Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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