Rina Sawayama, XS | Bangerz N Bopz

In the 33^rd edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2026), we highlight “XS” performed by Japanese British singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama.  

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and/or stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 33^rd edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2026), we break down “XS” performed by Rina Sawayama.

True, Rina Sawayama. No lies detected! The pansexual Japanese British singer-songwriter delivers the goods on “XS”, the second track from her 2020 album, SAWAYAMA. Sawayama composed “XS” with Kyle Shearer, Nate Campany, and Chris Lyon. Sawayama, Shearer, Lyon, Valley Girl, and Clarence Clarity produced it. 

Like most of SAWAYAMA, the production and sound are electrifying. There are orchestral cues (strings and timpani), aggressively strummed and distorted, jagged guitars, and a mean percussive groove. Rina Sawayama rides the backdrop like a champ. Finishing off the first verse of “XS,” she asserts, “So, I’ll take that one, that one, yeah, that one too / Luxury and opulence.” Get it… eXcesS! The pre-chorus continues the excess, while the chorus confirms the desire for more and more material things.

“Gimme just a little bit (More), little bit of (Excess)

Oh me, oh my

I don’t wanna hear (No, no), only want a (Yes, yes)

Oh me, oh my…”

In the second verse, Rina goes deeper, discussing the costs of excess.  “Flex when all that’s left is immaterial,” she sings, and adds, “And the price we paid is unbelievable.” Later, on the bridge, she highlights human disregard for the earth in favor of shallow materialism and less important things: “Oh me, oh my, where did it go awry? / When all this time, heaven was in our eyes / So, say goodnight, forget about it ‘til the end of time.” Not only is “XS” enjoyable, but it also delivers a warning about human disregard for the earth and focusing far too much on materialism instead of more important and meaningful things.

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Rina Sawayama » SAWAYAMA » Dirty Hit » 2020

Rina Sawayama, XS: Bangerz N Bopz No. 33 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Dirty Hit; Art Laurence Luzon, cottonbro studio, Osmar Vasques, Sebastian Ervi, Wallyson Nascimento from Pexels; Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

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