Rina Sawayama pokes fun at capitalist ignorance on '00s-inspired pop cut 'XS'

The track highlights the impact of rampant consumerism on the environment and "reminds you of time when everything was alright"

Rina Sawayama has shared the new song ‘XS’ from her upcoming debut album ‘Sawayama’, due for release on April 17 via Dirty Hit.

The pop singer is unafraid of tackling important issues head on through her music, having previously confronted racist East Asian stereotypes in the video for ‘Stfu!’, a track which also features on the forthcoming record.

Latest release ‘XS’ continues to hold up a mirror to society’s problems, this time confronting the issue of a materialistic world facing up to increasing threat of global warming.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Rina said: “‘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.”

Produced by Kyle Shearer, Clarence Clarity and Rina, the track pits growling guitar riffs up against the singer’s smooth vocals, making for an infectious sound that borrows from the early 2000s – and as Rina puts it, “reminds you of a time when everything was alright”.

Stream ‘XS’: