Rina Sawayama songs span two studio albums, one EP, and a range of collaborations that showcase her genre-blending approach to pop music. The Japanese-British singer-songwriter released her debut album SAWAYAMA in 2020 and followed it with Hold the Girl in 2022, building a catalog that mixes pop, rock, R&B, and electronic influences with personal and political themes.
Her debut album SAWAYAMA arrived on April 17, 2020, via Dirty Hit . The thirteen-track record opens with “Dynasty” and includes singles like “XS,” “STFU!,” and “Comme des Garçons (Like The Boys)” . “Chosen Family” became one of the album’s most enduring songs, later reimagined as a duet with Elton John in 2021 . The album explores identity, family, gender, and sexuality against a backdrop of future-facing pop production .
Her second studio album Hold the Girl was released on September 16, 2022, also through Dirty Hit . The thirteen-track album features “This Hell,” “Catch Me in the Air,” and the title track “Hold the Girl” . Where SAWAYAMA leaned into electronic and pop maximalism, Hold the Girl incorporated country and rock influences alongside introspective storytelling . Songs like “Frankenstein” and “Phantom” address themes of self-acceptance and healing.
Before her debut album, Sawayama released the eight-track mini-album RINA in 2017 . This project introduced her early sound through tracks like “Ordinary Superstar,” “Alterlife,” and “Cyber Stockholm Syndrome” . The EP featured a collaboration with Shamir on “Tunnel Vision” . RINA was later re-pressed on vinyl in 2023, bringing the long out-of-print project back to physical format .
Sawayama has released numerous standalone singles outside her main albums. “Sleeping in Waking” arrived in 2013 as an early release, followed by “Where U Are” and “This Time Last Year” in 2016. “Cherry” and “Flicker” came in 2018 . These songs capture her evolution before the debut album and remain part of her live repertoire.
Her collaborative work spans multiple genres and artists. “Beg for You” with Charli XCX was released in 2022, accompanied by remixes featuring A. G. Cook and VERNON of SEVENTEEN . That same year, she teamed with Brazilian artist Pabllo Vittar on “Follow Me” . In 2023, she collaborated with Empress Of on “Kiss Me” . She also contributed a remix of LE SSERAFIM‘s “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s wife” in 2023 and appeared on “I’m Free” with Paris Hilton in 2024 . A remix of Lady Gaga‘s “Free Woman” featuring Sawayama and Clarence Clarity also exists in her catalog .
Her 2023 contribution to the John Wick: Chapter 4 soundtrack, “Eye for an Eye,” marked a significant moment in her career . The song was co-written and produced by Tyler Bates, who composed the scores for all four John Wick films . Sawayama also made her acting debut in the film, playing Shimazu Akira . The track features industrial and synth-driven production with lyrics centered on revenge .
Looking ahead, Sawayama has been working on her third studio album, which she has described as her darkest and most emotionally charged project yet . In interviews, she revealed writing around 50 songs during the process, with 80% of the album potentially suitable as singles . She took a step back from music in 2024 to address burnout and relocated to Tokyo during that period . The upcoming record follows her acclaimed Hold the Girl and promises a more fearless exploration of negative emotions through sound . She is also set to reprise her John Wick role in the spinoff “Caine” and appears in Apple TV’s “Prodigies” alongside Ayo Edebiri and Will Sharpe .
For listeners new to her work, SAWAYAMA offers the most comprehensive introduction to her signature sound, while Hold the Girl showcases her growth as a songwriter. The RINA EP provides context for her early artistic identity, and her collaborations demonstrate her range across pop, electronic, and alternative styles.
What was Rina Sawayama’s debut single?
Her debut single was “Sleeping in Waking,” released in 2013 . It preceded her 2017 EP RINA and her debut album SAWAYAMA by several years.
How many studio albums has Rina Sawayama released?
She has released two studio albums: SAWAYAMA in 2020 and Hold the Girl in 2022 . Both were released through the independent label Dirty Hit.
Did Rina Sawayama contribute to any film soundtracks?
Yes. She recorded “Eye for an Eye” for the John Wick: Chapter 4 soundtrack in 2023 . She also appeared in the film as the character Shimazu Akira and will reprise that role in the spinoff Caine .
What collaborations has Rina Sawayama released?
Her collaborations include “Beg for You” with Charli XCX, “Follow Me” with Pabllo Vittar, “Kiss Me” with Empress Of, and “Chosen Family” with Elton John . She also remixed LE SSERAFIM‘s “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s wife” in 2023 .
Is Rina Sawayama working on new music?
Yes. She has been recording her third studio album, which she described as her most intentional work, created after taking a break to address burnout . In interviews, she noted the record explores darker and more industrial sounds .
