The debut SAWAYAMA album from Japanese-British singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama was one of 2020s brightest and invigorating music moments.
By blurring genre boundaries and with emotive vocal performances at the forefront, Sawayama produced a one-of-a-kind introduction to her creative abilities and personal tribulations.
The artist embraced female empowerment on "Comme des Garçons (Like the Boys)", mocked capitalism on "XS", acknowledged tattered friendships on "Bad Friend" and dedicated "Chosen Family" to her LGBTQ+ friends.
The latter effort now gets another chance at proper notoriety thanks to a blossoming friendship between Sawayama and legendary pianist Sir Elton John. The "Chosen Family (Remix)" dives even further into power ballad territory as both artists trade verses of creating their own family, whether genes or surnames are shared between members.
John's delicate and remarkable piano keys elevate Sawayama's vocals even further, solidify a connection with listeners who might be as lost, damaged, or experiencing the same pain as she. She proves she can relate, even if they are not related.
"Hand me a pen and I'll rewrite the pain, when you're ready, we'll turn the page together, open a bottle, it's time we celebrate, who you were, who you are, we're one and the same," John belts on the second verse this time around.
While the collaboration might seem left-field to most, more context can help dissolve confusion. John championed and praised Sawayama's debut album upon release. She was in turn giddy with appreciation, acknowledging how impactful John's words of encouragement truly were. The two became virtual friends before meeting in December to record.
"Chosen Family (Remix)" touches on a sensitive topic of LGBTQ+ individuals being too often ostracized and abandoned by their biological families upon coming out. Thankfully, artists such as Sawayama and John see and lift them up. As RuPaul says, we as gay people get to choose our own families.
Damn right!
0 Yorumlar