You know, I would have put money on Rina Sawayama walking away with the Mercury Prize this year for her iconic and compelling debut album “SAWAYAMA.” Too bad the heads of the competition couldn’t see their way to updating their stringent clauses on citizenship. Which would have seen the talent eligible and more than probably in the running for the award. The bone of contention brewed up by nationality clauses in these awards selection processes still rumbles on. And although Rina rightfully hit a nerve with her comments. She’s back with details of the deluxe edition of “SAWAYAMA” (out 4th December) by way of sharing new track “Lucid” which features on the extended-release.

The joy of “SAWAYAMA” lay with it for the most part gleefully defying pop conventions. As if Rina needed to come out with music as to show she is capable of slaying contemporary pop tropes as well. Although it wasn’t necessary to do so, I am nonetheless, glad she has unleashed her most disco-pop offering “Lucid.” It means Rina’s embracing of pop with electronic elements perfectly lines her up in pole-position for coverage on EQ Music Blog. I am so glad she has gone down this route, and I get to write about her.

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The track sounds massively different to anything else on the album namely because the production on “Lucid” is overseen by Lady Gaga’s “Chromatica” collaborator BloodPop®. Although like the album track “Toyko Love Hotel” (which I had been secretly hoping would be released as a single) Lauren Aquilina appears with a songwriting credit on both.

Releasing a statement about “LucidRina says,

“It’s about living a different life through dreaming, whether it is to be with the dream girl or to be the dream girl. Me and Lauren Aquilina wrote this together on the floor of my tiny rented living room back in early 2018. BloodPop® sent us the beat, and the melody flowed out so easily that I remember at one point I started hoovering cos I knew this would be easy to write lol. I’ve kept this song secret for two years, I’m so excited to finally release it to the world! 2020’s, been a tough year so, I wanted to finish it off with a dance bop to take us into a more hopeful 2021.”

So like many of us, Rina made use of her lockdown time and cleaned out her cupboards. Except unlike me who has only found a bag full of clothes I can no longer squeeze into. Rina’s rummage through her belongings has proved far more exciting because of discovering “Lucid,” and it being, a serve.

Connect with Rina Sawayama
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rinasawayama
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rinasawayama
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rinasonline/

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