Rina Sawayama has released a new track titled “Phantom.” The new arrival marks the fourth song shared from the Japanese-British musician’s forthcoming album, Hold the Girl.
The emotional track reflects on her life and previous actions of trying to appease others. In the newfound clarity, the artist recognizes the strength in loving herself and putting her own desires at the forefront. “If I could talk to you/I’d tell you not to rush, you’re good enough/You don’t have to lose/What makes you you, still got some growing to do,” sings Sawayama on the track. Similar in emotional poignancy to her previous release, “Catch Me In The Air,” it appears that Hold the Girl is gearing up to be the artist’s most sentimental and empowering project to date.
“I realized as an adult that I have spent my whole life pleasing other people and not realizing it — constantly pushing my boundaries and not realizing the difference between what I wanted to do and what other people wanted from me,” said Sawayama in a release. “Through the lyrics in the verse I’m trying to tell this story and then in the choruses I’m morning the loss of my real self.”
Alongside the song’s release is a visualizer that shows the artist paired down in a white tank top and a camel-colored vest singing the ballad against a simple backdrop.
Take a listen to Sawayama’s latest track above. Hold the Girl is set to release on Friday, September 16.
In related news, London’s Notting Hill Carnival is back for the first time since 2019.
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