Hold the Girl
by Rina Sawayama
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
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  1. PopMatters
    Sep 16, 2022
    60
    Sawayama’s vocal performances are mechanically flawless, a testament to her talent, though they fail to evoke the sublime responses that Sawayama can evoke. Overall, the sequence suffers from a lack of risk and is self-consciously conservative in terms of its execution—a bewildering anticlimax.

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best Album of 2022
20
#20 Most Discussed Album of 2022

User Reviews

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User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 229 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 201 out of 229
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 229
  3. Negative: 17 out of 229
  1. Tyrion123
    Sep 16, 2022
    10
    Best pop release of 2022 so far. Incredible melodies, vocals and production. Stunning body of work.
  2. Sliverlysounds
    Sep 16, 2022
    10
    Just hold the **** girl. That’s all!
  3. aanguille
    Sep 16, 2022
    10
    Rina Sawayama is the pop star 2022 needs, but one must wonder whether we deserve her. As so many have already noted, Rina is quite possiblyRina Sawayama is the pop star 2022 needs, but one must wonder whether we deserve her. As so many have already noted, Rina is quite possibly the only artist to debut in the last decade with the charisma, show(wo)manship, and unrelenting dedication to her art to justify comparisons to Lady Gaga. Where her debut, Sawayama, was experimental and wrought with fiery angst, her sophomore release, Hold the Girl, presents a new Rina - introspective, fragile, yet endlessly headstrong about who she was, is, and plans to be. Each track is meticulously crafted for maximum emotional impact - ranging from the subtle nuance of “Minor Feelings” to the fractured electronica of “Frankenstein.” Prepare for a journey through the psyche of pop’s rightful next megastar.… Full Review »
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