Hold the Girl
by Rina Sawayama
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
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  1. petrichor1975
    Apr 5, 2023
    6
    The newest album from singer Rina Sawayama is an adventurous and fun one. It does not have the same energy and excitement as 2020's "SAWAYAMA", but it is still a worthy album to check out. I don't really have a favorite song on here, but Rina's vocals are sounding great and the production is nice too.
  2. wojtekk
    Mar 15, 2023
    10
    This album is such an amazing journey for listeners. Tracks' super productions and Rina's amazing vocals take us on a 46 minute long adventure of exploring artist's stories. Lyrics are beautiful and very true! I feel like everything about this album is and sounds just how it should!
  3. Albicolli
    Mar 14, 2023
    10
    Mommy mommy
    Mommy mommy
    Mommy mommy
    Mommy mommy
    Mommy mommy
    Mommy mommy
    Mommy mommy
  4. rvstree
    Mar 2, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. An album that takes you on a journey of all the emotions. Upbeat music with relatable lyrics.… Expand
  5. Sross1239
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    With SAWAYAMA being such a masterpiece, Rina Sawayama had a tough act to follow. But on Hold The Girl she delivers. With fantastic production and genere bending tracks, Sawayama showcases what can only be described as absolute talent. Throughout the album, Sawayama showcases her vocal versatility, as well as her personal growth and trauma story so beautifully told through music.
  6. LISOCHIKOTOSA
    Dec 14, 2022
    8
    While I did not enjoy it as much as I enjoyed her debut it is still a good album. This Hell slaps and songs like Your Age, Imagining and Catch me in the Air are memorable
  7. CTRLTZA
    Dec 10, 2022
    6
    Great vocal album that is overshadowed by the loud and overproduced production, like I could hear the production more than I could hear her powerfully strong vocals. Felt like she cared more about the charts than actually producing a well made album like SAWAYAMA was but more power to her!
  8. yurhmyre
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    To say that "Hold The Girl" is a stunning piece of work is an understatement. "Hold The Girl" is a massive improvement from Rina's debut album "SAWAYAMA", not only in terms of sonority, but also in terms of her unqiue voice, and even her songwriting. The album is also definitely one of her most explorative works, with upbeat and catchy songs like "Frankenstein" and "Imagining", yetTo say that "Hold The Girl" is a stunning piece of work is an understatement. "Hold The Girl" is a massive improvement from Rina's debut album "SAWAYAMA", not only in terms of sonority, but also in terms of her unqiue voice, and even her songwriting. The album is also definitely one of her most explorative works, with upbeat and catchy songs like "Frankenstein" and "Imagining", yet containing some kind of sorority with tracks like "Send My Love To John" and "Phantom". Overall, "Hold The Girl" is one of Rina's most cohesive work, and I am excited to see what else Rina will bring to the table in the future.… Expand
  9. PEDROMFR
    Nov 27, 2022
    10
    Hold The Girl is an alternative pop masterpiece. With perfect vocal performance, truth in the lyrics and A LOT of ambition production wise, it's easily the best album of 2022 and one of the best projects release this decade. An instant CLASSIC.
  10. Levybonitinho
    Nov 27, 2022
    10
    Esse álbum é perfeito, de todas as maneiras, mistura tudo que ela sabe fazer de bom. Ela foi tão artista, mais do que ela já era... Depois desse album eu não sei mais o que esperar dela, só sei que coisa ruim não devo esperar. Rina sawayama, VOCÊ É UMA DIVA ALÉM DE TUDO!!!!!! NOTA 100000
  11. EmotionFul
    Nov 8, 2022
    10
    This album just helped me through so much -genuine- its kind of a "if you get it" situation and its def a new face to Rina, but HELL AM I HERE FOR IT. MASTERPIECE! Free therapy, I could go on.
  12. Dessert
    Nov 5, 2022
    10
    A completely different album from their debut. Rina shows us the strength of singing to your inner child, overcoming the past and living in peace with it.
    With pop rhythms, hyper-pop, ballads and electric guitars that make you Chinese skin, rina gives us a perfect successor.
  13. grotesquette
    Nov 1, 2022
    9
    I would say Rina is probably my favorite pop star out there right now. I simply connect with her music. It's also very enjoyable, but I just relate to some songs in a way that doesn't happen with most of her peers. That's one of the many factors in making this my favorite 2022 album thus far.
  14. Asustouch
    Oct 21, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not quite sure what I was listening to. But anyways here you go!........................................................................… Expand
  15. Dsros96
    Oct 5, 2022
    6
    Not a bad album but ballads aren't her main appeal. Some lyrics are extremely weird unintentionally. At least the pop songs are good and fun.
  16. darocabo
    Oct 3, 2022
    10
    the album is a work of art, fresh sounds but also nostalgic. Plus, it has great lyrics!
  17. Eddie03
    Oct 1, 2022
    10
    Refreshing, healing and meaningful pop with purpose. Rina makes an emotional comeback from her debut 2020 album Sawayama, dealing with issues ranging from gaslighting, religious trauma, guilt and self parenting.
  18. guilliards
    Sep 30, 2022
    10
    Rina conseguiu superar o quase insuperável "sawayama" e entrega talvez o melhor álbum de 2022. Com grandes influências do começo dos anos 2000, "Hold the Girl" é um álbum maduro com letras profundas e diversas sonoridades. Destaque para "Frankenstein", "Hurricanes", "Phantom" e "Hold the Girl"
  19. Bobbynibbles
    Sep 29, 2022
    10
    This album is incredible. The focus on overcoming childhood trauma and healing is perfectly paired with wonderful vocals. All of the songs on this LP are powerful, but the title track and “Catch Me In The Air” are the best in my opinion. I love all of her work, but I prefer this album to SAWAYAMA.
  20. jorgegcp02
    Sep 25, 2022
    9
    Rina's refined taste got us her gorgeous debut album SAWAYAMA. She then took another step in elevating her gender warping abilities to deliver an even more polished body of work, Hold The Girl cements Rina as true (alt) pop royalty. New Musical Express (NME) said it all, "the best British pop album of the year". Rina and Clarence are making it way too hard on us at this point.
    Top 3:    Rina's refined taste got us her gorgeous debut album SAWAYAMA. She then took another step in elevating her gender warping abilities to deliver an even more polished body of work, Hold The Girl cements Rina as true (alt) pop royalty. New Musical Express (NME) said it all, "the best British pop album of the year". Rina and Clarence are making it way too hard on us at this point.
    Top 3: Forgiveness, Hold The Girl and Frankenstein.

    Critic Score: 9.4/10    … Expand
  21. Estaneck
    Sep 24, 2022
    10
    O álbum da rina sawayama hold the girl é perfeito do início ao fim cada música muito bem feita, arranjos e melodias sensacionais rina merece só nota 10 Álbum perfeito.
  22. dandiashp
    Sep 17, 2022
    10
    Rina … I have no words, for me the best album of the year, so far … a magic and deep experience into a world full of emotions, every song is a masterpiece!
  23. tgeier1618
    Sep 23, 2022
    10
    Rina guides us through the soundscape of trauma recovery. Her powerful and buttery vocals deliver emotional blows ranging from sadness, regret, anger, snark, acceptance, relief, gratitude, elation, and beyond. Once again, Rina demonstrates incredible breadth and comfort in different genres and tempos while maintaining a logical flow from one to the next. Strong thematic cohesion gives thisRina guides us through the soundscape of trauma recovery. Her powerful and buttery vocals deliver emotional blows ranging from sadness, regret, anger, snark, acceptance, relief, gratitude, elation, and beyond. Once again, Rina demonstrates incredible breadth and comfort in different genres and tempos while maintaining a logical flow from one to the next. Strong thematic cohesion gives this body of work a sense of unity and the track list never fails to deliver strong melodies and interesting production to keep your focus no matter which emotion she is commanding from us.… Expand
  24. joaotekiaware
    Sep 22, 2022
    9
    This album is a wild, chaotic and emotional journey to past. Rina has here a master production, wich grows leaving the listener to unexpected sounds and reflections about life. She lead us to a heal process, she touches points that I thought it were hided or forgot. She shows her past, present and her future, even her inner energy, feelings and processes. At the same time, it becomes aThis album is a wild, chaotic and emotional journey to past. Rina has here a master production, wich grows leaving the listener to unexpected sounds and reflections about life. She lead us to a heal process, she touches points that I thought it were hided or forgot. She shows her past, present and her future, even her inner energy, feelings and processes. At the same time, it becomes a double journey, cause she translate our own self. Unique artist, unique album! Versatility and talent as songwriter, Rina is the future of the industry.… Expand
  25. resserpanda
    Sep 20, 2022
    8
    It's not as good as the first album, but it's good enough. Starting with this album, she became a mainstream artist.
  26. Xiaowang
    Sep 19, 2022
    10
    I find this album grow on me, for the first listening I may give a 7, but now it sounds quite different, every single is interesting and excellent, but it’s kinda tiring to listen to the whole album, the emotion is overwhelming. But it’s such an amazing body of work, thank you Rina ; )
  27. felishafoxtrot
    Sep 19, 2022
    10
    RINA IS MOTHERRR!!! Album of the year! The 4-track run of Holy Til You Let Me Go - Frankenstein is immaculate. Really related to these 4 tracks. Can’t wait for the future of Rina.
  28. itssirlucas
    Sep 19, 2022
    10
    Phenomenal album that cured my childhood trauma, thanks mother! Personally prefer HTG to Sawayama.
  29. Oichiii
    Sep 18, 2022
    10
    Incrível!!! E de novo você entregou um trabalho coeso, tocante, dançante, reflexivo e verdadeiro. Que venham mais e mais obras primas dessa artista maravilhosa
  30. Gqpis12
    Sep 18, 2022
    10
    This girl i swear !!! Most underrated artist in our generation. What can i say . These lyrics hit so deep . Anyone that is a part of the lgbtq , can relate so much with these songs . Production as always SO GOOD . Favorites have to be Hold The Girl, Imagining, Your Age , Send my love to John , Holy( till you let me go) and To Be Alive
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Beats Per Minute
    Sep 29, 2022
    79
    With bops and tearjerkers aplenty, Rina’s sincerity in how she confronts her past demons cannot help but warm even the iciest heart.
    Read full review
  2. Sputnikmusic
    Sep 20, 2022
    70
    It’s a respectable record with easily enough depth and conviction to hint at something thoroughly vital, but it folds so much of itself along lines too deeply creased into forms too clean-edged to bear the kind of authorial stamp its many raw qualities beg for.
    Read full review
  3. Slant Magazine
    Sep 20, 2022
    70
    Her experiments aren’t as bold or memorable as those of her debut, and the hooks throughout Hold the Girl aren’t as immediately catchy. Nonetheless, Sawayama’s undeniably fierce willingness to gaze further inward and confront thornier topics makes the album compelling in its own right.
    Read full review
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