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Cherry
Pop · 2018

Cherry

Rina Sawayama

Shimmering Y2K-inspired pop that balances glossy R&B textures with a vulnerable narrative of self-discovery and queer identity.

August 14, 2018 · Different Recordings

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Cherry is a masterclass in how to use nostalgia as a vehicle for radical honesty. While it leans heavily into the sonic palette of early 2000s R&B and teen pop, it avoids being a mere pastiche by grounding the music in a very specific, contemporary emotional reality. The track feels like a warm, neon-lit embrace, shimmering with the kind of digital clarity that makes every synth pluck and vocal layer feel intentional and vibrant. It is the sound of a person stepping into the light, shedding the weight of expectation to embrace a more authentic version of themselves.

Moments Worth Listening For
The way the production stutters and glitches during the bridge, mirroring the internal hesitation of a personal revelation.
The crystalline synth chime that introduces the chorus, instantly lifting the track into a state of pure pop euphoria.
The final vocal run where Sawayama's harmonies stack into a dense, shimmering wall of sound that feels both protective and celebratory.
Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does Cherry sound next to the rest of Rina Sawayama's catalogue?

Golden Hour+2.0σ

Golden Hour saturates this record far more than the artist's norm.

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