# XS (song)

"XS" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama, released on 2 March 2020, as the third single from her debut studio album, Sawayama, via the label Dirty Hit. The song criticises capitalism in the face of climate change over a pop, R&B, avant-pop and electropop backing. It received critical acclaim and was named among the best songs of 2020 by several critics. A remix featuring English singer Bree Runway, was released on 10 July 2020.

## Background, themes and composition

Sawayama said in a statement that "XS" is a song that "mocks capitalism in a sinking world":
   "Given that we all know global climate change is accelerating and human extinction is a very real possibility within our lifetime it seemed hilarious to me that brands were still coming out with new makeup palettes every month and public figures were doing a gigantic house tour of their gated property in Calabasas in the same week as doing a ‘sad about Australian wild fires’ Instagram post. I mean I’m guilty of turning a blind eye too, because otherwise it makes me depressed. We’re all hypocrites because we are all capitalists, and it’s a trap that I don’t see us getting out of. I wanted to reflect the chaos of this post-truth climate change denying world in the metal guitar stabs that flare up like an underlying zit between the 2000s R&B beat that reminds you of a time when everything was alright."
"XS" is a 2000s-inspired pop, R&B, avant-pop and electropop song with "upbeat bubblegum pop vibes" composed in the key of D minor with a tempo of 117 beats per minute. It begins with an "eerie" buildup of violins, while a "shredding" guitar riff appears before and after the chorus.

## Music video

The music video for "XS" was uploaded on YouTube on 17 April 2020, the same day as Sawayama's self-titled debut album was released. It currently has over 11 million views, making it the most-viewed video on Sawayama's channel. It was directed by Ali Kurr, who had also previously directed the music video for her other single, "STFU!".
In the video, Sawayama portrays a "QVC-like" "robotic" saleswoman who attends a shopping channel broadcast to promote a beverage named "RINA Water", which consists 99% of 24-karat gold and 1% of plasma. Later it is revealed that the liquid is extracted from a creature which is chained in an underground factory.

## Live performance

On 26 October 2020, Sawayama gave her first televised performance ever on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she performed "XS".

## Track listing

* Digital download/streaming
* "XS" – 3:21
* Digital download/streaming – Bree Runway Remix
* "XS" (Bree Runway Remix) – 3:22

## Reception
### Critical response

"XS" was well-received. While reviewing Sawayama's second album Hold the Girl, Cat Zhang of Pitchfork named "XS" her debut album's best song, commenting that "[the song] was intended as arch anti-capitalist critique in an age of climate crisis, but its luxe vision was a better sell for being the rich, not eating them; Sawayama whispered "excess" as if it were the name of a designer perfume, the scent of “more” intoxicating."

### Accolades

Critics' rankings for "XS" :
| Publication | Accolade | Rank |
| Billboard | The 20 Best LGBTQ Songs of 2020 | — |
| Billboard | The 30 Best Pop Songs of 2020: Staff Picks | — |
| Dazed | The 20 best tracks of 2020 | 4 |
| DIY | DIY's Tracks of 2020 | 8 |
| The Guardian | The 20 Best Songs of 2020 | 10 |
| The Line of Best Fit | The Best Songs of 2020 Ranked | 3 |
| NME | The 50 best songs of 2020 | 7 |
| Our Culture Mag | The 25 Best Songs of 2020 | 18 |
| Slate | The Best Albums of 2020 Plus Best Songs | — |