Rina Sawayama gets Uniqlo to run her a cheque to fund the elusive album

Rina Sawayama stays denying us a new album in the year of 2019, but she's consistently making that brand coin.

Rina has been showing up for Mercedes Benz, Gucci, Mac cosmetics and now Uniqlo.

Uniqlo isn't luxurious for shit, but it's easily the most accessible brand out of the aforementioned, alongside Mac. Not every Rina fan can go buy a Benz and some Gucci. But they can probably set aside some coin to go buy some HEATTECH panties and a Disney T-shirt.

Rina is in a line of Japanese artists who have featured in Uniqlo campaigns. Meisa Kuroki was cashing Uniqlo cheques for years until she fell pregnant. Classic. MiChi cashed a Uniqlo cheque. Perfume cashed a Uniqlo cheque. And Kyary Pamyu Pamyu cashed a cheque for Uniqlo's cheaper sister brand g.u with "Fashion monster".

Get paid however bitch. If Uniqlo said they'd pay me to sit on a cushion in a down coat, my ass would be on set and ready to go before the ink dried on that bitch. Plus, Uniqlo genuinely make good shit. Half my wardrobe is Uniqlo.

This marks the second time that Rina has featured in a campaign for the Japanese clothing brand. The first being for their collaboration with Alexander Wang.

Charli XCX is about to embark on the European leg of her tour, for which Rina is the opening act. This is a great look, as I imagine that many of Charli's fans will dig Rina, if they aren't fans of hers already. Rina has stated that these gigs will be the last ones where she performs her regular setlist, which signals that she may be ready to draw a line under the Rina EP and start giving us new music.

Rina has also said that we'll get something new from her between now and early 2019. I'mma take this with a pinch of salt, because we know how it can go with music. Also, given that Rina will be touring with Charli XCX and be in the company of A.G Cook of PC music, maybe she'll end up cutting songs with him, having seen the trajectory of Charli's career since she started working with him. Or maybe just the act of touring will inspire her to want to write and record new songs.

I am not precious about having this album tomorrow. I would much rather Rina puts it out at a time when she and her team know it will get exposure, actually sell and rack up streams. Because I'm try'na have Rina here for the long game and giving us multiple albums. Not just one.

If you ain't heard Rina's EP yet, then you need to go listen to it. Because it's what Jesus would want you to do.

📝 Review: Rina's self-titled EP