After her debut made a critical splash both at home in the UK and worldwide, Rina Sawayama happily went for it further with her sophomore release, 2022’s full-on ode to the joys of 21st century pop Hold The Girl. It might be best described as a one-artist salute to the Eurovision Song Contest, mostly serving up one sparkling banger after another, whether stomping such as the big “Your Age” or swaying like “Phantom.” Her strong vocal control serves each song well, ranging from the processed feedback of “This Hell” to strong ballads such as “Forgiveness.”

– Ned Raggett