Bad Friend

Bad Friend

Rina Sawayama

According to a Pitchfork article, Rina wrote the heart-tugging highlight “Bad Friend” after checking Facebook for the first time in a while and seeing that a formerly close friend had a new baby. The track details a trip they took to Tokyo in 2012, when they got drunk and danced naked to Carly Rae Jepsen in a karaoke booth. It was ultimately produced by Kyle Shearer, whose resume includes work with Carly Rae Jepsen—‘which is wild,’ Rina says, shaking her head. ‘Just what are the fucking chances?’

The song was premiered as BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record in the World on April 15, 2020.