Rina Sawayama shares tender ballad "Chosen Family"

"Chosen Family" arrives after previous singles "XS", "Comme Des Garçons (Like The Boys)" and "STFU!".

She says of her new release, ""Chosen Family" is a very special song for me. The concept of a chosen family is, to me, a queer one - people are often kicked out of their homes or ostracized by their family, friends, and community after coming out. This can be an incredibly painful experience that can be remedied by finding a new 'chosen' family. The chorus lyrics 'We don't need to be related to relate, we don't need to share genes or a surname' is an invitation for anyone that feels that sense of otherness to find their chosen family, where they can truly be themselves and feel loved. I dedicate this song to my queer friends who I now consider family - it's essentially a big thank you to them, as I love them so much and I genuinely don't think I would be alive right now if it weren't for them."

Last month, Sawayama shared the chords and lyrics to "Chosen Family" and asked fans to create their own version of the song before it was released today (3 April).

She says of her forthcoming LP, "The album ultimately is about family and identity. It's about understanding yourself in the context of two opposing cultures (for me British and Japanese), what 'belonging' means when home is an evolving concept, figuring out where you sit comfortably within and awkwardly outside of stereotypes, and ultimately trying to be ok with just being you, warts and all."