Rising Tokyo based half Japanese, half Lebanese alt-pop starlet Sarina, is pleased to announce a brand new release with the arrival of ‘Atlas’, released 31st August through Sony Music Japan.
Atlas’ is a coming together of cinematics and musicianship, inspired by Greek mythology and Japanese culture, a heady concoction of western eclecticism and eastern philosophy, intertwined and deepened by Sarina’s effortless delivery.
She says: “The song Atlas, which starts with a magnificent intro featuring the sounds of an orchestra and powerful Taiko drums, is designed to evoke and resonate with the feeling of watching a scene in a film. The lyrics are about toxic love.
The act of sacrifice has been romanticised beyond what it is: although necessary sometimes, unreciprocated sacrifice has been revered to a point of damage and loss of one’s self. The title, Atlas, takes inspiration from the Greek myth about the titan, Atlas, who carries the heavens on his shoulders. Similar to the myth, The song symbolises holding on to everything yourself for fear of burdening your partner. It’s about applying too much pressure on one’s self to carry everything, sacrificing their own well being for the sake of the other.”
What inspired this release ‘Atlas’?
I was really proud of Atlas at the time, I feel like the song is a good mix of catchy and memorable and also very emotionally raw. The melody feels good in my lungs and chest to sing as well! I felt like people also really resonated with it. I wanted to portray strength and also desperation, an act of strength that feels more burdening than impressive, this is also part of the inspiration behind the name. Atlas is the Titan who carries the heavens on his shoulders. The crushing weight of the world, on a single being. This is the emotion I wanted to bring forth in the song.
What makes this song special in your opinion?
I personally love the way the arrangement came out. The Taiko sounds and the orchestral parts and the way the song takes your mind into the scene of a movie! I feel like, as someone born to a Lebanese mother and Japanese father especially in this generation, I want to show my love for my heritage. I felt that the combination of Japanese and Western music influence was very powerful and something that really pertains to mixed cultures and the need to pay homage to traditional cultures while honouring them in a modern setting as well. In this day and age, tradition and ancient culture is starting to lose its value as a genuine history. It’s easy to forget the depth and the meaning behind all of the symbols and practices, so I really feel like the attention to symbolism in Atlas was special.
What is the lyrical content inspired by?
Atlas is inspired by love and, more specifically, one sided effort. I think it’s really easy for people to take on too much in a relationship (romantic or otherwise). We want to hold on to everything ourselves, every problem is our problem and no one else’s because to share would be to burden someone else. It’s not a healthy way to be and I think that although we know that, we forget what it looks like when we’re in it. We tell ourselves things like “I’m not tired.” “I’m healthy”, “I’m fine”, even “It’s worth it for them.” But that’s no way to live and certainly no way to love. My mother always told me that friendship is a two way street, and that stuck with me. I think all interpersonal relationships should be a two way street and I feel like everyone is worthy of sharing their burdens. It’s less about making it a 50/50 split all the time, and more about being willing to share some of your hardships with the people you care for and not letting that voice in your head tell you that you’re a burden because of it. Atlas is a song about endurance and repression. It’s about shoving down how tired you are and how desperate you are and letting yourself be hurt but calling it strength. A strong heart is admirable, but even the strongest warriors sleep when the sky is dark.
How do you keep yourself inspired?
I am inspired by emotion and experience. All of my songs have a piece of me inside them, a part of my mind and personality and life that couldn’t be contained in my heart. Sometimes those feelings are from others I empathise with, sometimes they are from something I observed, but no matter where it originates, when I write I am genuinely feeling the words and the melody behind it.
What was your first exposure to music?
It all started when I was simply stardust observing a genius artist, and a divine dancer. Both my parents were passionate about the arts all their life, and born from that passion, I came to be. My mother tells me I used to dance in her stomach before I was born, and as I grew older my love for music was undeniable, much to the chagrin of my teachers, who’s classes I simply HAD to sing in. Artistry and music is so ingrained within me that I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see my DNA strands look like sheet music.
What excites you about your life?
For the first time in my life, I’d have to say my future. I spent a long time dreading the fact that I’d live to see tomorrow and now I can’t wait for what’s ahead of me. I’m proud of who I’ve become and the work I’ve put in to get here and I’m so grateful that I am excited for my future
How would you describe your style in one word?
I’d have to say “honest.” I have always been the type to unabashedly be who I am. Both of my parents have amazing fashion sense and it would be a lie to say I wasn’t inspired by their individuality. My mother’s grace and my father’s punk fashion mixed with my love of Cute things and anime, made me gain an appreciation for countless subcultures and styles I enjoy taking part in!
What are your next moves?
My passion has always been for art and creation. Acting, singing, dancing, and fashion, all of it has a place in my heart, and expresses who I am. So I hope that I’ll be able to release more music and act on stage or in film. I want to reinvigorate my creative direction and broaden my horizon. I think art is best expressed with experience so I hope to gain life experience and continue to discover who I am creatively while sharing what that brings with all of you.
So maybe my answer should be; I really don’t know… But that’s the adventure.
