Rachel Chinouriri - What A Devastating Turn Of Events
Pitchfork: Album Review (7.5)
“It’s no surprise the singer has taken off: her music is an intoxicating blend of dreamy vocals and prominent guitar lines.” – Sunday Times Culture
“What a Devastating Turn of Events, the 14-track record will leave listeners emotionally winded at every turn.” – ES Magazine
“Rachel weaves a rich story, one that comes with a myriad of lessons to be taken forward, all to the soundtrack of dreamy guitars and sparkling soundscapes.” – Dork, 5*
“‘What A Devastating Turn of Events’ has allowed Chinouriri to flex her creativity… It’s as though Chinouriri is finally at peace with herself, looking into the future and ready for what’s to come.” – NME
“the mark of a true indie star in the making… huge things surely await.” – Rolling Stone UK
“a unique voice on the British indie scene” – Grazia
“A really singular voice, really stretching her own boundaries and the boundaries of the industry we’re in today… she feels like she’s on the runway for takeoff” – Monocle On Culture
What A Devastating Turn Of Events is a culmination of the experiences, challenges and joys of Chinouriri’s life so far, explored through the prism of musical stylings honed through years of experimentation and creation. Ever-eclectic and brutally honest, the album traverses life’s light and shade, the writing and sharing a healing process for Rachel, and she hopes, her listeners.
What A Devastating Turn Of Events features the singles ‘It Is What It Is’, ‘What A Devastating Turn Of Events’, ‘Never Need Me’ (with a video starring Florence Pugh) and ‘The Hills’. To coincide with the release Rachel has shared tender album highlight ‘Robbed’, an intimate reflection on grief and loss.
On What A Devastating Turn of Events, Rachel Chinouriri is unflinching and mesmerising as she invites us into her world and the experiences that have shaped her to become the person she is today. Despite facing up to the darkest parts of herself and her life – relationships, loneliness, regret, abuse, unconditional freedom, self harm, alcohol abuse and ultimately, death – Rachel asks us to consider the beauty amongst it all too.
The record examines the thoughts that had been swirling around her head: there are more long-standing themes of love, self-deprecation, unworthy exes and finding her boundaries in the album’s first half, but then in the second half, things get heavier.
“It’s a turning point,” she says, “Each song represents how you deal with trauma, but on the second half it’s when you get bad news and your world turns upside down.” This is an album which deals with grief, heartache, hurt, and what she calls the “worst-case scenarios” when these things are left unspoken for too long.
“I’m a lot better now,” she smiles, “And all of these topics don’t hurt me anymore, to a degree, but they shaped me and made me the person I am. When these things happen, you will never be the person you were before then, you adapt; and I think this album reflects that. It’s a healing tool, and I’m hoping people listening to it might feel less alone.”
In the process of learning to collaborate with other writers and producers in the creation of her debut album, Rachel was able to create the sonic world that she’d long been searching for. From soft acoustics to shiny indie pop to roaring scuzz, there’s her mellifluous vocal, the sumptuous harmonies, and even occasional bouts of cheeky, chatty speak-singing à la Kate Nash and Lily Allen, through which she builds upon her penchant for candid, lyrical songwriting.
What A Devastating Turn Of Events’ expansive palette was fleshed out with executive producer Rich Turvey (Blossoms, The Courteeners, The Coral), and co-credits include hip-hop behemoth Kenny Beats, and writers like Aaron “Apob” Paul O’Brien, Glen Roberts, Mary Weitz, and her long-term collaborator Daniel Hylton-Nuamah. (Continue reading full bio on DISCO)