Rachel Chinouriri is an enchanting artist who first emerged in 2018 with a sound rooted in R&B and soul. Over the last few years, she has transitioned to an alt-pop style. Recently, Chinouriri released her debut album, What a Devastating Turn of Events, which has brought her significant chart success, attaining number 17 on the UK Album Charts this week. The 14-track album delves into her life’s highs and lows, the lessons learned, and the devastation hinted at in its title while conveying hope and the inherent beauty in life’s darkest moments.
“This album marks the start of a journey I’ve long been awaiting,” Chinouriri says. “There were times it seemed like it wouldn’t happen. I hope this album showcases my potential and creativity, encouraging listeners to follow my future works. Although I could have taken many paths with this album, I aimed to reflect on my life and upbringing. I went through tough times, especially being Black and British, and now I just want to have fun. The themes may be sad, but I feel like I’m healing and can now enjoy life and freely express myself through music. Releasing this album has made me feel so liberated and happy,” she continues.
The album features a blend of genres, including rock, electronica, R&B, and soul, seamlessly united by Chinouriri’s expressive and magnetic vocals. It begins with “Garden of Eden,” a dramatic and cinematic opener that sets the tone with a constant beat and shifts from a high register to a flatter vocal, symbolizing defeat. It lyrically discusses the pain of growing up and existential questions, with lines like, “No matter what, your youth is gonna end / My God, it’s sinking in / There’s no point in anything.”
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The second single, “Never Need Me,” is a joyous burst of pop with darker lyrical undertones about the heartbreak of parting ways with a loved one who cannot change. This leads into “My Everything,” a heavier pop-rock-grunge track with fuzzy guitars and backward-played vocal hooks. The song expresses regret over giving everything to someone who ultimately caused heartbreak: “I wish I could have you for myself / But the problem is that you’re for someone else.”
Originally from her 2022 EP Better Off Without, “All I Ever Asked” was named Hottest Record in the World by BBC Radio 1 in March 2022 and still sounds fresh today. “Dumb Bitch Juice” combines funk and R&B as Chinouriri sings about falling for the wrong man: “I’ll be giving it the same excuse that ‘He looks so good’ / And my friends tell me, ‘No’ / But I keep sipping on this dumb bitch juice.”
The album’s second half takes a darker turn, with songs addressing “worst-case scenarios.” Chinouriri explains, “Each song represents how you deal with trauma, but in the second half, it’s when you get bad news, and your world turns upside down. Although I’m better now, and these events have shaped me, they no longer cause the same pain. This album reflects those experiences and hopes to make listeners feel less alone.”
The title track, “What a Devastating Turn of Events,” is perhaps the album’s darkest, recounting Chinouriri’s cousin’s tragic story involving an unexpected pregnancy and eventual suicide. “My Blood” complements this with themes of depression and self-harm, seeking to draw attention to emotional pain: “What do I do when pain comes at a price I can’t afford?… It’s my blood on the broken door / It’s my blood in the makeup drawer,” ending on an emotional high with soaring strings.
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“Robbed,” a gentle guitar ballad, tells of loss and separation: “You were robbed of summer / I was robbed of you.” “Cold Call” embraces a late ’90s indie-rock vibe, as Chinouriri declares, “Life can be unfair / So I won’t take these cold calls anymore.”
“I Hate Myself” candidly addresses eating disorders with an indie-pop sound and conversational tone, ending on a hopeful note: “It’s not okay for a man’s opinion to cause pain / They say looks can kill and they almost did…I love myself and I love my skin.”
The penultimate track, “Pocket,” is a simple love song about readiness for new love: “You’re the perfect secret I can’t tell…I promise I can love you by myself.” The album concludes with an acoustic version of her 2018 single “So My Darling,” which went viral on TikTok in 2022. Ending on this nostalgic note was essential to Chinouriri after presenting mainly new songs.
What a Devastating Turn of Events is a powerful debut album. It is lyrically challenging and emotionally raw, and Chinouriri’s vulnerability makes her music highly relatable. Musically, it’s near perfect, featuring captivating melodies and harmonies, and Chinouriri’s voice is memorably engaging. This album marks one of the most significant releases of 2024, signaling the rise of an emerging global superstar.
