Rachel Chinouriri releases new single 'Never Need Me' and announces debut album 'What A Devastating Turn Of Events' will be out in May
Image: Lauren Harris
Published 22 January 2024
Since first releasing music in 2018, Rachel Chinouriri has built up a profile that has seen her become one of the most promising new talents in the UK, evidenced by a nomination for the 2021 Ivor Novello Rising Star Award and a spot on the shortlist for the BBC’s Sound of 2023. An artist that truly explores multiple different genres, her music effortlessly moves from glistening pop to indie to soul to scuzz.
Chinouriri has now released her new single, ‘Never Need Me’, the latest taste of her newly announced debut album What A Devastating Turn Of Events which will be released on May 3. ‘Never Need Me’ is a sparkling pop track with an infectious driving beat mixed with gentle acoustic moments. The song explores the concept of having to put yourself first when you realise helping the person you care for is damaging you. ‘How can I swim if you're pulling me down?’ she sings.
“I made this song with a sense of heartbreak but empowerment,” Chinouriri says. “It’s about taking your power back the moment you realise that helping someone is actually hurting you because they aren’t willing to change. Sometimes you end up enabling someone instead of actually helping them and carrying their load is tough. ‘Never Need Me’ is the moment you wish them well but you can’t continue to harm yourself by helping them. It’s always a tough decision to make but once you make it, it’s a weight lifted off your shoulders for sure.”
The music video for ‘Never Need Me’ was directed by Jacob Erland and features Academy Award nominated actress Florence Pugh. “Recently I was in LA and I was listening to a few of her songs and I thought, you know what, I’m actually going to reach out to this amazing artist and I just said ‘Thank you for making my day today’ and then she replied and was also a fan and then this idea came that I was in her music video!” Pugh says.
What A Devastating Turn Of Events will feature fourteen tracks and reflects the challenges and experiences of Chinouriri’s life to date in searingly honest detail, from the dark times to the joyful moments. Presented as two halves, the first half explores the themes of love and self-deprecation, while the second half turns darker.
“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. I’m a lot better now 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. I feel fortunate enough to be able to document that process and have it in physical form and sound. Hopefully it’ll help other people realise that it takes tough times, self accountability, betrayal and uncomfortable moments to finally get to a point of true self love. I’m more than ready for the next chapter”.
Chinouriri is a remarkable artist and her music is everything you want from your favourite pop star. With an ever evolving sonic palette, lyrics you can relate to and find your own story in and a beautiful voice, she has all the makings of a future superstar. What A Devastating Turn Of Events is shaping up to one of 2024’s greatest debut albums and is she isn’t already, it’s time to have Rachel Chinouriri on your music radar.
‘Never Need Me’ is out now via Warner Music Australia. You can buy and stream here.
What A Devastating Turn Of Events will be released on May 3. You can pre-order and pre-save here.
Follow Rachel Chinouriri on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.
