Rachel Chinouriri - I think I spoke too soon (2026)
A pleasant and colourful alternative pop album, combining catchy melodies, shimmering synthesizers and guitar-driven indie pop with personal and often melancholic lyrics. Rachel Chinouriri has an appealing vocal personality and some interesting songwriting ideas, although the overly polished production, uneven melodies and relatively conventional arrangements make the album less memorable than it could have been.
With I think I spoke too soon, Rachel Chinouriri returns with twelve songs combining indie pop, synthpop and alternative rock influences. Following her debut What A Devastating Turn Of Events, the album moves towards a brighter, more electronic sound, while retaining the personal and sometimes uncomfortable subjects that characterise her songwriting. The result is a pleasant and reasonably varied collection of songs, although one that doesn't always convince me.
What I appreciate most is the contrast between the upbeat music and the often melancholic lyrics. Chinouriri addresses relationships, insecurity and personal difficulties through colourful arrangements and accessible melodies. Her voice has a recognisable personality, and I particularly appreciate the more spontaneous moments where she allows herself to sound playful or vulnerable. Unfortunately, the songwriting doesn't always match the intentions, and several songs rely a little too heavily on their production.
"One song away from crying" opens the album with a restrained electronic rhythm and a rather melancholic atmosphere. The production is interesting, but I find the melody relatively ordinary. "Pretty girls" is more convincing, with its dreamy guitars and pleasant chorus, although it remains rather conventional.
"Baby steps" and "Favourite desperation" introduce more guitar-driven arrangements, and I find this direction considerably more appealing. The latter is one of the strongest compositions, combining energetic guitars, a catchy melody and a more natural vocal performance. It's one of the moments where the music feels less calculated and Chinouriri's personality comes through more clearly.
"I'm a star" brings some welcome energy and humour, with jangling guitars and a playful vocal delivery. "AAAHHH!!!" follows a similar approach, combining a catchy bassline with rhythmic vocals and a slightly chaotic atmosphere. Both songs are enjoyable, although their immediate appeal doesn't necessarily translate into much lasting interest.
"Broken chair" is my favourite track on the album, mainly thanks to its bouncing synthesizers, effective rhythm and catchy chorus. I particularly appreciate the contrast between the danceable arrangement and the more uncomfortable emotions expressed in the lyrics. It's one of the few compositions where the different elements come together convincingly, creating something both accessible and distinctive.
"Shiver" introduces a quieter atmosphere, allowing Chinouriri's vocals to become more prominent. It's pleasant enough, but I find the melody rather forgettable. "Make believe" also has some interesting electronic textures, although the arrangement sometimes seems more important than the actual song.
"Parasite" is more engaging, with its darker atmosphere and stronger rhythmic energy. The more aggressive approach gives the composition some welcome personality. "The good fight" returns to a more introspective direction, while "Crash this car" closes the album with a guitar-oriented arrangement. Neither leaves a particularly strong impression, however, and I find the final section less convincing than the middle of the record.
My main problem is the inconsistency of the songwriting. There are several enjoyable compositions, but too many songs lack sufficiently strong melodies or memorable choruses. Chinouriri has interesting things to say, and her voice can be quite expressive, yet the musical ideas don't always develop beyond fairly conventional alternative pop structures.
The production is another limitation. Although everything sounds polished and carefully arranged, I sometimes find the synthesizers and electronic textures a little excessive. They give the album a colourful identity, but can also make the music feel somewhat artificial. I generally prefer the guitar-driven compositions, where the arrangements leave more room for her voice and personality.
I also would have appreciated a stronger sense of progression. The album moves between different styles, but the contrasts aren't always particularly convincing, and some of the quieter tracks interrupt the momentum without offering enough emotional depth in return. The overall experience remains pleasant, although relatively few songs make me want to return to them.
Ultimately, I think I spoke too soon is a decent alternative pop album with some enjoyable melodies, interesting lyrics and a distinctive vocal personality. I particularly appreciate "Broken chair", "Favourite desperation" and "I'm a star", where the songwriting and arrangements work well together. However, the inconsistent melodies, occasionally excessive production and limited emotional impact prevent me from developing a stronger connection with the music. An interesting artist with some good ideas, but an album that rarely becomes particularly exciting.
63/100
Playing time: 00:40:18
❤️ Favourite track: "Broken chair"
+ Appealing vocal personality and an interesting contrast between upbeat music and personal lyrics
+ Several catchy compositions, particularly "Broken chair", "Favourite desperation" and "I'm a star"
+ Enjoyable combination of indie pop, electronic textures and guitar-driven arrangements
– Inconsistent songwriting, with several ordinary melodies and relatively forgettable choruses
– Occasionally excessive production that dilutes the personality and emotional impact of the songs
– Uneven pacing and too few genuinely memorable moments to encourage repeated listening
Genre: Indie Pop
Country: UK
Final Verdict: 63% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 484th / 768
Highlight: Broken chair
Made me think of:
Arlo Parks
Beabadoobee
Rina Sawayama
#newalbum #newalbum2026 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery
#IndiePop #RachelChinouriri #UK
#LP #Album #release
