A glittering dancefloor comedown by Rachel Chinouriri
The year 2026 has proven to be a spectacular runway for pop stars, with artists like Arlo Parks and Jorja Smith charting a course while even icons like Madonna have happily returned to the club. But amidst the glittering sounds of the dancefloor, a more intimate, deeply revealing soundtrack is emerging, led by the singer-songwriter Rachel Chinouriri with her sophomore album, ‘I Think I Spoke Too Soon’.
This record doesn’t just offer upbeat hooks; it provides a candid, sometimes messy, look at the emotional tightrope walk of modern life. Chinouriri’s album masterfully explores the dissonance between the dazzling external life she presents and the growing internal discontent simmering beneath the surface.
The journey begins with a sigh. On the opener, ‘One Song Away From Crying’, the music is slick disco, yet Chinouriri’s vocal delivery hints at a deeper feeling, as she admits, “I’ve never looked better and I’ve never felt worse”. It’s a perfectly contained start, muffled by the beat, suggesting a secret revealed in a secluded, private space.
Escapism quickly takes over with tracks like ‘Pretty Girls’, where dreamy, reverb-drenched verses lift into a chanted chorus about freedom. It’s pure, glitterball energy, celebrating the freedom of the night. This manic joy contrasts sharply with the wry melancholy found in other moments, such as when she questions her situation with lines like “Am I banging a loser? / Am I an easy manoeuvre?”, showing the complexity beneath the surface sheen.
As the album continues, Chinouriri digs into the vulnerability of her experience. Tracks like ‘Broken Chair’ showcase a brilliant balance of self-deprecation and raw emotion. With infectious synth lines and infectious rhythms, the song captures a moment of stark realization: “She’s throwing up into a gutter / It’s getting really hard to love her.” This is where her songwriting truly shines, balancing defensive posture with profound vulnerability.
The narrative deepens further on ‘Parasite’, where the infectious disco-punk drums accompany a narrative about toxic relationships and the intoxicating, yet damaging, presence of alcohol. The song captures the internal struggle of trying to navigate a fragile relationship, asking “What am I doing? / It’s the end of the night / And I don’t think I have it in me to fuck and apologise.” It’s a reflection on how social life and self-worth can become intertwined in a haze of temporary escape.
Ultimately, the album finds its resolution not in perpetual partying, but in a cathartic journey toward self-discovery. As the record closes with tracks like ‘Crash This Car’, Chinouriri moves away from the dancefloor and confronts her roots. Despite the hangxiety, there is a sense of acceptance, a realization that growth requires navigating these painful moments. The album ends on an optimistic note, suggesting that the painful truths discovered on the dancefloor are ultimately necessary for finding oneself.
‘I Think I Spoke Too Soon’ is a glittering comedown on the dancefloor, proving that the most compelling pop music is often the soundtrack to the complicated, messy, and ultimately hopeful process of growing up.
The album was released on October 16, 2026, under the labels Atlas Artists and Parlophone Records.
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