NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Lo Lauren ‘Monster’
30 November 2023
The 26-year-old Londoner’s track fuses poetic verses that unravel themes of vulnerability and strength in love alongside an infectious beat; combining the two, she creates a seriously re-playable anthem. Chinouriri’s vocals soar as the song gains momentum, building to a crescendo that had me rushing to listen again.
The Brit School-trained artist began her career uploading music to SoundCloud, and her song ‘So My Darling’ later gained traction on TikTok. Last year, she received Clara Amfo’s seal of approval when ‘All I Ever Asked’ was named the Hottest Record in the World. Now, after two successful EPs, Rachel is releasing her debut album ‘What a Devastating Turn of Events’ in May.
She previously joined Lewis Capaldi on tour after hilariously sending him a drunken Instagram DM asking to perform. Last year, more ‘Darlings’ (fans) were created when she opened for Louis Tomlinson on the European leg of his Faith in the Future World Tour. ‘Never Need Me’ proved popular on tour, leading to its release this week – and it’s easy to see why.
The track begins with a catchy, toe-tapping drum beat and the earworm: ‘pa-da, pa, pa-da, pa’. Chinouriri launches into the tale of a complex relationship dynamic, using her ethereal vocals to ask for personal growth and independence from someone who has exhibited destructive behaviour. ‘Never Need Me’ builds to a bridge that will be electric live – the breakdown has the perfect beat to clap along to, peaking when Rachel belts ‘Ahhh’ in a cathartic cleanse.
The lyrics encapsulate a concern for the other person as well as a strong desire to maintain personal boundaries:
“In my head you can do what you like
Oh no, I couldn’t care what you do with your life
I hope you just take it easy
I hope that you never need me
And maybe I’ll regret not sticking around
But how can I swim if you’re pullin’ me down?
Just promise you’ll take it easy
I hope that you never need me.”
Chinouriri said in a press release: “I made this song with a sense of heartbreak but empowerment. 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.”
The song’s music video stars Chinouriri’s friend, Florence Pugh, and depicts the two dancing around a kitchen baking a cake – which later gets shoved in the antagonist’s face. It is a video that perfectly aligns with the themes of the song whilst also oozing everything that is great about female friendship.
Rachel Chinouriri’s album ‘What a Devastating Turn of Events’ is out on May 3rd. If you can’t wait until then ‘Darlings’, grab a sneak peek at the highly anticipated tracklist at an Unplugged Tour show, taking place across the UK throughout February.
