Boombox

Rachel Chinouriri released her second extended play “Better Off Without” on May 20th, 2022. The project consist of four pop injected and fun produced tracks that detail Rachel’s complications with love and moving on from a relationship gone sour. Here are my thoughts and initial opinions on each of the songs after sitting with this EP in my rotation for the past year and a half.

Track 1: All I Ever Asked

After seeing a bunch of TikTok’s pop up on my For You Page using a snippet from the lead single of the project, “All I Ever Asked”, I decided to give the track a listen. I was immediately hooked on the catchy chorus and interesting description within the lyrics. The song’s production uses a collab of upbeat chord progressions and a short vocal riff that is present throughout the song. This song was a great opener as to the themes explored in the project.

Track 2: Happy Ending

The second track brings nothing short from the first one as it shows Rachel feeling robbed of a “Happy Ending” in the relationship with her ex-partner. The production uses synths and drums to surround you with the feelings portrayed in the lyrics but in a pop feel. I thought this song was very easy listening and interesting and fun to listen to.

Track 3: Better Off Without

The title track for this EP brought more of an acoustic feel for this EP but hitting us again with the poppy production and emotional lyrics. This song shows Chinouriri realizing that the relationship that she was in wasn’t the best for her and as the title says, she is better off without him and vice versa. Honestly, the way the lyrics and production work together along with Rachel’s vocal delivery makes this song my favourite from this project.

Track 4: Fall Right Out Of Love

Finally, the last track calms down from the energized past three. It is a stripped back acoustic ballad matching it’s emotional lyrics that shows Rachel singing to her lover as she explains that they have to go their separate ways. This song really is the perfect bow to finish off the EP in a soft hearted sincere way.

Ranking and Score

I truly love this EP and it was in my top 10 projects from 2022. Rachel Chinouriri is a smaller artist however I can totally see her growing in popularity this year.

Overall Score: 9/10

Ranking:

1. Better off Without

2. All I Ever Asked

3. Fall Right Out of Love

4. Happy Ending