Little House: Can we talk about Rachel Chinouriri?

By Eva Sawdey

Rachael Chinouriri’s new EP, Little House, is a very fun collection of indie-techno-pop songs that describe the feelings of falling for someone. She recently finished opening for Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Tour on her European leg. While watching her opening act in Stockholm, her excitement and appreciation for the audience was clear in her performance. She would hype the crowd up, acknowledging that some people may not know some of the lyrics but encouraging them to sing along in a positive and heartwarming fashion. The lyrics on the screen were designed to look like a girly handwritten diary/ scrapbook, transitioning well to the Short n’ Sweet set. While introducing each song, Chinouriri would talk about her own life, name  dropping the people who inspired the songs, calling those people out, and giving such personal information. The info dump felt like one giant facetime call with the audience, making her read more friend than superstar. Little House includes four songs, the first two more upbeat and giddy, followed by the more soft and slow second half. Inspired by her new boyfriend, which she shared at the concert, Little House explains the story of how her relationship with him has changed her and how it felt to fall in love with him.

Starting with the first track on the EP, ‘Can We Talk About Isaac’ is a fun and relatable song. The song itself is very straightforward, explaining how the two met, capturing the feeling of liking someone so much that you cannot stop talking about them. The beginning of a crush is such an exciting time: wondering what they're doing, trying to be nonchalant looking at them, hoping that they’re looking at you. This song is such an honest depiction of having a crush with the lyrics “but if we’re gonna talk, can we talk about Isaac?” She is basically saying she does not want to talk, unless it is about him, and will constantly bring him up so she can talk about him. While probably excruciating for her friends, nothing matches the borderline obsessive excitement of a crush .  

‘23:42’ is the second track, where Rachel says she realised she actually enjoyed being in love with someone. This song mixes outward nonchalance with the internal freaking out. While the first verse leans into the chill girl side of things, the second verse is slightly more vulnerable as Rachel gives into her feelings, willing to let this person into her life. ‘23:42’ feels like an uncontrollable smile that you have in public after thinking about something that made you laugh, while everyone thinks you’ve gone kind of crazy. Her love for him is public, yet also their moments together are private and sacred. 

Transitioning to the more mellow and acoustic half of the album, ‘Judas’ explains the little betrayal of giving yourself to someone when starting a relationship. Instead of being used to the solitary life, Rachel shifted to having to be open with someone other than herself. “Dandelion, I think I blew it” is a beautiful line, setting up a picture of making a wish when blowing on a dandelion. She realised that this relationship, and this guy, was something she wanted. This song has many juxtapositions inserted in each line, adding to the going back and forth effect of giving up part of yourself for someone who you choose to love. 

The last track ‘Indigo’ sings about the peace and comfort she feels with Issac. Going back into their relationship, she reminisces on their past together. She appreciates everything he's done for her and how much she has adored their time together. The chorus is less lyrically heavy, with “You make love feel like” followed by serene instrumental melodies, finishing her sentence. The instrumental bit paints the story with simple, yet moving strums. Rachel’s choice to forego words gets at how loving someone cannot always be described in perfect detail. Sometimes creating a melody is more powerful than anything you can say with words. In contrast to the novelty and excitement on the first track, which makes her unable to stop talking, on ‘Indigo’ Chinouriri feels words don’t always have to be spoken to be understood by someone else. She is in a very deep, comforting stage of her relationship, as mirrored through the hums and instrumental continuations in the song.

Little House is a thoughtful and relatable take on being in love, including the hesitation, the excitement, and ultimately the calmness of it all. Rachel's funny and honest lyrics in the EP contribute to her transparent and story-teller style. After seeing her open for Sabrina Carpenter, can we please talk about Rachel Chinouriri?