Rachel Chinouriri is a sad party girl on I think I spoke too soon

It may draw on the chaos of her clubbing days, which serve as the album's primary setting, but its dozen tracks are far from messy. The Croydon-born singer/songwriter sticks to a consistent palette of synth-pop, pop-rock, and what lies in between, but with elements of dissonance that provide the dreamlike touch that sets too soon apart. First track “One song away from crying” sets the tone for the record, with Chinouriri’s delicate voice declaring “I’ve never looked better and I’ve never felt worse” atop ‘80s dance beats. Here, and across the rest of the album, her breathy, siren-like vocals are situated high in the mix, making the songs seem almost like fading memories, or recovered from lost media. Focus track “Pretty Girls” delivers another bittersweet party song, while “Baby steps” and “Favourite desperation” introduce mid-tempo pop-rock that feels deliciously sunny but keeps the lyrical themes of doubt, dissatisfaction, and sorrow. In “AAAHHH!!!”, Chinouriri harbours both love and loathing for an unnamed beau, using catchy handclaps to create a cheerful contrast with the anguished lyrics of the post-chorus hooks; true to its title, the song culminates in frustrated screams as ...