Rising pop stars Rachel Chinouriri and Cat Burns have joined forces on their captivating new single, ‘Even’. The two-minute track is charged with raw emotion, as the pair release their frustrations over the mistreatment of Black women in the music industry, singing, “they never played us even”.
The track begins with Chinouriri, seemingly exhausted: “Wish I could lay my head to rest with a little more money”. While her vocals are as rich and alluring as ever, it is impossible to ignore the sadness that intertwines with her dulcet tone. Her pain is underscored with delicate and steady instrumentals that build gradually, drawing the reader into her intimate, emotional space, before erupting in the powerful chorus.
Here, the pair team up to call out hypocrisy at the top of their voices. The layering of Chinouriri and Burns’ enchanting voices brings a newfound intensity to the track, a juxtaposition to its gentle beginning. As the pair simultaneously chant “We talk the same, dress for fame / Why does no one else believe in / us the same?”, the listener is struck with the full force of the duo’s rage and sadness, which they harness as a means to inspire change. This was confirmed in a recent Instagram caption by Chinouriri, where she states, “the experience of being a black woman in the UK music industry is quite a unique one… Hopefully the music industry can continue to evolve and it’s taking the right steps”.
The instrumentals are stripped back again to allow Burns’ voice to take centre-stage following the song’s climax. Her verse is slow and packed full of poignant lyrics, as she sings “Wish I didn’t have to climb twice as high / for them to see me”. The simplicity of the musical arrangement that soundtracks her verse allows the listener to feel the depth of each word she sings, and feel the full impact of her grief.
The vulnerability of the pair’s solo verses aligns beautifully with the explosion of the chorus to create a unified message of resilience in this potent track. In this way, the song highlights both individual struggle and collective strength, and shows solidarity to listeners who resonate with the pain encapsulated in this song. Chinouriri and Burns’ soulful vocals complement each other perfectly, amplifying the pain and anger that underlies their harmonious sound. With moving lyrics and a stirring melody, the song serves as a powerful anthem for listeners with the shared experience of seeking recognition and change.
Words by Zahra Hanif
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