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Singer-songwriter Arlo Parks will perform at the Fillmore in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 27, 2021.
Arlo Parks established himself as a talented and introspective singer-songwriter with his sophomore release, My Soft Machine.
At just 22 years old, Parks has already garnered great critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. Her first release of 2021, Collapsed in Sunbeams, was nominated at the 2021 Brit Awards and won the 2021 Mercury Prize for Album of the Year, which recognizes the best music and artists in the UK. Produced during quarantine, the album was forced to appeal to Generation Z. Growing up in a pandemic.
“My Soft Machine” serves as a high-level sequel to “Collapsed in Sunbeams,” delving further into themes of love, identity, self-expression, and trauma. The 12-track album will be released on May 26th and will feature features from indie sensation Phoebe Bridgers.
The record opens with ‘Bruiseless’, a spoken word piece lamenting the hardships of aging and growing awareness of the world. The work is deeply personal and filled with feelings of shame, longing, and regret.
“I wish I was seven years old and innocent,” Parks sings. “I wish my eyes were still wide open.”
The second track, “Impurities,” is more upbeat and seems to expand on the themes taken up by “Bruiseless.” This song is about the power of love to make someone feel comfortable and secure in themselves and their relationships.
“I feel clean again when you embrace all my impurities,” sings Parks. “Don’t cover your bruises when you know I’m watching.”
“Devotion” is a bona fide love song with lyrics that can be read as standalone poems, and the music makes it even stronger. The song also leans toward a punk sound, with heavy guitars and drums that stray somewhat away from Parks’ typical light, iridescent tone.
The next track, “Blades”, is a more disappointing tune set to subtle, upbeat synths and is a further evolution of Parks’ style. The song reminisces about a previous relationship and examines the lost time spent together, once again presenting a powerful sentence.
“And you laugh the same way, I put my hand over my mouth because I hate my teeth,” sings Parks. “And I love your teeth, but I’m afraid to speak.”
“Purple Phase” feels most like Parks’ previous work in its dreamy, dreamy tone. Compared to the track on “Collapsed in Sunbeams,” however, it feels a little raw, and its slow pace seems to drag on.
“Weightless” is currently the record’s most popular song, and it’s easy to see why. The song is about a one-sided relationship, in which Parks is “hungry for love” but feels helpless and unable to find the strength to leave the relationship. “Weightless” is catchy, approachable, and one of her best tracks on the album.
“I don’t want to wait for you, but I need you so I won’t go,” Parks sings in the chorus.
Pegasus, a collaboration between Parks and Bridgers, is understated but beautiful. Still, Bridger fans might be disappointed by what feels like a small feature. Their vocals blend smoothly, but Bridger’s role in the track can be difficult to distinguish.
“Dog Rose” is a great song, but it’s the kind of song that will ultimately be forgotten in this project. It’s a sweet love song, but it doesn’t really stand out among the tracks or add anything to the album as a whole.
But the next track, “Puppy,” sounds sensual and adds an edge to the project. The song acknowledges that life’s challenges are not always resolved. The lyrics convey a longing for youth, and at the same time recognize that “some things are not easy”.
“I’m Sorry” also showcases Parks’ writing talents, detailing the difficulty of starting a new relationship and how it’s easier to choose insensitivity than the possibility of being hurt. Parks again uses a spoken word/slow rap style on this song, which helps break the flow.
“Room (Red Wings)” is also about heartbreak and loss, but both sonically and lyrically feels like one of the weaker songs on the album.
The final track, ‘Ghost’, concludes the project on a high note as one of the most beautiful songs on the album. Parks’ rhythms blend well with acoustics and instrumentals to create well-crafted songs.
Overall, My Soft Machine is a strong sophomore album, with Parks clearly broadening his horizons and exploring new styles. She has great moments throughout the project and her introspection and earnestness make her songs dynamic and engaging.
Rating: 3.5/5
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