Arlo Parks, the twice Grammy-nominated, Mercury Prize and BRIT Award-winning artist, has released a new single, “Blades,” from her upcoming album “My Soft Machine.”
The album is deeply personal and focuses on her experiences in her twenties. “Blades” was written during what Parks calls “the magic week” in which she produced three songs in five days with producer Paul Epworth. The song is about tackling the collapse of a friendship and finding the courage to rebuild it. With nu-disco loops, synths, and soundscapes, the track is sure to get people moving.
Parks wanted to create something that people could dance to, which she feels is not a common quality in her music. She took inspiration from bands like ESG, artists like Kaytranada, and the psychedelic rock scene in Zambia in the 1970s. The single is accompanied by a music video directed by Bedroom at Compulsory Film, who also worked with Parks on her “Too Good” video.
“My Soft Machine” was recorded between London and Los Angeles, and produced by Paul Epworth, Ariel Rechtshaid, Romil Hemnani, Buddy Ross, and Carter Lang, as well as Parks herself. The album covers topics such as anxiety, substance abuse, love, PTSD, grief, self-sabotage, and joy. Parks explains that the record is called “My Soft Machine” because it represents life through her lens and body.
Parks has announced a run of headline tour dates across the UK and Europe for September, including a show at London’s Eventim Apollo. She has also announced a series of record store performances where she will play songs from the new album and sign copies for fans. The tickets for the performances have sold out.
“Blades” is a testament to Arlo Parks' versatility as an artist and the promise of her upcoming album “My Soft Machine” to be a standout record in her career.
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