Arlo Parks releases new single 'Weightless' and announces new album 'My Soft Machine' will be released in May
Image: Vince Aung
The UK’s Arlo Parks first released music in 2018 and in 2021 shot to international acclaim with the release of her debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams. Mixing pop, indie, soul and R&B, the album climbed to number 3 in the UK, number 18 in Australia and also gained critical acclaim, receiving three nominations at the 2021 BRIT Awards - with Parks winning Best New Artist - two nominations at the Grammy Awards, and a slew of other nominations across the world.
Almost two years exactly to her breakthrough release, Parks has returned with the single ‘Weightless’, the first chapter in her next musical era. Co-written with and produced by Paul Epworth (Adele, Florence + The Machine, Rina Sawayama), ‘Weightless’ moves Parks in a more electronic pop soundscape, with a shuffling beat underpinning Parks’ unique and emotive vocals and gorgeous melodies. A middle eight breakdown brings elements of rap and hip hop into the track before it hits you with the full force of its lush, warm chorus again.
“‘Weightless’ surrounds the painful experience of caring deeply about someone who only gives you tiny breadcrumbs of affection,” Parks says. “It’s about suddenly realising that a person has dulled your edges and embarking on the slow journey back to being a brighter version of yourself.”
Parks has also announced that she will be releasing her second album My Soft Machine on May 26. A deeply personal record, it will reflect Parks’ experiences as she navigates her 20s, and the growth that comes alongside that. The album will feature a collaboration with Phoebe Bridgers, and sees Parks work with some of the of the industry’s most respected producers including Ariel Rechstaid (Madonna, HAIM, Sky Ferreira, Kelela), Romil Hemnani (BROCKMAN) and Buddy Ross (Frank Ocean).
“This record is life through my lens, through my body - the mid 20s anxiety, the substance abuse of friends around me, the viscera of being in love for the first time, navigating PTSD and grief and self sabotage and joy, moving through worlds with wonder and sensitivity - what it’s like to be trapped in this particular body,” Parks reveals.
Ever since breaking through in 2021, Arlo Parks has been one of music’s most intriguing and mesmerising new artists. Her music is warm, relatable and intelligent with a soundscape that is both familiar and uniquely different. With the release of ‘Weightless’, it is looking like My Soft Machine will be as stunning a collection of music as her first album and is destined to be a highlight of 2023.
‘Weightless’ is out now via Transgressive Records. You can download and stream here.
My Soft Machine will be released via Transgressive Records on May 26. You can pre-order and pre-save now.
To keep up with all things Arlo Parks you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
