Arlo Parks Announces New Album My Soft Machine With Release Of New Single “Weightless”
Photo by Alexandra Waespi
British singer/songwriter Arlo Parks just announced her sophomore album My Soft Machine, set to release on May 26 on Transgressive Records and dropped its first single, “Weightless.”
The new record follows her debut album, Collapsed in Sunbeams, which gained critical acclaim after reaching the top three on the UK Album Charts and won the AIM Awards for Best Independent Album and UK Independent Breakthrough. The 22-year-old received two Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album in 2022 and won the BRIT Award for Best New Artist. Parks takes inspiration from her love of Radiohead and R&B to create indie-rock chord progressions, lo-fi beats, and layered vocals to support the singer’s light-angelic voice.
Parks’ newest single “Weightless” tackles themes of unrequited love, self-worth, and the importance of taking care of yourself. Arlo’s light and heady tone pierce through the driving beat and rumbling bass that kicks off the song. The hook is extremely catchy, and keeps circling in your head throughout the chorus that repeats the lyrics, “Don’t wanna wait for you.” The repetition highlights the reluctant nature of leaving, but knowing what needs to be done in order to escape the weight of unrequited love.