Arlo Parks Shares New Single, “Blades”

Arlo Parks, the acclaimed singer-songwriter known for her soulful and introspective music, has released her latest single “Blades” from her upcoming second album My Soft Machine. Produced by Paul Epworth (Adele, Florence + the Machine), the track features nu-disco loops, synths, and soundscapes, showcasing a new danceable sound for Parks.

In a statement, Arlo Parks shared her inspiration for “Blades”, saying, “I wanted to make something that I can dance to, finally, because I feel like my songs don’t really have that quality in general. So, I took inspiration from bands like ESG (Emerald, Sapphire & Gold), artists like Kaytranada, and a lot of the kind of 70s Zambian psychedelic rock that I love.”

The song’s lyrics delve into the collapse of a friendship and the struggle to rebuild it. Parks described the concept behind the song, stating, “I imagine this moment at a party where you see someone across the room that you haven’t seen in a while, you felt yourself growing apart, and you’re like, should I, should I not? And then you find the courage to approach them. That’s the story of that song.”

Watch Arlo Parks’ “Blades” video below

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“Blades” follows Parks‘ recent singles “Weightless” and “Impurities”, which have been well-received by BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music, and have garnered Parks performances on The Jonathan Ross Show and features in notable music publications.

Arlo Parks’ debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams received critical acclaim, earning her two Grammy nominations, winning the BRIT Award for Best New Artist, and being recognized as the youngest ever high-profile supporter of UNICEF and an ambassador for UK mental health charity CALM.