Arlo Parks: From Indie Darling to Dancefloor Devotee – New Album & Burnout Recovery
Until recently, Arlo Parks hadn’t fully experienced the world of clubbing. The lack of a traditional “party phase” makes sense given her trajectory: signing a record deal and releasing her debut album, , shortly after her 20th birthday. “It’s something that I almost didn’t have time to reckon about,” she explained, speaking from Los Angeles, where she’s resided since . “But I definitely did come to the conclusion that I had missed out – I hadn’t really had the time to be silly and have crazy, deep conversations in the smoking area. To be in an anonymous space and sense like you’re part of this whole.”
Now , Parks has embraced that experience with her third album, Ambiguous Desire – a celebration of nightlife, blending elements of house, techno, and UK garage with her signature vocals. Whereas guitars haven’t disappeared entirely, it’s a departure from the sound of her debut. Parks, born Anaïs Marinho, first gained attention in with her song “Cola,” honing her craft via GarageBand after finishing sixth form. She quickly signed with an agent and then Transgressive Records, fueled by youthful confidence. Her songs, often referencing cultural touchstones (“You do your eyes like Robert Smith,” from “Black Dog”), didn’t shy away from themes of mental health, romantic rejection, or substance use.
Parks was quickly labeled the voice of a generation, with fans sharing deeply personal responses to her music online. She acknowledged the weight of this connection, and the need to maintain a sense of independence. She gained acclaim during the pandemic, winning the Mercury Prize shortly after lockdowns ended. She described the experience as “like a dream.” In , she supported Harry Styles and Billie Eilish on tour, leading to a period of burnout.
Her second album, My Soft Machine, arrived in , to less critical acclaim, but still reached the Top 10. Parks doesn’t dismiss the album, but clarifies it was created in “snatched moments, in between touring and other things.” Ambiguous Desire, however, was developed with a more focused approach, created in collaboration with her friend and producer Baird, over a two-year period. The pair spent time going to clubs and crate-digging, resulting in a wealth of material.
The shift towards dance music wasn’t intentional, but rather a reflection of her life in the United States. She described falling in love and spending time with her partner’s friends in New York, frequenting clubs like Basement and Nowadays. Parks also drew inspiration from the history of New York nightlife, referencing Paradise Garage, the Loft, and Studio 54. She also studied the operate of McKenzie Wark, whose writing explored the experience of going to clubs.
The album is deeply personal, inspired by a recent relationship. “I was falling in love with somebody,” she said, “and hanging out with her friends and some of my friends as well in New York.” The single “2SIDED” captures the feeling of yearning and the courage to express one’s feelings. “I’ve been waiting for this moment all night/Yeah, I only made it out for you,” the song begins.
Parks emphasized that this album isn’t a performance, but a genuine reflection of her experiences. “I think it’s more important than ever to do good where you can, and it’s not lost on me that so much of my work and my job is giving people hope or a sliver of release or a space to just be,” she said. “It’s important to lean into that, and to realise how lucky I am to do what I do.”
Ambiguous Desire is released via Transgressive on .