let’s face it, i’m a a hip hop head through and through. sure i’ve dabbled in most other genres, but indie pop is about as far from my wheelhouse as you can get. that’s why it holds a lot of weight when i say this is definitively one of the best albums to come out this year so far. ‘My Soft Machine’, Arlo Parks’s follow up to the 2021 project ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams’, takes you on her journey through the sun-kissed highs and gloomy lows of life.

standout tracks: Puppy, Purple Phase, Ghost, Impurities

right off the rip, this album manages something that few artists are capable of. in just the first 4 tracks Parks, alongside producer Paul Epworth, squeezed in an array of influences, from dream pop to punk, indie to hip hop and everything in between. the final track is a perfect example of this dichotomy. leading in with this dilla-inspired drum break, the production sounds like something lo-fi girl would be bumping, not an indie pop track. or take track 2, ‘Impurities’: the production is heavily reminiscent of a song from one of my favorite bands, Little Dragon. the surf guitar sets you in a trance that feels like a sun-kissed snooze on the summer waves. meanwhile Arlo carries this light, poppy feel to her vocals, sending this warm energy forward that wakes you with each bar. right up until the whole tune flips and this killer riff kicks in.

and yet the two somehow manage to balance all these sounds within the same space, leading to this collage of styles that pans out to reveal a beautiful mosaic of musical vision. sometimes there’s a tangible energy to the songs. most times, it’s a simple relaxing vibe. but no matter what, you’re never confused about where you are and who you’re with. this is Arlo Parks’s sound. this is Arlo Parks’s story. this is Arlo Parks’s journey and you’re in the passenger seat along for the ride. and what a ride. the track ‘Dog Rose’ encapsulates the entirety of this album into one song best. right off the bat i fell in love with the soundscape. coming with a blend of tones heavily reminiscent of Santigold’s debut classic, Epworth gave the perfect canvas for Arlo to go to work, and she proved to the world she’s a killer.

in all honesty there’s barely anything to dislike on this album. i struggled heavily to come up with flaws, but alas, they do exist. although the genre is technically indie pop at times the songs can feel a little too “poppy” sometimes. tracks like ‘Weightless’ are missing some of the character that really makes this project unique. the song isn’t bad per se, but it just isn’t very interesting. nothing about it sounds unique to Arlo, the chorus is bland, and you could drop any airy voiced indie pop singer and it wouldn’t shake things up a bit. a lone misstep on what is otherwise a fantastic album. but even the missteps have to be taken with a grain of salt. after all, ‘Weightless’ also happens to be the most popular song on the album, so i guess it works for some folks shrug

final verdict: dig this - Arlo Parks dropped an album that’ll have the hardest mf you know bumping their head and cheesing in the summer sun. this project is a can’t miss