Arlo Parks Embraces Hedonistic Nightlife on New Album 'Ambiguous Desire'
In her teenage years, Arlo Parks missed out on the quintessential party phase that many experience, as she was busy securing a record deal and releasing her debut album, Collapsed in Sunbeams, shortly after turning 20. Now, at 25, the Mercury Prize-winning musician has fully immersed herself in club culture, channeling this newfound passion into her third album, Ambiguous Desire. Speaking from her home in Los Angeles, where she has resided since 2022, Parks reflects on her journey, noting that she "almost didn't have time to think about" clubbing earlier in life but now feels she has "missed out" on those late-night experiences.
A Musical Evolution from Alt-Pop to Dance
Born Anaïs Marinho, Parks first gained attention in 2018 with a confessional alt-pop style influenced by artists like Nick Cave and Erykah Badu. Her early work, crafted using GarageBand, resonated deeply with fans, earning her the label "voice of a generation." However, the pressures of fame, including overwhelming fan interactions and a demanding tour schedule, led to a period of burnout in 2022. Following this, she released My Soft Machine in 2023, a rockier album that achieved Top 10 status but was created in "snatched moments" between commitments.
In contrast, Ambiguous Desire represents a deliberate shift, born from two years of dedicated exploration with producer Baird. The album fuses house, techno, and UK garage with Parks's ethereal vocals, moving away from her guitar-driven roots. Parks emphasizes that this evolution was not a conscious decision but a natural outcome of her lifestyle in the United States, where she spent time between the west and east coasts, falling in love and frequenting clubs like Basement and Nowadays in Queens.
Inspired by Club Culture and Queer History
Parks delved into the history of New York's nightlife, drawing inspiration from iconic venues such as Paradise Garage and Studio 54. She also read McKenzie Wark's book Raving, which explores the communal excitement of club-going. For Parks, this album is about "living her life" and embracing spontaneity after years of rigid touring schedules. Tracks like Jetta and Heaven capture the ecstasy of all-night parties and the transition into daylight, reflecting her personal experiences and newfound freedom.
The album also celebrates queer identity, with Parks highlighting how clubs have historically provided refuge for outsiders. Songs like 2SIDED explore themes of yearning and desire, blending steamy synth arrangements with her signature candour. Collaborations with artists like Sampha add depth, as seen on Senses, where their harmonies create a blissful yet introspective sound.
Reclaiming Independence and Artistic Identity
Parks is keen to stress that this musical shift is not a "costume" but an authentic embodiment of her current self. She has moved past the parasocial obligations of her early career, now focusing on creating music that offers hope and release to fans. Ambiguous Desire is set for release on April 3 via Transgressive, marking a bold new chapter in Parks's career as she continues to evolve both personally and artistically.
