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My Soft Machine

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My Soft Machine
Studio album by
Arlo Parks
Released26 May 2023 (2023-05-26)
Length40:41
LabelTransgressive
Producer
Arlo Parks chronology
Collapsed in Sunbeams
(2021) 		My Soft Machine
(2023)
Singles from My Soft Machine
  1. "Weightless"
    Released: 18 January 2023
  2. "Impurities"
    Released: 1 March 2023
  3. "Blades"
    Released: 19 April 2023
  4. "Pegasus"
    Released: 10 May 2023
  5. "Devotion"
    Released: 24 May 2023

My Soft Machine is the second studio album by British singer-songwriter Arlo Parks, released via Transgressive Records on 26 May 2023.[1] It was preceded by the singles "Weightless",[2] "Impurities"[3] "Blades",[4] and "Pegasus", a collaboration with Phoebe Bridgers.[5] Parks toured throughout 2023 in support of the album.[6]

Background and recording

[edit]

Parks described the album as a "deeply personal body of work" about "navigating life in her 20s", particularly "the mid-20s anxiety, the substance abuse of friends around [her], the viscera of being in love for the first time, navigating P.T.S.D. and grief and self-sabotage and joy".[2] She also noted that it was "far more collaborative" than her first album, as she "worked with a lot of people in different parts of the world" and that it "felt like [she] was facing outwards a lot more". The album's sound was influenced by the bands My Bloody Valentine and Fontaines D.C., with Parks noting the latter's 2022 album Skinty Fia as having a significant impact upon its sound.[7]

Parks began writing the album before releasing Collapsed in Sunbeams (2021), and it was recorded over 18 months in "sporadic bursts" between her touring commitments. She worked with various collaborators, including Paul Epworth, Ariel Rechtshaid, Buddy Ross and Romil Hemnani of Brockhampton. The title comes from a line in the 2019 drama film The Souvenir.[8]

Release

[edit]

On 18 January 2023, Parks announced her second studio album, My Soft Machine, alongside the album's lead single "Weightless", alongside a music video.[9] She also announced a European tour, beginning on 5 September 2023 in Dublin and ending on 21 September 2023 in Paris. Parks released the album's second single "Impurities" alongside a music video on 1 March 2023.[10] The album's third single, "Blades", was released on 19 April 2023 alongside a music video.[11] The album's fourth single, "Pegasus", featuring American singer Phoebe Bridgers was released on 10 May 2023, alongside a music video.[12] Parks released the album's fifth single, "Devotion" on 24 May 2023 alongside a music video.[13] On 26 September 2023, Parks released a music video for "Purple Phase" along with a North American My Soft Machine Tour. The tour begins on 29 February 2024 in San Diego and ends on 2 April 2024 in Brooklyn.[14]

On 7 November 2023, Parks released the lead single for the deluxe edition of the album, "Jasmine", a cover of the Jai Paul song.[15] Parks released the second single of the deluxe edition, a remix of "I'm Sorry" featuring Lous and the Yakuza on 6 December 2023.[16] The deluxe edition of the album was released on 8 December 2023.[17]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.2/10[18]
Metacritic75/100[19]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[20]
The Arts Desk[21]
Dork[22]
Evening Standard[23]
Exclaim!7/10[24]
Gigwise[25]
musicOMH[26]
Pitchfork6.9/10[27]
PopMatters6/10[28]
The Skinny[29]

My Soft Machine received a score of 75 out of 100 at review aggregator Metacritic based on fifteen critics' reviews, indicating a "generally favorable" reception.[19] In a five-star review, Jamie MacMillan of Dork called My Soft Machine "as close to perfection as it gets" and a "mark of how good this album is that it is hard to pick a standout moment", although highlighting "Pegasus" for being "an exquisite mash-up" of two artists and "Dog Rose" as it "soars into the heavens".[22] Jamie MacMillan of Gigwise described the album as "soothing"—to "soothe your anxieties, soothe your heartache and soothe your grief. Parks is living these experiences and offering a warm cup of empathy to anyone going through similar", calling it "somehow all so uplifting".[25] David Smyth of the Evening Standard remarked that "for the most part My Soft Machine sounds remarkably happy" and "summery and soothing", opining that Parks "pushes her sound in a few new directions with considerable success".[23]

Cheri Amour of The Arts Desk commented that the tracks "Weightless" and "Impurities" have a "feeling of lessening and cleansing", as well as a "lounge-like quality", which continues "Pegasus". Amour also dubbed it "Peak Parks" and remarked "what a joy that is to have her back".[21] Vijai Kumar Singh of Exclaim! wrote that the album "offers a peaceful and meditative reflection on a stagnant relationship and the journey to find wholeness", with the "latter half of the album continu[ing] to feature strong songwriting", calling "Pegasus" with Bridgers "arguably the best song on the album".[24]

John Murphy of musicOMH summarised the album as a set of "low-key, introspective songs that would also sound perfect on a summer's day" with "some surprises to be had"—the spoken-word introduction "Bruiseless" and the "hard-rock guitar towards the end" of "Devotion". Murphy opined that while its lyrics "celebrate happiness and stability, there are some darker moments too", like the topic of addiction on "Purple Phase" and burnout on "I'm Sorry".[26] Jack Faulds of The Skinny noted that there are "no overt leaps or shifts in the development of Parks' sound" from her debut. However, found there to be "unbridled confidence and general badassery" on the tracks "Weightless" and "Puppy" and "admirable gratitude for life in the face of some of its greatest challenges".[29]

Laura Snapes, writing for Pitchfork, felt that the album's "sharp writing is often blunted by its temperate sound", as there are "adrenaline spikes of desire [that] are often muted by hazy, Vaseline-coated arrangements" and the "few deviations from the dreamy production are hit and miss".[27] Reviewing the album for PopMatters, John Amen called the album "over reliant on predictable sonics and vague melodies" and lacking the "textures that informed Sunbeams' multifaceted aesthetic", concluding that it "unfolds respectably, proficiently, even likably, yet not particularly memorably".[28]

In June 2023, Alternative Press published an unranked list of the top 25 albums of the year. It included the album, calling it "a bouncier, poppier take on [Parks's] award-winning poetic lyricism and intimate storytelling".[30]

Year-end lists

[edit]
Critics' rankings for My Soft Machine
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
AllMusic Best Albums of 2023 —
[31]
Billboard Best Albums of 2023 42
[32]
Esquire 20 Best Albums of 2023 18
[33]
Rolling Stone The 100 Best Albums of 2023 100
[34]
Under the Radar Top 100 Albums of 2023 71
[35]
Uproxx The Best Albums of 2023 —
[36]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Anaïs Marinho.

My Soft Machine track listing
No.TitleMusicProducer(s)Length
1."Bruiseless"Anaïs MarinhoMarinho1:11
2."Impurities"
  • Hug
  • Hemnani
  • Lang[a]
3:49
3."Devotion"
  • Baird
  • Hemnani
  • Epworth[a]
2:45
4."Blades"
  • Marinho
  • Epworth
Epworth3:41
5."Purple Phase"
  • Marinho
  • Epworth
Epworth4:24
6."Weightless"
  • Marinho
  • Epworth
Epworth4:02
7."Pegasus" (featuring Phoebe Bridgers)
  • Marinho
  • Baird
  • Epworth
  • Hemnani
  • Baird
  • Hemnani
  • Epworth[a]
3:06
8."Dog Rose"Marinho
  • Marinho
  • Baird
  • Epworth[a]
3:08
9."Puppy"
  • Rechtshaid
  • Ross
3:13
10."I'm Sorry"
  • Marinho
  • Rechtshaid
  • Ross
  • Rechtshaid
  • Ross
3:07
11."Room (Red Wings)"
  • Marinho
  • Dom Maker
  • Ross
  • Marinho
  • Ross
4:28
12."Ghost"
  • Marinho
  • Epworth
  • Marinho
  • Epworth[a]
3:47
Total length:40:41
Apple Music edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."Mystery of Love"3:39
14."Blades" (acoustic)3:24
15."Dog Rose" (acoustic)2:31
Total length:50:15
Deluxe edition: disc two
No.TitleMusicProducer(s)Length
1."Jasmine"Jai PaulDave Okumu3:39
2."I'm Sorry" (featuring Lous and the Yakuza)
  • Rechtshaid
  • Ross
3:07
3."Blades" (featuring Redveil)
Epworth3:41
4."Devotion" (acoustic)
  • Marinho
  • Baird
  • Epworth
  • Hemnani
  • Marinho
  • Baird
2:41
5."Pegasus" (acoustic)
  • Marinho
  • Baird
  • Epworth
  • Hemnani
  • Marinho
  • Baird
3:00
6."Holding On"Marinho
2:48
Total length:59:46

Note

  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for My Soft Machine
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[37] 68
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[38] 46
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[39] 167
French Albums (SNEP)[40] 180
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[41] 23
Scottish Albums (OCC)[42] 5
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] 69
UK Albums (OCC)[44] 9
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[45] 1

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Renshaw, David (18 January 2023). "Arlo Parks announces second album My Soft Machine". The Fader. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b Kress, Bryan (18 January 2023). "Arlo Parks Announces New Album My Soft Machine, Shares "Weightless": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  3. ^ Gonzalez, Alex (1 March 2023). "Arlo Parks Learns To Celebrate Her 'Impurities' On Her Latest My Soft Machine Single". Uproxx. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  4. ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (19 April 2023). "Arlo Parks has dropped 'Blades', another taster of new album My Soft Machine". Dork. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  5. ^ Duran, Anagricel (11 May 2023). "Arlo Parks teams up with Phoebe Bridgers for new single "Pegasus"". NME. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  6. ^ Strauss, Matthew (18 January 2023). "Arlo Parks Announces Album and European Tour Dates, Shares Video for New Song "Weightless": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  7. ^ Geraghty, Hollie (27 March 2023). "Arlo Parks says new album is influenced by My Bloody Valentine and Fontaines D.C." NME. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  8. ^ Spanos, Brittany (18 January 2023). "Arlo Parks Lets the World in on Her 'Joy and Pain and Confusion'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  9. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (18 January 2023). "Arlo Parks Shares New Song "Weightless": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  10. ^ Geraghty, Hollie (2 March 2023). "Arlo Parks shares ambient new single 'Impurities'". NME. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  11. ^ Renshaw, David (19 April 2023). "Arlo Parks shares "Blades," a funky song about building bridges". The FADER. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  12. ^ Strauss, Matthew (10 May 2023). "Arlo Parks and Phoebe Bridgers Share Video for New Song "Pegasus"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  13. ^ Zemler, Emily (25 May 2023). "Arlo Parks Pays Tribute to '90s Rock in 'Devotion' Music Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  14. ^ Helfand, Raphael (26 September 2023). "Arlo Parks announces 2024 North American tour, shares "Purple Phase" video". The Fader. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  15. ^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (8 November 2023). "Arlo Parks shares a cover of Jai Paul's "Jasmine" and announces forthcoming deluxe album". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Arlo Parks shares a track from the upcoming digital deluxe of My Soft Machine". Transgressive. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  17. ^ Murray, Robin (8 December 2023). "Arlo Parks Share 'My Soft Machine (Deluxe Edition)'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  18. ^ "My Soft Machine by Arlo Parks reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  19. ^ a b "My Soft Machine by Arlo Parks Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  20. ^ Simpson, Paul (26 May 2023). "My Soft Machine - Arlo Parks". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  21. ^ a b Amour, Cheri (25 May 2023). "Album: Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine review – The Mercury Prize-winning songwriter bares her softer side". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  22. ^ a b MacMillan, Jamie (24 May 2023). "Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine". Dork. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  23. ^ a b Smyth, David (25 May 2023). "Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine album review: the Mercury Prize winner pushes her sound in new directions". Evening Standard. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  24. ^ a b Singh, Vijai Kumar (24 May 2023). "Arlo Parks Doesn't Turn from the Pain on My Soft Machine". Exclaim!. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  25. ^ a b McLister, Matthew (24 May 2023). "Album Review: Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine". Gigwise. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  26. ^ a b Murphy, John (23 May 2023). "Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine | Album Reviews". musicOMH. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  27. ^ a b Snapes, Laura (29 May 2023). "Arlo Parks: My Soft Machine Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  28. ^ a b Amen, John (23 May 2023). "Arlo Parks Navigates Sophomore Slump in My Soft Machine". PopMatters. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  29. ^ a b Faulds, Jack (22 May 2023). "Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine album review". The Skinny. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  30. ^ "25 best albums of 2023 so far". Alternative Press. 23 June 2023. ISSN 1065-1667. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  31. ^ "AllMusic Best of 2023 | AllMusic 2023 in Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  32. ^ Mims, Taylor (6 December 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023: Staff List". Billboard. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  33. ^ "The 20 Best Albums of 2023". Esquire. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  34. ^ "The 100 Best Albums of 2023". Rolling Stone. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  35. ^ Redfern, Mark. "Under the Radar's Top 100 Albums of 2023". Under the Radar. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  36. ^ "These Are the Best Albums of 2023". Uproxx. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  37. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 5 June 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1735. Australian Recording Industry Association. 5 June 2023. p. 6.
  38. ^ "Ultratop.be – Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  39. ^ "Ultratop.be – Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  40. ^ "Lescharts.com – Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  41. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  42. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  43. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Arlo Parks – My Soft Machine". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  44. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  45. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
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