Following Arlo Parks' book release and Tiny Desk Concert, she shares new single ‘Jasmine’ + announces a deluxe version of ‘My Soft Machine’
After the release of her debut book ‘The Magic Border’ and her recent NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert, Arlo Parks is sharing her new single ‘Jasmine’ with us today. Lucky for us, the good news does not stop there – Arlo has also announced a deluxe version of her praised second album My Soft Machine, due on the 8th of December.
My Soft Machine (Deluxe) will feature six new recordings, including a new version of ‘I’m Sorry’ (featuring Congolese-Belgian singer/rapper Lous and The Yakuza), ‘Blades’ (with bars from US hip-hop upstart redveil), a cover of Tirzah’s hit ‘Holding On’ and acoustic versions of album favourites ‘Devotion’ and ‘Pegasus’.
‘Jasmine’, her evocative cover of Jai Paul, also appears on the deluxe version.
Receiving Jai Paul's blessing to create this cover with Dave Okumu was one of the highlights of my creative journey so far
Arlo Parks
Produced by labelmate Dave Okumu, ‘Jasmine’ received Jai Paul’s personal stamp of approval. Speaking about what the track means to her, Arlo explains:
“‘Jasmine’ has always moved me deeply – to me it’s this shadowy, timeless and incredibly profound love song. I really wanted to draw out the yearning of the lyrics and pay homage to an artist who has had a seismic impact on me and on culture. Receiving Jai Paul’s blessing to create this cover with Dave Okumu was one of the highlights of my creative journey so far”.
Watch the music video for ‘Jasmine’ here:
In September, Parks published her debut book ‘The Magic Border’ via HarperCollins Publishing. The book includes exclusive poetry, song lyrics and beautiful, intimate images from photographer Daniyel Lowden.
Featuring twenty original poems, an exclusive artist’s statement and the complete lyrics from her second album My Soft Machine, the collection explores the queer experience, blackness, grief, trauma and love through the eyes of the remarkable young musician.
‘The Magic Border’ allows readers rare insight into her creative process and beautifully showcases the full breadth of Arlo’s remarkable artistry. You can purchase the book HERE:
On the 1st of November, Arlo Parks realised a long-lived dreams of hers – performing at NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert. She opened her set with ‘Blades’ from her second album My Soft Machine and continued with reading excerpts from her book ‘The Magic Border’.
Back in 2020, during the pandemic, Arlo Parks recorded an at-home session for Tiny Desk Concert accompanying herself only with a guitar. This time, Parks performed an in-person session with a full band, all dressed in vibrant colours and makeup.
Parks’ session also included ‘Eugene’ and the queer love song ‘Pegasus’. She closed the set with the lead single from My Soft Machine, ‘Impurities’. Parks’ expressed her joy of finally being part of the in-person NPR Tiny Desk Concerts: “This session is generally one of the reasons that I decided to make music and I grew up with this session, so it’s really special to be here”.
Watch the full Tiny Desk session here:
Until we get to savour Arlo Park’s new deluxe version of My Soft Machine on December 8th, you can give her mesmerising cover of ‘Jasmine’ a listen below.
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