Tom Talks #3: Arlo Parks-Collapsed In Sunbeams
She has since risen to stardom with several fantastic singles released over 2020 in promotion of this album, leading to an AIM award for One to Watch and recently appearing on the Jools Holland show, which she described as a lifelong dream. With this album reaching number three in the charts, her message is getting across to the general public and for once I think they've got it right.
The album starts with the title track, a poem with a tranquil beat, discussing a day with her partner and how they can be hard on themselves. It's a short, but sweet start to the album and gives us an insight into the topics of this body of work: relationships and insecurities. (this would actually be a good name for the album.)
'Hurt' which was a prior single, talks about depression and the never-ending feeling that it won't go away. Arlo kills it with her effortless delivery of lines like, "Won't hurt so much forever," over a chilled guitar-drum production, perfectly encapsulating what it feels like to suffer from mental health issues and that recovery is possible. This is such a powerful message that shows how far the mental-health discussion has come and will be important for people to hear and relate to in the general populace.
We then get a switch to a relationship focused track on 'Too Good,' with a more funkier instrumental over the discussion of a partner not being themselves. She is trying to help this partner, as they are not the person Arlo wants them to be, throwing doubt over the sustainability of this relationship. You can feel the frustration in Parks's voice, showing she knows the true personality of her partner, but insecurities are stopping this person from acting their normal self.
Arlo then goes back to combatting mental health, with the new single 'Hope,’ that has a piano driven beat that meshes well with the discussion of someone who is feeling alone and doesn't want to reveal their emotions. You really get the feeling that Arlo wants to help those in a rut and really gets across that desire to help, with the words, "You're not alone, like you think you are," and "We all have scars, I know it's hard." As someone who has suffered with depression, this is a really powerful communication of a widespread problem in society. Whether music helps you or not, more art like this will get people out of that dark place and on the step to recovery.
The next track I found really interesting, with the topic of 'Caroline,' being a couple arguing that Arlo saw from a distance. The melancholic beat created by a mix of subtle guitar licks and drum patterns, really highlights the relationship crumbling, with the man trying to understand why the woman is the way she is and her unwillingness to elaborate on her issues. It's a nice break from the more personal stuff and shows the versality of Parks' songwriting.
I have already talked about 'Black Dog' in detail on my top 50 songs of 2020 list, but it still remains as powerful and emotional in 2021. The lightly strummed guitar, mixed with a piano creates a melancholic mood, that Arlo uses to emphasise the unhappiness her friend feels, as she try's to help them. "It's so cruel what your mind can do for no reason," is such a relatable lyric, reminding me of how damaging your thoughts are to one's overall mood. Dammit Arlo you hit me right in the feels, but once again, you have shown that people need to understand this topic better and help those they love and care about.
The second half of the album gets more upbeat in production, kicking things off with 'Green Eyes' which tackles similar themes to the title track. This goes into much more detail of why they are not behaving themselves, with parental disapproval and public pressure making the partner not comfortable to show their feelings for her. The line "You got to trust what you feel inside," is very important for showing that LGBTQ+ couples like Arlo and her partner here, deserve to be able to express themselves and that public and personal pressures stop this from happening. Homophobia is a massive problem in modern society and this track is a big F U to the bigots and a plea to those who feel insecure in their sexuality to be themselves.
'Just Go' is the most positive you will hear Arlo on this album, (it's not a happy track though) with a jazzier production to accommodate her rejecting a previous partner. This is Arlo at her most confident, showing that they may need her, but she does not need them.
This happiness in oneself does not last long, as 'For Violet' comes with a haunting beat to match her tale of a friend who wants to escape their current life. This may be my fave track on the album, as she try's to save a friend from a toxic relationship with their dad, stating how college will start again soon and they can escape. But damn this song hit me when Arlo exclaims during the chorus, "It feels like nothing's changing and I can't do this." I don't know when this song was written, but this may sum up the feeling of limbo I felt during lockdown and many others felt as well. This track means so many things to so many people, highlighting why it's my standout track from this debut project.
We saw a more sassy side on 'Eugene' the last of the singles on the track list, telling the story of falling for her best friend, but being frustrated by this friend being in a relationship with the title's character. The sarcasm of this track and bitterness towards 'Eugene' with lines like "You play him record's I show you," indicate her annoyance of this man's existence. "I hate that son of a bitch" perfectly describes her feelings in the most expletive way possible and is a great tale of forbidden love and being frustrated that you did not get their first.
'Bluish' is probably the only disappointing track on this project, despite some interesting ideas like the radio like vocals at the start and radio beeps in the production. She again details wanting space from a partner, but I feel like this topic has been done better on other cuts from this project. Fortunately it's the only downer on this project. (in terms of song quality at least.)
The album concludes with 'Porta 400' which feels like an end credits to this wonderful album. The hip-hop inspired production is a nice change of pace with Arlo being happy in her relationship, yet not in her self, feeling like she has to change things, like her hair to keep them happy. "Making rainbows out of something painful," feels like a perfect metaphor for wanting to stay in a relationship, believing it will keep them happy, but deep down being unhappy with oneself. She knows that she needs to love herself as much as him, a positive message that was done on The Streets 'I Wish You Loved You As Much As You Loved Him,' but here in a more complex and descriptive way.
This album is not perfect with that one track not being up to snuff and some tracks mirroring one another, but these are minor quarrels with a truly great album. Arlo showed so much maturity and understanding for the human consciousness for a twenty year old and has made an album that most wouldn't get near to on their 5th project, let alone their debut. This may already be a contender for album of the year and I cannot wait to hear more from Arlo Parks in the future.
9/10
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