Arlo Parks Delivers a Gentle Breakup on “Softly”
Sam Plascencia
21-year-old Arlo Parks releases her first single of the year, “Softly.” The British singer-songwriter is celebrated for a discography packed with vivid imagery and universal feelings. In this new release, poppy and upbeat sounds flow seamlessly with her delicate vocals.
Photo by Lillie Eiger
Ethereal and moody, “Softly” encompasses the fragile feeling of facing those last days of a dwindling relationship. Parks shares, “The song is about how it feels to brace yourself before the blow of a break-up and reminisce about the days where it all felt luminous.”
Directors Zhang and Knight were drawn to the hazy nostalgia of the 1960s in the making of the music video. Parks is shown experiencing the ever-changing city surrounding her all while reminiscing the past. The warm tones and layers of wistfulness within the video make “Softly” shine.
Parks will be heading on tour with Clairo across North America beginning in early February and ending the journey with Coachella in April. She will also join Harry Styles for his show in Dublin on June 22 and Billie Eilish in London on June 25.
