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Eugene
R&B / Soul · 2020

Eugene

Arlo Parks

Intimate bedroom soul exploring the sting of unrequited queer longing. Minimalist jazz guitars and whispered vocals create a space of profound, quiet vulnerability.

February 11, 2020 · Transgressive Records

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Eugene is a masterclass in the 'whispered secret' aesthetic that Arlo Parks has perfected. It sounds like a confession made in the dead of night, where the air is thick with things left unsaid. The production is remarkably dry and close, making it feel as though Parks is sitting right next to you, recounting a specific, painful memory of jealousy and unrequited love. The instrumentation is sparse, relying on a warm, jazzy electric guitar loop and a steady, muted drum beat that provides a heartbeat-like pulse to the narrative.

Moments Worth Listening For
the specific mention of reading sylvia plath and the visceral reaction to seeing a friends boyfriend
the way the bass line carries the melody during the bridge while the guitar stays static
the breathy intake of air before the final chorus emphasizing the intimacy of the recording
Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does Eugene sound next to the rest of Arlo Parks's catalogue?

Friendship+2.0σ

The writing leans far further into friendship than the rest of the catalogue.

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