Arlo Parks Dances Into New Territory With Third Album Ambiguous Desire

Arlo Parks embraces dance beats and emotional depth on Ambiguous Desire, blending nostalgic rhythms with heartfelt storytelling.

Finding Sanctuary in a New Sound

If you've followed Arlo Parks' journey so far, you know she's no stranger to soulful, poetic songwriting. But with her third album, Ambiguous Desire, dropping April 3 via Transgressive, Parks invites us into a fresh sonic playground—a dancefloor sanctuary where her introspective lyricism meets propulsive beats. The 12-track record is fronted by the bass-heavy single “2SIDED,” a pulsating testament to teenage heartache and the anxiety of unrequited love.

“It was a rough animal at first. I thought, how do I slightly tame this to make it not absolutely obliterating on the ears? But I think it was important for it to feel slightly looming. There’s something a bit foreboding about it, but in a way that then explodes into this more euphoric, heart-on-sleeve feeling of being a teenager and how those first feelings rip you apart. You do feel like it’s the end of the world, in a kind of beautiful way.” — Arlo Parks

The single’s video, crafted by director Molly Burdett, perfectly captures this emotional push and pull. You can watch it online and get that immediate rush of both tension and release that mirrors the song’s heartbeat.

Embracing Electronic and Dance Roots

While Arlo’s earlier records flirted with electronic textures, Ambiguous Desire is her boldest step yet into dance and electronic realms. This expansion owes much to her collaboration with bandmate and Brockhampton/Kevin Abstract producer Baird, who supported her during intimate shows last year in London, New York, and Los Angeles.

Three standout tracks—“Get Go,” “Nightswimming,” and “What if I Say It?”—were produced alongside long-time collaborator Paul Epworth, adding another layer of polish and emotional gravity.

Parks describes the album’s creation as a process of "happy accidents" in Ableton, a patient sculpting of beats between 100 and 120 BPM that balances warmth with a nostalgic edge. She cites UK electronic pioneers like Underworld, Massive Attack, and Burial as key influences, revealing how she and Baird dissected and reassembled the genre’s elements to evoke both uniqueness and familiarity.

A Homegrown Creative Energy

Aside from sonic evolution, Ambiguous Desire channels personal growth. Parks opens up about how cohabiting with a partner—sharing books, movies, and creative rituals—fueled her artistry in unexpected ways.

“Being in the same household — accumulating books, watching films together, being steeped in each other’s art and also having our individual practices — gave me more space to just play. It was inspiring in a profound way on like 10 different levels, which is really special. I haven’t really had that before — creating a home with somebody who also understands how sacred home is.”

This intimate setting allowed Parks to explore the balance of deep love, vulnerability, and her signature emotional honesty.

Album Highlights: From “Blue Disco” to “Senses”

Right from the get-go, the opener “Blue Disco” nods to legendary figures like Goldie and Prince, setting a dancefloor mood with a soulful twist. Another gem, “Beams,” layers breakbeats beneath vulnerable lyrics, while the duet “Senses” featuring Sampha transports listeners into a deeply personal space.

Parks shares a glimpse into the collaboration with Sampha:

“I listened to him freestyle for hours and hours and hours over the track. He had scribbled down some poetry and was finding the shape of it, and I was just in awe of that process. We were watching some crazy Afro-futurist film with the sound off. It made for a very spiritual afternoon.”

Ready to Return to the Stage

After the success of 2023’s My Soft Machine—which cracked the UK top 10 and included the beloved Phoebe Bridgers collab “Pegasus”—Parks is eager to bring her new songs to life live. Having been off the touring circuit since fall 2024, the London-born, LA-based artist is chomping at the bit to reconnect with fans.

“Honestly, I’ve been in my little cave for so long. I’m ready to pop out.”

Fans who have seen her open for Billie Eilish or Harry Styles know the intimate magic she brings to the stage—something you’ll want to catch when she kicks off shows in support of Ambiguous Desire.

Tracklist for Ambiguous Desire:

- Blue Disco
- Jetta
- Get Go
- Senses (feat. Sampha)
- Heaven
- Beams
- South Seconds
- Nightswimming
- 2SIDED
- Luck of Life
- What if I Say It?
- Floette

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just diving into her evolving sound, Ambiguous Desire delivers a compelling blend of dance energy and heartfelt lyricism that feels both fresh and timeless.

FAQ

• What new sound direction does Arlo Parks explore on Ambiguous Desire?
  She leans fully into electronic and dance beats, inspired by UK pioneers like Underworld and Massive Attack.
• Who are some notable collaborators on the album?
  Producer Baird from Brockhampton and Kevin Abstract fame, longtime producer Paul Epworth, and guest vocalist Sampha.
• What themes does the album touch on?
  It balances themes of sexuality, gender, depression with love, cohabitation, and emotional growth.
• When was Ambiguous Desire released?
  The album was released on April 3.
• Has Arlo Parks toured recently?
  She has not toured since fall 2024 but plans to hit the road again to support the new album.

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