Article files

Article files are far simpler than review files, though still have enough of their own quirks need documentation.

---
created: 2021-02-15T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2021-02-15T12:00:00.000Z
slug: descriptive-url-slug-with-words-separated-by-dashes
type: articles
tags:                                                          # Optional. Specify as one per line or ["in", "an", "array"] format
  - cosmo sheldrake
  - electronic
  - avant garde
featuredimage: article-images/cosmo-sheldrake-portrait.jpg     # Relates to a path from the ./data/images directory
featuredimageAlt: Description of the featured image
title: Lorem ipsum dolor                                       # Super catchy title in sentence case
author: andrew-bridge                                          # Relates to an author file in ./data/authors directory  
summary: Lorem ipsum dolor                                     # Appears as a standfirst beneath the main title
blurb: Lorem ipsum dolor                                       # SEO meta description, ideally around 140 characters

---

# Below is an optional full-blown featured image

<figure class="wide">
  <img src="album-artwork/wake-up-calls-cosmo-sheldrake.jpg" alt="Album artwork of 'Wake Up Calls' by Cosmo Sheldrake" />
  <figcaption>Album artwork by <a href="https://www.florawallace.com/illustrations">Flora Wallace</a></figcaption>
</figure>

Signing to a major label, playing Glastonbury, making the cover of the _NME_, and releasing an album to wide critical acclaim are the goals of an entire career for many. For Arlo Parks, it’s what she’s achieved in the first three years of hers. _Collapsed in Sunbeams_ has received a wealth of positive attention, and I find myself returning to this debut over and again. A month on from its release it’s easy to see why.

A cool nonchalance characterises the album from top to bottom. Parks delivers vocals with a laid back confidence which is immediately moreish. Instrumentation follows her lead, layering easy-going beats and basslines alongside simmering horns and guitar that varies from bright and brazen to light and delicate. In “Black Dog”, Parks cites [Radiohead](/articles/ranking-radioheads-discography/)’s _In Rainbows_ as a musical influence, while elsewhere tracks take inspiration from Motown and The Supremes. It makes for a memorable tracklist that remains cohesive despite this melting pot of influences.

Poetry and spoken word weave throughout _Collapsed in Sunbeams_, with the opening moments made up of a spoken-word piece Parks recorded in her bedroom. This lean on poetry, combined with the personal experience drawn on in every track, makes for intimate, reflective passages throughout. In “Hope”, the pace is broken towards the end with words that distil the sense of isolation and loneliness the track deals with, finally offering “know that I know and you’re not alone.’ It elevates the track and makes for a favourite of mine from the record.

# Example of our YouTube embed container, using just the unique id rather than the full embed frame

<youtube-video video-id="8d-blfWHSng" desc="Arlo Parks: Hope" />

In listening longer to _Collapsed in Sunbeams_ one could draw comparisons to Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, and [Lianne La Havas](/reviews/lianne-la-havas-lianne-la-havas/). Each had standout debut albums, each with a distinctive sound and a string of excellent music that came after it. It’s exciting to think we may have another artist with such a career going into the 2020s and I’ll be interested to see the next steps Arlo Parks takes following this debut success