If you’ve been on Spotify recently you might have come across the name Arlo Parks, who released her second EP, “Sophie,” on Nov. 29. The EP consists of five songs with two released as singles. The 19 year old London native has stepped into the spotlight with her mellow sounds and poetic, personal lyrics.

She draws her inspiration from poets like Allen Ginsberg and Sylvia Plath and fellow musicians such as Jim Morrison and Fela Kuti. She began writing poetry to express her own identity and then converted those same poems into songs.

The lyrics featured on “Sophie” reflect the poetic storytelling and capture the angsty attitudes of what she describes as the, “super sad generation.” The sound may be downtempo, but underpinning them is a sedulous sense of resilience and hope. Arlo Parks’ lofty voice coupled with a lo-fi acoustic guitar and neo-soul beats produces a unique somber and melodious tune.

Her second EP details the complexities and struggles of life as a teenager in songs like “Sophie” and “Second Guessing.” Parks’ EP is able to create a dreamy atmosphere fitting for a vinyl record played softly in a bedroom. The sound is intimate and creates what could be described as a “chill” vibe. She is also able to create a sense of nostalgia in “Angel’s Song” which is reflective of the vintage style that is making a comeback. The song also highlights the struggles of adolescent relationships and navigating the hard-hitting emotions.

Arlo Parks EP “Sophie” is a personal outpouring of her own emotions and struggles. It is an honest and reflective composition of teenage struggles. She is able to capture the teenage attitude with her lo-fi sounds and poetic lyrics. Parks’ status as an emerging artist will most likely get her recognized by an established artist, and the quality of her music is bound to get some acknowledgement. The EP is worth a listen and I would rate it a solid 8.5/10 for its ability to convey the feelings of a generation.