The Magic Border by Arlo Parks
Singer-songwriter Arlo Parks' first book interweaves lyrics with original poetry in a gorgeous exploration of Black queerness
Arlo Parks has had a whirlwind few years. In 2021, she won the Mercury Prize for her debut album which also earned her two Grammy nominations. The singer-songwriter’s first book interweaves the lyrics from her follow-up record My Song Machine with original poetry, culminating in a collection that showcases an attunement to life and to oneself far beyond her 23 years.
The Magic Border is a snapshot of an artist and their scene. By her own admission, songwriting is for processing and containing her world and poetry is for exploring that world’s potential. It is a world in which its narrator has felt othered, loved, embraced and embarrassed all in the same breath.
At just 80 pages and with a structure that jumps between the songs, photographs and new writing, it evokes the experience of scanning an LP’s cover art. The photos show Parks at home with partner Ashnikko, not the only notable face to be casually thrown in.
Judging by Arlo Parks' career trajectory to date, this is sure to become a collectors’ item for having captured a moment in musical history. Only time can attest to an artist’s lasting impact but what is already clear is that inside this particular magic border is a celebration of queerness, Blackness, friendship, and the language we use to make sense of it all.