Synth pop band Parlour Magic has released The Embassy, a liminal yet lively and edgy dive in a new and exciting direction for the group.
The third studio album from Parlour Magic follows Saturn Return in 2024 and The Fluid Neon Origami Trick in 2020. It nods subtly to Depeche Mode, Neon Indian and Arctic Monkeys while remaining unmistakably its own. It showcases a heavier, guitar-driven sound while retaining the dreamy indie pop textures they are known for. The result is an experience infinitely more grounded and intimate for listeners.
Lead single “Alter Boy” has immersed listeners into the group’s atmospheric sonic universe since its release in early January. Its themes of loneliness and missed connection expertly introduce the album’s cinematic universe as it will unfold in every other track. There is something undeniably bittersweet and yearning laced within its lyrics and nostalgic in its production.
“The coolest thing, to me, about how Parlour Magic has evolved over the last five years has been watching it evolve from what was once very much a solo project into its own collaborative ecosystem,” said Luc. “After Saturn Return, I wanted to make an album that felt a bit more grounded – more earthbound. I wanted to be able to hear real people in a room, playing together as a unit. The process of bringing that vision to life with Bailey and Fab over the last year has been, quite simply, a joy to experience. I’ve never enjoyed the process of making a record as much as I’ve enjoyed making The Embassy, and I think that really translates to the album itself.”
Produced by Bailey Kislak alongside Luc Bokor-Smith and Fab Dupont, The Embassy blends vintage synths, treated vocal performances and live instrumentation with meticulous production design. Armed with a full band behind them, Kislak, Bokor-Smith and Dupont push boldly towards a guitar-driven sound inspired by the energy of the band’s live performances on the 2024 to 2025 “Saturn Return” tour. Additional production comes from Luca Chesney, Florian Stepper and Oren Levin, with further contributions from Chris Blanchard and Erez Levin and string arrangements by Kristine Kruta.
The album’s anchor is Greg Girard’s Naha, Okinawa hotel room view, 1982, which serves as the cover art and sets the record’s tone of quiet transience and nocturnal solitude. Drawing inspiration from filmmakers like Wong Kar-wai and Wim Wenders, The Embassy channels a distinctly 1970s cinematic mood while remaining modern in mood and timeless in sound.
Parlour Magic officially debuted The Embassy on June 4 in a concert at Mercury Lounge. The band will go on a national tour in 2026, performing as a four-piece band.
Key Tracks: Alter Boy, Are We Crystal Now?, 1997
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