RECORD LABEL; EMI
RELEASE DATE; 14 November, 2025
The Parlour is an audacious and confident debut, rooted in gritty rock’n’roll but laced with a surprising theatricality. The London-based five-piece — led by Katherine Parlour (vocals/guitar) and Ella Risi (guitar) — spotlight both swagger and vulnerability across these 11 tracks.
From the opener “Cielo Drive”, the band sets the tone: crunchy guitar riffs, a driving rhythm section, and Parlour’s raspy voice commanding attention. That energy carries through into “24Hr Open” and “$4 Fantasy”, where jagged riffs and tight grooves evoke both classic rock grit and modern urgency.
Yet The Parlour isn’t just raw aggression. Tracks like “Around the Bend” and “The Travelling Show” slow the pace, offering intimate storytelling. On “The Travelling Show,” Parlour reflects on her journey from her hometown, narrating with cinematic flair as if she’s opening the doors to a clandestine barroom world. The quieter moments showcase the band’s emotional range, breaking down the swagger with soulful insight.
One of the album’s most striking moments is “Used To Be Your Girlfriend”, which exposes a softer side. Parlour drops the bravado, channeling a dry, almost conversational tone reminiscent of Alex Turner — it’s intimate, clever and slightly self-deprecating.
Production-wise, The Parlour sounds polished yet still maintains an edge: recorded in Nashville and London, the album feels both polished and raw, like a live gig captured in studio form. The band draws on a wide set of influences — from vintage rock to Northern Soul — but they filter it through their own fearless identity.
Critically, the album has been very well received. A leap from their gritty gig-room roots to a cohesive and confident debut. While comparisons to rock legends occasionally surface, the band shows they’re not merely echoing their influences — they’re building something fresh, and they clearly have the talent to carve out a space all their own.
