Garlen Lo – London Girls (2025)
With his ninth single, ‘London Girls’, Garlen Lo delivers a breezy, witty, and unapologetically British slice of indie-pop that wears its influences proudly on its Harrington sleeve. If The Beach Boys’ California Girls were relocated to Leyton and raised on pork scratchings, pub banter, and The Generation Game reruns, you’d land somewhere near the sonic and lyrical territory Lo inhabits here. And that’s precisely the point.
Garlen Lo, a self-described one-man-band, producer, and music video auteur, has created something undeniably charming in ‘London Girls’ – a song that’s as catchy as it is clever. It’s pop with a wink and a pint, full of melodic turns and lyrical nods that could only come from someone who truly gets London, in all its chaotic, multicultural, oddball glory. It’s Chas and Dave by way of Randy Newman, with Paul McCartney peeking through the curtains for good measure.
The track is mid-tempo and jauntily upbeat, the kind of melody that instantly worms its way into your head and feels like it’s been there for years. You half expect your dad to hum along before asking if it’s from The White Album. But behind its musical sweetness lies a delightful lyrical twist: while it might sound like a lovestruck ode to London’s women, ‘London Girls’ is actually about a friend Lo met abroad – a fellow East Ender with an EastEnders accent. It’s classic Garlen Lo misdirection: sugar-coat the hook, hide a warm anecdote in the verses, then toss in a punchline when you least expect it.
The wit is razor-sharp but never cynical. From references to Ruby Murray (rhyming slang and curry in one), to fart jokes and a “pull my finger” gag, to a Bruce Forsyth name-drop and the cheeky use of a catchphrase, Lo embraces the daft side of British humour with an almost theatrical glee. Somehow, it works, and works well. It’s not easy to write a song that manages to be both endearingly silly and musically satisfying, but Lo walks that tightrope with the assurance of someone who’s been writing sing-alongs since he was gifted a guitar at age seven.
Garlen Lo might be a niche name now, but his blend of observational humour, clever lyricism, and melodic craftsmanship deserves far wider attention. ‘London Girls’ is a testament to his unique voice – equal parts McCartney, Madness, and Mike Leigh – and proof that pop music can still be playful, personal, and proudly local. ‘London Girls’ is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys their music with heart, hooks, and a bit of a laugh. And honestly, can you name another pop song that manages to namecheck Brucey and still feel like a warm hug from home?
Find out more about Garlen Lo on his official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
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