Arctic Monkeys have been popular on both sides of the Atlantic since breaking out with their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not – showcasing a punky, indie sound that approached tales of boozy midnight marauding and simmering romance with seeming irreverence and scathing wit.
Though underneath, peeling back the layers of drunken excess, the song writing was sympathetic, authentic, fixing its sights on societal ills in a way that could only have been concocted by a group of working class lads from the north of England. The hooks were catchy, the music fast and surprisingly danceable.
Embed from Getty ImagesSo it was remarkable that the band would transition into something more baroque, bluesy, and psychedelic – their most recent album, 2018’s Tranquillity Base Hotel and Casino conceptualised around a lush, art deco resort on the moon. Frontman Alex Turner’s vocals transplanted from an abrasive, observational indie storyteller to that of an intergalactic lounge singer: delivered richly, even seductively.
It’s a style of delivery that began with their massively successful 2013 release AM, with the single ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ pounding to an intense, melodramatic finish that reeled in the band’s new era.
And now they turn to The Car – out for release on the 21st of October – it promises to be one smooth ride. Their latest single ‘Body Paint’, was released only a few days ago on September the 29th. It’s a bopping, Bowie flavoured tune with Turner singing in his higher register, and plenty of lush instrumentation, cut into in its second half with a guitar solo reminiscent of David Gilmore’s gritty licks on Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here – a 70s throwback, through and through.
Embed from Getty ImagesBefore that, on the 30th of August, they had released the album’s first single, ‘There’d Better Be a Mirror Ball’ – also a throwback, as its title might suggest, though this one leans heavily into the 60s. It’s been described by critics as ‘bond-esque’ – though it’s far less kitschy – interjected by suspenseful piano hits, a downtempo, jazz influenced drumming style, soaring strings and a nostalgic, yearning vocal performance form Turner.
Embed from Getty ImagesTwo other songs, ‘I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am’ and ‘Mr. Schwartz’, have been debuted live. The entire record has long since wrapped, with production finishing in July, recorded at Butley Priory in Suffolk, UK, and RAK studios in London.
Embed from Getty ImagesNaturally a new tour has been announced, including headlining slots at many of Europe’s biggest festivals – and a flurry of North American dates with barely a breath between them. You’ll find the track-list, and those tour dates below.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Car – Track List
- There’d Better Be a Mirror Ball
- I Ain’t Quite Where I think I am
- Sculptures of Anything Goes
- Jet Skis on the Moat
- Body Paint
- The Car
- Big Ideas
- Hello You
- Mr Schwartz
- Perfect Sense
North American Tour Dates (With Fontaines D.C.)
August 2023
08/25/23 – The Armoury, Minneapolis, MN, USA
08/27/23 – United Center, Chicago, IL, USA
08/29/23 – Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkson, MI, USA
08/30/23 – Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON, Canada
September 2023
09/02/23 – Bell Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
09/03/23 – TD Garden, Boston, MA, USA
09/05/23 – TD Pavilion at the Mann, Philadelphia, PA, USA
09/07/23 – Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD, USA
09/08/23 – Forest Hills Stadium, Forest Hills, NY, USA
09/09/23 – Forest Hills Stadium, Forest Hills, NY, USA
09/11/23 – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta, GA, USA
09/12/23 – Ascend Amphitheatre, Nashville, TM, USA
09/15/23 – Moody Center, Austin, TX, USA
09/16/23 – Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, USA
09/18/23 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO, USA
09/20/23 – Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
09/22/23 – Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA, USA
09/23/23 – Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC, USA
09/24/23 – Moda Center, Portland, OR, USA
09/26/23 – Chase Center, San Francisco, USA
09/27/23 – Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
09/29/23 – The Kia Forum, Los Angeles, CA, USA