A little background for you all: Arctic Monkeys is a British rock band that formed back in 2002, out of the smoldering ashes of the grunge scene and has been prevalent in indie rock culture ever since their first 2006 album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not." It wasn't until their wildly successful fifth studio album, "AM," that they began to gain due recognition in the United States. "AM" received many honors, including "Best Album of 2013" according to NME Magazine, a feature in NME's list of 500 greatest albums of all time, as well as a nomination for the 2013 Mercury Prize for best album.
To many, the hard rock sound of the Arctic Monkeys, which was reminiscent of early '60s rock fused with early punk influences, made the band an instant fan favorite in the post-punk revival scene. All things considered, there was understandably a large buzz surrounding the new Arctic Monkeys album which dropped late last night, titled "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino," the first set of new music to come out after the drop of "AM" in five years. Let me tell you right now, it's not what you expect, it's not going to be for everyone and it's easily the best album I've listened to this year.
Who would have thought that this band had it in them to produce their own concept album outside of their usual genre of music? I have to pay my respects here. I think that is commendably bold. Not to mention that the concept for this album is f***ing awesome too: lounge music played in a hotel and casino on the moon.
Arctic Monkeys went full Beatles with this new album. Like when the Beatles went from their "White Album" straight to "Yellow Submarine." Or maybe you'd be more appreciative if I compared it to Panic! At the Disco going from "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out" to "Pretty Odd." Needless to say, it was ridiculously out of left field. It was like Alex Turner, writer and lead vocalist for Arctic Monkeys, said "you liked our last album, but wait 'till you see THIS!"
The album is crazy good. This is a complete departure from their usual hard distorted guitar sound. If you were looking for more of "AM," I'm afraid that you'll be looking in the wrong place with this album. The music in "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" features slow tempo music with longing and haunting vocals (in a way only Alex Turner could deliver) akin to jazz. That's right, I said jazz. An Arctic Monkeys lounge jazz album. Their use of synthesizer really brings forward elements of '70s progressive rock, something resembling Pink Floyd, if you're into that stuff. I'm really not kidding when I say it's like they're a different band.
I love it when artists and bands experiment with concepts and sounds like this. It really shows how great of musicians the members of a band can be. How boring would it be if we just got music like "AM" from Arctic Monkeys over and over again? It wouldn't really compel me to listen to their new stuff because I would just go back to the source content and listen to "AM." If artists never experimented outside of their genres, we wouldn't ever see songs like "Death of a Bachelor" by Panic! At the Disco, "Tusk" by Fleetwood Mac, "Redbone" by Childish Gambino or God forbid "Africa" by Toto. I'm so happy to see this Arctic Monkeys album join ranks with such a wonderful pantheon of dynamic musicians and songs.
