Britain’s modern day rock ‘n’ roll quartet delivers a new album AM, an indicator of their evolved sound aesthetic.
AM, The Arctic Monkeys’ latest incredibly successful album, hit the light of day on September 9. And it’s even about to outsell the immortal Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories worldwide.
*Image from pastemagazine.com
For those of you unacquainted with the Monkeys, they are England’s current crown jewel of rock music. They should also be your new favorite band, especially as this album is an instant pleaser to listeners worldwide. It’s reminiscent of the old-school pop of half a century in the past. It has riffs that remind you of American R&B. It’s sultry, it’s hopeful, it’s genuine; and it makes you want to grab the band’s frontman, Alex Turner, and breathe him in.
His lyrics on this album express an aching, deep desire towards an anonymous female to be his and to allow him to be hers. Expressed through lyrics such as, “Crawling back to you/been wondering if your heart’s still open/and if so I wanna know what time it shuts,” he longs to give himself to her, body and mind. Although the lyrics express emotional desire and yearning, their sound doesn’t necessarily divulge such tenderness.
*Image from factmag.com
There’s hard rock evident in several tracks from the album, such as its initial single “R U Mine?” (Yes Alex, I’d like to be yours) and “Arabella.” These tracks are just a glance into the 50’s/60’s swingin’ American rock ‘n’ roll sound this album embodies.
Perhaps due to their recent move to L.A., their playful London rock sound has evolved into a more varied integration of American musical precedents. “Do I Wanna Know” combines a daring, retro-rock crawl with a slow croon suggestive of R&B, a taste evident throughout the album’s tracks.
As a long-term Monkeys fan, I must say I miss their characteristic vibes of the past, but we must simply sit back, let the lyrics entrance us, and enjoy the ride.