Ellie Henderson
Four and a half years since the release of their daring sixth album, Arctic Monkeys have returned with their stunning seventh studio album, The Car — and they sound better than ever.
Sheffield’s iconic four-piece rock band have proven themselves unafraid to evolve and follow their musical instincts, from their humble beginnings in indie garage rock with 2006’s Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, to the space-age lounge pop of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino in 2018.
Indeed, The Car feels like a perfect, seamless progression for the band. Whilst Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino was a striking pivot from its rock-and-roll predecessor, AM, The Car feels like a natural evolution.
The Car amalgamates the melodic piano and rich vocals of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, elements of the classic rock of AM, and the tangible atmosphere of Humbug, whilst introducing freshly innovative lyricism, stunning strings sections, and bold ’60s and ’70s musical influences.
Dreamy Nostalgia, 70’s Funk, and Atmospheric Rock
The album opens with ‘There’d Better Be A Mirrorball’, a dreamy, nostalgic track with smooth piano and guitar reminiscent of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.
The song is a slow but perfect opener: a smooth musical transition from their previous record and a powerful lyrical introduction to their new one, as frontman Alex Turner opens by telling the listener, “don’t get emotional, that ain’t like you”, before singing of being walked to “the car”.
The second track, ‘I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am’, follows with a bold, funky bassline that shifts the album’s tone almost instantly. Its ’70s funk and psychedelic rock sound make it strikingly unique, whilst its baroque pop elements are continued in the upbeat, addictive ‘Hello You’ in the album’s second half.
“it carries a dark, gloomy sound somewhat reminiscent of AM’s ‘Do I Wanna Know?'”
The third track, ‘Sculptures of Anything Goes’, is another standout. Arguably the most exciting song on the album, it carries a dark, gloomy sound somewhat reminiscent of AM’s ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ alongside ominous lyricism.
Following this is the retro, lounge-pop ‘Jet Skis on the Moat’, before ‘Body Paint’. It is a grand, slow-burn ballad with an explosive climax, rendering it the most enthralling song of the album.
The album’s second half opens with the titular track, ‘The Car’. Its meandering acoustic guitar creates an incredibly cinematic atmosphere. An atmosphere that’s continued in the Bond theme-esque ‘Big Ideas’.
After ‘Hello You’ and the calm, intimate ‘Mr Schwartz’, the album is closed beautifully with ‘Perfect Sense’, a lush musical and lyrical conclusion in which Turner satisfyingly croons, “sometimes I wrap my head around it all and it all makes perfect sense”.
The Genius of Turner’s Lyricism
Indeed, the stellar lyricism of The Car affirms Turner’s reputation as one of — if not the — most talented songwriters of his generation. Throughout the album, Turner tells stories, delivers reflections, and lets his mind wander in ways that are often vague and enigmatic, but always poetic and intriguing.
Setting is key to any Arctic Monkeys album — from the bustling streets of a night out in Sheffield to a hotel and casino on the moon — and The Car is no different. Turner creates an environment of wealth, luxury, and leisure, as he sings of the French Riviera, jet skis, and country roads.
But rather than a consistent, obvious setting as in Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino, the environment of The Car largely serves as a means of conveying the album’s darker lyrical elements. The atmosphere of vintage glamour is permeated by feelings of displacement, melancholy, and longing — all key lyrical themes of the record.
“one of [the album’s] most significant lyrical themes is undoubtedly Turner’s reflections on the band and their ever-evolving musical style”
In an interview with NME, Turner reflected that “much of this new music is scratching at the past and how much of it I should hang on to”.
One could spend days unpacking the rich, complex lyrics of The Car, but one of its most significant lyrical themes is undoubtedly Turner’s reflections on the band and their ever-evolving musical style. Specifically, this includes the criticisms of 2018’s Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino due to its significant deviation from the band’s ‘usual’ alternative rock sound.
On ‘Sculptures of Anything Goes’, Turner appears to speak directly to his critics: “Guess I’m talking to you now / Puncturing your bubble of relatability / With your horrible new sound”, alluding to criticisms of his move towards more obscure lyricism and the band’s shift away from their popular sound.
Similarly, ‘Big Ideas’ refers to the difficulty and the impossibility of recreating their old sound: “I had big ideas, the band was so excited … But now the orchestra’s got us all surrounded / And I cannot for the life of me remember how they go”.
A Stunning, Satisfying Production
All in all, The Car has the potential to be Arctic Monkeys’ greatest album yet. It is a deeply mature and satisfying transition from Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino. It incorporates elements of its obscure lyricism, melodic piano, and nostalgic atmosphere, whilst illustrating the band’s continual progression into an innovative new sound.
The Car may evoke many elements of its predecessor, but one distinction is particularly clear. Whilst Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino was a remarkably unified, consistent album, The Car sees Arctic Monkeys venture out further into different sounds and take unexpected, thrilling turns all within one record.
“The Car is the stunning output of a band who are constantly evolving and showcasing incredible musicianship”
Stylistically, the album’s perpetual sense of grandeur makes it strikingly cinematic and atmospheric throughout.
Reminiscent of the work and styles of the likes of David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles, The Car is the stunning output of a band who are constantly evolving and showcasing incredible musicianship and it is sure to become one of their classics.
Sure, Arctic Monkeys’ newer music won’t be for everybody — but for those who love it, The Car is an absolute delight, offering something enthrallingly new with every listen.
Featured image courtesy of Asuntopolera.com on Flickr. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
Ellie Henderson
Glasgow-based freelance journalist and editorial intern, specialising in news, politics, and music journalism.