Arctic Monkeys return from their hiatus with ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’
Arctic Monkeys’ 6th studio album is like nothing we’ve heard from them before.
★★★★★
Photo: Austin Hargrave
After not having an Arctic Monkeys album for five whole years, they had a lot to live up to on their sixth album, aptly titled Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. I had no idea what to expect from this LP, the only thought I had was that, from the tiny preview clip, they might’ve gone down the Tame Impala-inspired route. I was wrong, very wrong, and the album is completely different from what I initially thought it would sound like. At some points, it reminds me a little bit of their fourth album Suck It And See but most of all it simply sounds like nothing they’ve ever put out. It doesn’t even sound reminiscent of Alex Turner’s solo escapade for the film Submarine or any of his past ventures as the duo The Last Shadow Puppets.
At first, when Alex Turner’s voice first releases that familial vocal chord, I am not sure if I actually like it. There’s something about the way the backing music supports the vocals that I’m just not sure about at first. But, after listening to the whole of Star Treatment, I’m absorbed into this world that Turner has created alongside his co-pilots Jamie Cook, Matt Helders and Nick O’Malley.
When I get to American Sports, I feel like I’ve suddenly delved deeper into the way Turner thinks; the intro is mesmerising and the guitar, bass, and keyboard form an endearing marriage and have no trouble complementing his vocals outstandingly. Every song flows effortlessly into the next as if they’ve all meticulously thought about the transitions from one to another just as much as they’ve analysed the chord progressions over and over again.
It’s clear to see why Arctic Monkeys wanted this to be listened to from Star Treatment all the way to The Ultracheese. This is an album that we need; an album that isn’t over-the-top produced or gimmicky and shines by itself with nothing taking attention away from the undeniably raw talent of this acclaimed four-piece.
It’s clear to see they’ve evolved from their first album, the critically acclaimed Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, released way back in 2006, and Alex Turner’s songwriting has only gotten better. They’ve gone for a much slower approach this time around, compared to previous albums where they have been known for their fast pace, indie club night-filling tunes.
Stand-out songs from the album for me are Golden Trunks, Batphone, She Looks Like Fun and The World’s First Ever Monster Truck Front Flip. I can’t wait to see how some of these will sound live in September during their first homecoming gig in five years.
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is out now via Domino Records.
