Arctic Monkeys back under the Mirrorball

They’re back and arguably better than ever. The release of ‘Body Paint’ and announcement of their seventh studio album ‘The Car’ (out 21st October) has been met with excitement mixed with criticism. But who can deny that the band are continuing to push the boundaries of rock?

I’ll be honest, at first listen, I was horrified by the new single. 'Body paint' opens with an abstract instrumental which is soon smothered by the vocals of Alex Turner, who sounds as if he’s been wounded and using an incredibly high-pitched tone. The song’s slow tempo creates a stark contrast to indie-rock classics such as 'From the Ritz to the Rubble' but perfectly complements works from the 2018 album ‘Tranquillity Base Hotel & Casino’.

But after several listens, I’ve come to admire the track’s unusual character and assumed confidence. Paired with the single’s official music video, you can really see how far Arctic Monkeys are aiming to experiment with their music and with their usual swagger, are unafraid of the consequences. I don’t think I’m alone in saying Turner’s new vocal style reminds me of Bowie and the classic that is 'Space Oddity'. A little unconventional, yes, but was Bowie not renowned and adored for his ability to change persona between albums? So surely there’s no reason why this Sheffield lad can’t do the same.

After the excitement of the band’s appearance at Reading & Leeds Fest over the summer, it was hard to stir for comments slating the band for their apparent disinterest in their older music. I wasn’t at either festival but can only assume that anyone would tire of the same melodies after performing them for over a decade. Can we blame them for wanting to start a new musical journey? Surely it’s better for a band to remain on the music scene than to disappear from it.

I can appreciate that the songs perhaps don’t have the same angst they possessed in previous albums and that this angst is what led to much of their popularity. But on closer inspection, the lyricism hasn’t changed all that much and still contains brilliant lines such as “do your time travelling through the tanning booth”. This is a comforting reminder of the ordinary nature of their lyrics, like the mecca dobbers and betting pencils in 'Fluorescent Adolescent'. The songs now have a more sensual feel to them and seem to grow alongside the audience’s musical maturity.

So if you haven’t already, go and listen to the two new singles and if anyone has tickets to their tour next year and needs a plus one, please get in touch!