Arctic Monkeys - AM

Arctic Monkeys
AM
Domino (2013)
By Kasey Wanek

Almost a decade ago, Arctic Monkeys popped onto the music scene with their first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I'm Not. Now, with the recent release of their fifth album, AM, the British rock band has made history as the first independent rock band with 5 studio albums debuting at #1 in the UK. With AM, the band had an opportunity to develop new sounds but somehow keep the familiarity of their previous albums. Like their third album, Humbug, the Monkeys were in collaboration with Queen of the Stone Age's Josh Homme, and it shows in songs like "Do I Wanna Know?" and "R U Mine", which both give off modern rock vibes.

The after-midnight sound of AM varies widely: there’s the captivating falsetto harmonies in "Do I Wanna Know?" and "Snap Out of It"; the R&B feel in songs like "Mad Sounds" and "No. 1 Party Anthem", in which lead singer Alex Turner displays more ambitious vocal stylings; the 'doo wops' in "Fireside"; and the beefy guitar riffs and Black Keys garage quiver in "I Want It All". This album shows not only their growth with new sounds, but also exhibits the new level of maturity with their lyrics. "Deep as the deep Atlantic Ocean, that’s how deep is my devotion," Turner croons in "I Wanna Be Yours", unveiling his affection for lyrics dealing with young love and broken hearts. He then displays more sarcastic and almost sassy lyrics in "Why Do You Only Call Me When You're High?" and "Snap Out of It”, both prime examples of how Arctic Monkeys don't take the stress and demand of the music industry too seriously.

The British indie rock band has dominated the music scene with their five albums, in part due to Tuner's masterful control of language in executing his lyrics and the very diverse sound the Arctic Monkeys have developed in the past 7 years. Showcasing their experimentation with new melodies and lyrics, AM is their strongest album yet.