Skip to main content

REVIEW: Arctic Monkeys' 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino'

After not having an Arctic Monkeys album for five years, they had a lot to live up to for their sixth album, '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 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 familiar 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, Cook, Helders and O'Malley have created. 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 compliment 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.

Photo by Zackery Michael
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 overly produced or gimicky and shines by itself with nothing taking attention away from the raw talent of this 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. They've gone for a much slower approach this time around, compared to previous albums where they have been known for their fast pace tunes. 

Personally, stand out songs from 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' have got to be 'Golden Trunks', 'Batphone', 'She Looks Like Fun' and 'The World's First Ever Monster Truck Front Flip.' A strong four stars from me, that's for sure. I can't wait to see how some of these will sound live in September and listen to their new take on the older songs. 

Listen to 'Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino' here
Buy the album here

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

10 Best Albums of 2020

We can all agree that 2020 has been a tumultuous journey from beginning to end, never failing to provide one disappointment after the other. Seemingly, the only rewarding thing about 2020 has been the music made in lockdown, the albums we've been blessed with or, for some people, it's Taylor Swift releasing not one but two full-length albums this year. Musicians have been unable to perform live, meaning The Night Cafe's 2019 tour is set to take place in 2030 if they're lucky.  I'll have to admit, I've been a bit behind. It'll take me a good few months to sit down and properly listen to an album unless a miracle happens and I listen to it the day it's released. You'll notice that the likes of Phoebe Bridgers and Rina Sawayama aren't on here and, it isn't because I'm not a fan, I'm just the worst kind of procrastinator. I'm sure all of your favourites deserve a spot on here, so I'm going to cement my apology before I continue.  ...

Post-rock outfit HAAL release monumental 'Memorial'

  Following up from their debut single, Carmen Jones , released last year and accumulating just over 1,600 streams, the Bristol rockers have shaken up the system with their latest release Memorial , a cacophony of orchestral sounds mixed with progressive influence. Photo: Amia Watling With a sound reminiscent of Slint and a hint of Nine Inch Nails , HAAL is a band that wouldn’t sound out of place soundtracking a David Fincher m ovie . Memorial is a track that creeps up on you and rewards you for your patience. Even more rewarding is the wall of distortion in the climax of the song, ending the song in beautiful grandness.  There is evidence of the band's knowledge of music theory in their clever usage of dissonance, a complex time signature, and a complex structure so tasteful that if it was plated up in the Masterchef final, it would be more tear-jerking than getting a 7 from Anthony Fantano. The math-rock influence is unmistakable; beginning with the introduction of the dru...

Black Country, New Road release highly anticipated debut album 'For the first time'

  Black Country, New Road start off their highly anticipated debut album with an instrumental that sets the tone for the rest of the songs. The track is nothing but effortless; alike puff pastry with its copious layers you’re left struggling to count, and sounding like something soundtracking a Damien Chazelle film.  For the first time , the newest offering from a promising young band (with 7 very good, very talented members), is bound to be divisive — I mean, you can’t please everyone . With the band being compared to acts who don’t fit into any given genre, thus being packed into a box together to form some sort of ‘odd one out’ sound, such as the likes of Squid , black midi , and Girl Band , they’ve become the genre most would describe as simply ‘weird’. What else do you use to describe a band who seamlessly blur the lines between the genres they’re being told they belong to? Sure, they’re a fusion of post-punk and whatever else people brand them as but, for me, they’re a...