I want to be taken on a journey with the Arctic Monkeys, but “The Car” seems to be parked in one spot.
Their seventh studio album, released on Friday, did not live up to the hype.
The English alternative rock band’s album has 10 songs that all sound exactly the same, which is usually not an issue for me, but the repetitiveness made me yawn.
Their previous album “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino,” released in 2018, was also a flop to me.
I’ve been listening to the Arctic Monkeys since middle school and can confidently say that I don’t think they can ever top their 2007 album “Favourite Worst Nightmare” and 2013’s “AM.”
Those two iconic albums are impossible to beat, mainly because it is difficult to evoke that same sad atmosphere through rock sounds.
The album definitely fits into my music library, which consists of mostly heartbreak tunes.
As a big Arctic Monkeys fan who just bought floor tickets for their San Francisco show in September 2023, their newest album “The Car” is underwhelming and boring.
The vocalist Alex Turner’s narrative is the only one heard on the album.
“There’d Better Be A Mirrorball” released early to tease the album and it’s one of my only two favorites. Hearing that song for the first time made me excited for the album, but I was blue-balled.
If a heartbreak could be captured perfectly in a song, it would be that one. It has an eerie sound that evokes the feeling of anxiety one feels when they see a “Hey, can we talk?” text.
Listeners can easily pick up on Turner being conflicted in his relationship because he offers an ultimatum to his significant other.
The lyrics, “For the moment when you look them in the eyes and say, ‘Baby, it's been nice. / So do you wanna walk me to the car? / I'm sure to have a heavy heart. / So can we please be absolutely sure that there's a mirrorball for me?” made me feel Turner’s pain.
The hurt stems from how many times he has had to ask for a mirrorball, or in my eyes, different behavior from his partner.
The song is relatable to people who have been in a pickle trying to decide if a relationship is worth giving another shot. It highlights the hesitation one can feel when they’re not sure their partner can give them what they need.
The third song “Sculptures of Anything Goes,” is another favorite of mine because of the intense use of 808s. It has a rustic sound to it that is very similar to the songs off of the 2013 album “AM.”
It seems like Turner is talking in his ex-partner’s perspective who doesn’t like the new version of himself.
The lyrics say, “Puncturing your bubble of relatability with your horrible new sound. / Baby, those mixed messages ain't what they used to be.”
People who are often vilified for changing after a breakup can empathize with Turner’s lyrics. The new version of your ex maybe isn't fitting the idealized version you made up of them.
Those two songs are the only good ones out of the 10 and only because of how much they remind me of their old music. It might be unfair of me to compare their new music to their past albums, but it’s difficult because of how impactful they were when I was younger.
Although I’m not a big fan of “The Car,” I will still be supporting the band and attending their concert in 2023 – with the hopes of their setlist having their old songs in them of course.
I hope the band tows this current sound in exchange for a more moving one.
