Cover of Arctic Monkeys AM
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For fans of arctic monkeys, lovers of indie and british rock, and listeners interested in genre-blending albums with hip hop and stoner-pop influences.
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LA RECENSIONE

After getting tanned under the scorching sun of some California beach during the "Suck And See It" era, now the sand and the beautiful season are just a fond memory. The new geographical and temporal coordinates are pubs, vodka, cigarettes, night, hangover, and AM!

The Arctic Monkeys are undoubtedly the British band straddling between indie background and mainstream circus numbers most in the spotlight at the moment alongside Kasabian, a sort of arm wrestling one might say.

Remember "Suck It And See", don't you? Well, erase it entirely and change your deck of cards, because here the game and table have changed again. And now a new seasoned player has joined this table, one Josh Homme. No more singer-songwriting and gentle and sweet atmospheres of a minstrel coming from the 60's and 70's, the AM have turned on the night lights and maybe even the fog lights.

The album, despite the many influences flaunted (hip hop, r 'n' b, stoner), proves to be compact and fast-flowing among more adrenaline-pumping sounds, the well-known "R U Mine?", and the elegance of stoner-pop in "Arabella" with delicious final fireworks, passing through the good "One For The Road" and "I Want It All" where the vocal line closely resembles Matthew Bellamy and globally the latest Muse, and getting to the point with the Beatles-like ballad with the Turner+piano combo "No. 1 Party Anthem".

What else is there to say? That "Mad Sounds" is a fleeting, decontextualized sketch from what was the 2011 album, that "Do I Wanna Know?" was a winning breakthrough, and that the two closing tracks "Knee Socks" and "I Wanna Be Yours" are two little pop gems, sensual the first, enveloping and nocturnal the second.

Sure, thinking that this is the music playing in the United Kingdom makes us reflect and draw comparisons on what we consider mainstream music here and conclude that there's a spread between us and them that brings distress.

The Arctic Monkeys lay down the poker hand, and what do Kasabian do? Do they fold or raise?

Rating: 8+

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Summary by Bot

Arctic Monkeys' album AM marks a sharp departure from their previous softer style, embracing a nightlife atmosphere filled with pub culture and nocturnal energy. Featuring a mix of hip hop, stoner-pop, and adrenaline-driven tracks, the album is compact and flowing. Standout songs like "R U Mine?" and "Arabella" highlight its musical diversity, while the influence of producer Josh Homme is clearly felt. Overall, AM solidifies Arctic Monkeys' place in the British mainstream rock spotlight with an 8+ rating.

Tracklist Videos

01   Arabella (03:27)

02   One for the Road (03:26)

03   Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High? (02:41)

04   No.1 Party Anthem (04:03)

05   I Want It All (03:04)

06   Fireside (03:01)

07   I Wanna Be Yours (03:04)

08   Snap Out of It (03:12)

09   R U Mine? (03:21)

10   2013 (02:29)

11   Knee Socks (04:17)

12   Mad Sounds (03:35)

13   Stop the World I Wanna Get Off With You (00:00)

14   Do I Wanna Know? (04:32)

Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band formed in Sheffield (2002). They rose to prominence with their 2006 debut Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not and have released several stylistically varied albums including Favourite Worst Nightmare, Humbug, Suck It and See, AM, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino and The Car.
28 Reviews

Other reviews

By Ociredef86

 Just listen to "Do I Wanna Know" to understand how much they have changed.

 AM is an album that is pleasant to listen to, twelve tracks that never bore, that do not reek of déjà vu even if they are inspired by the great figures of the past.