And If You're Thinking of Me, I'm Probably Thinking of You
Get in Besties, Arctic Monkeys' The Car is Here
The TGIF lineup differs from our sincerely piqued interest in frivolous diversions during these politically wild and tumultuous times— only without celebrity worship. This week we dive into Arctic Monkeys’ seventh studio album, The Car. Get into it below.
I’ve been behind on new music by figuratively fleeing my present— by staying in the past. My utter fascination of decades past with my love for classic rock— or ‘dad rock,’ as everyone now seemingly calls it, has never wavered. Decidedly staying in the blissful escapism of nostalgia helped prepare me for Arctic Monkeys’ noticeably ‘70s impact as they seamlessly fit right in with their 2022 sound, as oscillation seems to be a theme as each album flows toward the future.
After the lunar exploration of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, nostalgia seems to be potent and alluring. Arctic Monkeys have innate abilities to contain multitudes and slowly peel back the lyrical layers of where they are in life, updating fans solely on their sonic terms. Despite blazing the internet back in the MySpace age and remaining offline in an increasingly digital world, they’ve encapsulated countless intergenerational fans since the early aughts. Leaving expectations and fan pleas for more of the previous far behind in the moonly dust of TBH&C, the foursome continues paving their yellow brick road of wonderment. Now, coming back down from a galactic mission and nestling into the enchantment of fully adopting strings, The Car incorporates a cinematic level of sound that commands attention as its namesake. We break down our favorites below.
Indulging in a lush and glittering aura like the reflections from its lead single, There’d Better Be a Mirrorball. Setting the tone for the hazy lounge with a Laurel Canyon sense with the latest single, I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am. It has the timeless suave and coolness of Steve McQueen— or Michael Caine in The Italian Job (1969). On Sculptures Of Anything Goes— co-written by cunning by design Jamie Cook, a full circle moment from WPSIATWIN’s Still Take You Home, and Favorite Worst Nightmare’s The Bad Thing— the tone is brooding and menacing. Like Krzysztof Penderecki with some groovy funk touches akin to Nile Rogers.
Turner goes full crooner in Jet Skies On the Moat, a nebulous ballad co-written with keys wizard and former Dead Sons’ Tom Rowley (along with Mr. Schwartz). The single, Body Paint, possesses an etherealness of Ennio Morricone and the vocal and vulnerable progression of the legendary songwriters and BeeGee’s Brothers, the Gibbs.
The Car has a Westworld-like ambiance without the spacey inference as TBH&C but rather has a spaghetti western feel that flows with the moonlight music circa Humbug. Ideally, the track would pair deliciously well with the devilish Quentin Tarantino as I dream of the day Alex Turner will shift towards film scores or even directing— but I digress.
Similarly to their previous beloved albums, the first half entices. The second half has the more thoughtful and slow-simmering hidden gems with Big Ideas, Hello You, Mr. Schwartz, and Perfect Sense. Fourth-wall-breaking glimpses of what could have perhaps been with music theatricality that almost soundtrack the cinematic film world on Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino— Mark, I’m still waiting on availability.
Alex Turner continues the finesse of a symphonic writer— it’s as if he’s metaphorically writing by candlelight and quill pen, and his evocative syntax slinks its way in with atmospheric ease. Turner has a way with words, meticulous and concise— it’s almost as if you can imagine that he often gets lost in subjects and tangents throughout his mind, and rightfully so. Arctic Monkeys’ sonic waves are immaculate, and their orchestral rock ‘n roll theatricality is unexpectedly deserving. Their time traveling backward with homage to yesteryear wavers in with the sharp pangs of nostalgia we continue to find so comforting.
Arctic Monkeys’ The Car is out globally via Domino Records; stream HERE.
Certainly, I have a dedicated playlist of my personal and everlasting favorites by Arctic Monkeys. The playlist I’ve curated throughout the years is finally and belatedly now on Spotify below.
For Apple Music, HERE.
Happenstance or coincidence— regardless of the synonyms, I happened to bookmark this visual treat back in 2020 as I first stepped back in time through my Retro Fixation. Revisiting and looking through seemed like fate once again as it professedly fits in with The Car’s overtone.
Step back to 1971 or 2001, as I was still in my enamored Retro Fixation with Apple Tv+’s docuseries 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything on a significant historical year.
Admittingly, I’ve been a longtime fan of the Sheffield-born band and unapologetically embrace my inner and ageless fangirl, which helped facilitate and transmute my forever love and passion toward Youthquake. Arctic Monkeys are like The Strokes in being my eternal favorites that have been such influential and definitive moments throughout my life while helping me connect to such incredible people worldwide. This album will be playing on repeat for a while.
Aside from Arctic Monkeys’ latest, Carly Rae Jepsen and Taylor Swift also saw new releases today— the latter will be reviewed by none other than Sam coming soon. Youthquake is finding its footing again, and we’re forever grateful for the devoted readership.
Con Amor,
Naomi x