What was so bad about Josh Homme producing the Arctic Monkeys again? »Humbug« was a nice record, wasn’t it? And aren’t English people the ones to trust when we’re talking about exciting output coming from guitars? Their fifth record by the name of »AM« is no exception there. Their anger is long gone, bangers like »I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor« or »Brianstorm« are no longer part of the deal. »AM« is much too relaxed for those kind of tracks. »Knee Socks« starts out with a happy little melody before sinking in all the way and then returning even pushier with Josh Homme from Queens Of The Stone Age (a short but pleasant guest performance). In its great moments, like in »Arabella«, »AM« is closer to the blues than ever before. The Arctic Monkeys have matured from record to record, and »AM« is only the next logical highlight in their development. Instead of wanting to punch you in the face, every song is raising dust and dirt. »R U Mine?« is as spoiled as the title promises, while »Fireside« sluggishly relies on its rhythm. The gentlemen around singer Alex Turner run through the tracks as relaxed as possible because it doesn’t matter at all, what’s happening in Brooklyn or Berlin. The Arctic Monkeys keep marching – let’s hope they’ll never stop.
Julia Holter
Something In The Room She Moves
Domino