I’ve always had a soft spot for younger bands who play like they are from a different era. One of the first bands that comes to mind is Arctic Monkeys. The Sheffield quartet has single-handedly produced some of the most catchy music while balancing substance-filled music and not rehashing something Led Zeppelin back in ‘78. To quantify this band’s unique sound, I wanted to look at one of the best albums of the 2010s, AM. To dissect this, we must research each song and review it.

“Do I Wanna Know?”: 5

   I was fairly surprised by the location of this song palace. This is one of the best songs on this album, and an instant classic. The fuzzy and easy feeling guitars are on behalf of guitarist Jamie Cook. Nick O’Malley’s bass work is as smooth as butter. Vocalist, Alex Turner, embodies the swagger of the 70’s classic era. It’s overall catchy. The intro starts with a description of the torturous limbo of unrequited love, obsession, and fear of rejection, capturing the anxiety of waiting for a sign from someone who may not care. It highlights the desperation of wanting someone even when it hurts or is toxic, questioning if finding out the truth is worth the pain.

“R U Mine?”: 5

   The second track takes on a faster speed but remains just as groovy. Turner keeps on keeping on, but it’s simplistic in the best way possible. This is one of my favorite pieces Cook has done; the riffs roll on the ears. The song deals with the anxiety, lust, and uncertainty of a casual, rocky relationship, capturing the desperate need for validation and clarity. It portrays the narrator as addicted and infatuated, begging to know if the partner is committed or just there for the night, blending desire with insecurity.

“One for the Road”: 3

   I don’t want to establish the illusion that this album is perfect due to its stylization of modern Rock n’ Roll. Because even some of the greatest genres have a ton of systematic problems. This track (even though it fits perfectly in) shows the blemishes of bands like AC/DC or Zeppelin. It all comes down to the monotonous nature of simplicity. As a verdict, I rated it lower as someone in a position who has listened to and dissected many of these albums. It also begs the question of when bands like the Arctic Monkeys either revive or rejuvenate a genre or style, if there is recrudescence behind it.

“Arabella”: 4

   At first, I wasn’t a huge fan of this track, but there was one factor that made it a solid song. It took a lot of the low-key instrumental themes of “One for the Road”, making it feel a little too easy on the ears. But it fully blooms the alluring feeling within the foreground of the top half of the album. O’Malley’s smooth bass work, reminiscent of 70s Funk, controls the ebb and flow of the song. While Cook focuses on the atmosphere. It just feels like something out of Bad Times at the El Royale. It narrates admiration based on a woman with a 70s dystopia aesthetic. I think it’s inspired by Arielle Vandenberg (or a mix of the character Barbarella).

“I Want it All”: 3

  While writing this, I couldn’t quite remember this song, so I did my own research on the song’s critical reception and I also listened to it again. Usually, I disagree with the public, and I believe listening to others’ opinions to create your own can be dangerous. But at least once in my life, I highly agree. First, the flow of the song is weird. If it were something by Queens of the Stone Age or a more dynamic band, my ears and I wouldn’t have been as offended. Also, Turner’s vocals felt disjointed from the track. I’m not sure if that is a mixing problem or if he just sang in the wrong key. Underneath the not-so-great songwriting is a story of insatiable desire, romantic longing, and a rock star’s ambition to experience everything life offers. The lyrics blend romantic obsession with a nostalgic, slightly melancholic tone, touching on heartbreak, memory, and the desire to possess “all” that life has to offer.

“No.1 Party Anthem”: 4

   This track was out of left field, but it was a chef’s kiss. Arctic Monkeys create a feeling that I can only describe as a placement on The Beatles’ album, Let It Be. The composition and instrumentation are overtly mature-sounding. However, listeners can still get a hint of youthfulness. The song left me surprised due to the careful balance of these two elements just through the instruments. The song illustrates the melancholic feeling of being alone in a crowded party, focusing on a narrator who spots a captivating girl, contemplates approaching her for a fleeting connection, but ultimately gets deterred by her boyfriend, representing the missed opportunities and internal conflict amidst nightlife.

“Mad Sounds”: 3

   Honestly, this song isn’t bad. It’s basic, but it breaks the 70s approach to ballad writing and more into an 80s rock anthem. My only problem is that the previous track hit the nail on the head pretty quickly and efficiently. I feel like this song was a bunch of scraps from that song and made anew. I think if this song replaced “No.1 Party Anthem,” it would be more effective. “Mad Sounds” covers how music’s power to uplift during tough times, especially within strained love, acts as an escape, but also reflects the confusion and heartbreak as a relationship ends.

“Fireside”: 4

   The stylistic placement of this track on the list had me surprised. I can’t necessarily place what type of genre it goes under, but I am all for it. Cook’s guitarwork reminds one of a spaghetti western sound. It is filled with reverb and has a twang to it. The Drumming returns with the simplistic rhythm from “Arabella.” It is about the nostalgic longing and difficulty of moving on from a past relationship, reflecting on shared memories and the uncertainty of whether to rekindle something familiar or accept its end.

“Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”: 3

   I‘m not going to rehash all my problems for this song, since it’s practically the same as “I Want It All.” I’ve seen some people talk about the technicality of Cook’s guitar playing, but it’s the same 70s mumbo jumbo. To be honest, if I wanted to listen to a psychedelic-Rock song, then I would listen to a Pink Floyd song or ANYTHING other than this.  

“Snap Out of It”: 4

   The approach that Arctic Monkeys took on this track was a welcome change. I like how Cook took a direction with a softer rock with a cleaner tone. While he is in the back of the mix, the drumwork has a consistent pattern which reminds a lot of the same institution of The White Stripes’ Get Behind Me Satan. It conveys a plea for someone to break free from emotional stagnation, nostalgia, and a toxic, failed relationship cycle. It balances affectionate longing with a desperate need for the subject to wake up, accept reality, and stop dwelling on the past.

“Knee Socks”: 3

   After a solid run, I have no idea why they would make this song. It’s out of character, even the lyrics are stupid. This reaches levels of Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind 1997.”

“I Wanna Be Yours”: 4

   Such a beautiful ending to a fantastic album. It is a pure ballad that holds a low-key composition. I think a lot of that power is held in Turner’s vocals and piano work. It perfectly sums up not just the album but the legacies that were established by the original titans of Rock n’ Roll. The finale is based on a John Cooper Clarke poem, which is a raw declaration of obsessive love, desire, and the wish to be indispensable. It uses mundane metaphors

   Overall, this album is a great case study on 70s Rock and just overall masterful songwriting. Unfortunately, this was the last of the big wave of Garage Rock, but what a wonderful way to. Between the musicianship and craftsmanship of the album, I think it’s one of the best albums to come out in the 2010s. Ever.