Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino - Arctic Monkeys - Album Review

Arctic Monkeys return yet again with a completely different sound, this time as an homage to the likes of David Bowie and sci-fi films.

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Arctic Monkeys first broke onto the mainstream in 2006 with their debut, Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not. Their debut caught them commercial and critical success, achieving a goal that most young musicians cannot even fathom. With each succeeding record Arctic Monkeys continued to change their sound, ranging from indie rock on Favorite Worst Nightmare to stoner rock on AM. Even with such a drastic change, Arctic Monkeys never lost their relevance or critical praise. With Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, Arctic Monkeys aim their sound and aesthetic to the likes of David Bowie and Stanley Kubrick films.

From the beginning, the album starts out with the otherworldly piano driven "Star Treatment", setting the tone for a lounge rock taste. At this point, frontman Alex Turner reflects on the success that he has experienced upon first receiving fame "Elevator down to my make-believe residency / From the honeymoon suite / Two shows a day, four nights a week / Easy money". Many tracks feel sparse and dense, at times the instrumentation can be rich and cohesive. The music directs its taste towards space, lounge, and glam rock, sort of a throwback to the sound of the late 70s and early 80s. The guitars no longer feel fast, but on "Four Out Of Five" and "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" they pack a slug punch while having a slight psychedelic twang.

Some fans might not enjoy the route Arctic Monkeys have taken with the new record, it can be a challenging and experimental listen, but there is much to be enjoyed with the project. The album might not have the post-punk sound of their earlier albums, and it might not have a stoner-esque vibe as their previous work, but it crosses unseen boundaries as anything they have ever done. From the hard hitting "Four Out Of Five" to the melodic "The Ultracheese" and "One Point Perspective", Arctic Monkeys truly challenge listeners unlike anything they have ever produced.

With a lot of experimentation, not everything turns out stellar for the band. At times the album feels very sparse, to the point where it can start to get dull and bland. Arctic Monkeys try to annoy listeners with "Golden Trunks", a tasteless track has the worst opening riff on the entire project, one that drags out for too long. Moments like in "Batphone" and "American Sports" feel underwritten and not exciting as any of the other tracks on the LP. Arctic Monkeys reinvent themselves with a new direction, and their efforts pay off for the most part.

Arctic Monkeys have produced another intriguing project that has amazing moments, one that stands on the side with Humbug and Suck It And See. Sure, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino can serve as a tedious listen at times, but in its entirety it stands as a sonic and mature achievement within the bands discography. Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino might not make you want to get on the dance floor, but it might make you want to take a trip to an illusionary space hotel.

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7/10

Released: 2018

Label: Domino Recording Company

Favorite tracks: Star Treatment, One Point Perspective, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, Four Out Of Five, She Looks Like Fun, The Ultracheese

Worst track: Golden Trunks