Musically, there are bits of The Stone Roses, "What's The Story Morning Glory", and "Nevermind". As catchy as those reference points are, it's the songwriting that has won the band a fiercely dedicated following; a mix of the observational storytelling of
It was inevitable that Alex Turner would incorporate the loungey swagger of his busman's holiday the Last Shadow Puppets into his main gig of the Arctic Monkeys, yet the soft louche touch of Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino comes as something of a shock.
After their debut album, Arctic Monkeys returned with an EP of completely new material, breaking all marketing plans in the progress. It ranges from ultra-aggressive goth noise to the slacker-pop.
While this sophomore release is unmistakably Arctic Monkeys, everything's a little more muscular and aggressive as if some sort of critical mass is achieved through skillful song craft and sharp arrangements until an explosive release of energy.