If you guys have been waiting with baited breath for the Arctic Monkeys to start releasing new music, then you’re in luck! We’ve heard for some time now that the indie rock band are in the works of creating a new album, but there was no concrete release date in sight for this project. However, we now know some more information, plus they gave the fans what we wanted – a new song to hold us over!
So upon my first listen of their single “There’d Better Be a Mirrorball”, it reminded me of their previous album Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino. That album was the first where they adopted this entirely new style of, “jazzy easy-listening music with crooning vocals, performing at night in a vintage hotel, with the patrons drinking glasses of whiskey”, which is very specific but that’s the vibe I get.
If I’m being completely transparent here, I was not a fan of that album. I am all for bands changing up their sound and doing something different, but that album just didn’t really satisfy the music lover in me. And I thought that while the concept was interesting, they could have gone harder.
Back to the Mirrorball song, they’re still clearly in their 70s era, taking inspiration in all facets from that decade – not only in their aesthetics but where the music is concerned. Mirrorball starts out slow with a light piano, some nice violins, and soft drums. It doesn’t really get much heavier than this. However, it does build up gracefully over the course of the song. Alex lends his smooth vocals nicely to his song, I must say.
While this definitely deviates from the raw indie rock vibe we all know the Arctic Monkeys for, over the years they are no stranger to experimentation. I just don’t really know for sure if this specific easy-listening musical direction will stick. But they seem to be having fun recording these tracks, which is the most important thing. And switching gears does help to keep the creative juices flowing, so i’m all for that.
I suppose just for my specific ears and personal tastes, while the song is fine, it’s just not my favorite. Perhaps some of you out there will love the song! It is pretty nonchalant and quite relaxing, so if that’s the mood you’re into then you maybe really enjoy this song. And I’d have to jump to the possible conclusion that their new album called “The Car”, which will be coming out on October 21, will sound very similar in theme to Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino. So whoever out there was a fan of that album will most likely be a fan of this new project.
You still have a chance to pre-order a physical copy of The Car right now if you want it on vinyl or CD, they also have some t-shirts and other merch for the album. So grab yourself a copy while supplies last!
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