Arctic Monkeys, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino | Album Review 💿

British alternative rock darlings Arctic Monkeys return in conceptual, experimental, and quirky mode on their sixth studio album, ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.’

After a five-year hiatus, British alternative rock darlings Arctic Monkeys finally return.  AM (2013), their fifth studio album, was a resounding success, becoming their sole platinum-certified album the US. Can the highly anticipated, sixth studio album, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino give Alex Turner and company another big success? AMand Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino are two starkly different albums, even if both are well-rounded.  Because it’s such a quirky, strange effort, it wouldn’t shock if Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino doesn’t reach the same heights.  That said, don’t let quirky and strange dissuade you from its magic.

“Star Treatment”

The loungy vibes of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino commence with song number one, ✓ “Star Treatment.” Notably, “Star Treatment” features one of the album’s signature riffs, which just happens to trend jazzier (piano-based) than rock-oriented.  Lyrically, Alex Turner kicks things off with a bang: “I just wanted to be one of the Strokes.” He’s being honest. Throughout, Turner reminisces on the past (particularly the 70s), which is years prior to his existence (he was born in 1986).  While six minutes is an incredibly ambitious listen, particularly as the opener, Turner sounds terrific, singing with expression and passion, while the throwback production and vibes are incredible.  Early-on, the Leonard Cohen songwriting influence is perceptible. 

“One Point Perspective”

The piano ostinato is among the first things that stands out on follow-up “One Point Perspective.” That’s expected of course, given the emphasis Arctic Monkeys place on piano throughout Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. Opening lyric “Dancing in my underpants, I’m gonna run for government” also packs a punch.  Much like the opener (and ultimately the entire LP), the lyrics and concept are odd, but interesting.  “One Point Perspective” is a much skinnier package than “Star Treatment,” at three-and-a-half-minutes as opposed to six. ✓ “American Sports” is short and sweet, exploring political issues throughout its course.  On the first verse, Turner sings:

“So, when you gaze at planet Earth from outer space
Does it wipe that stupid look off of your face?
I saw this aura over the battleground states.”

Clearly, Turner is referencing the shock of the Donald Trump election in 2016, a ubiquitous topic. On the second verse, he references political ineptness with lyrics like, “Breaking news, they take the truth and make it fluid,” and “Soundtracked by a chorus of ‘You don’t know what you’re doing.’” The best lyric, arguably:

“All of my most muscular regrets
Exploded behind my eyes like American sports.”

“Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino”

Minor key title track ✓  🤩 “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino” ranks among the crème de la crème, arguably the crowning achievement.  Turner is singing about an imaginary hotel and casino, possibly on the Moon.  According to an EW interview, Turner, referencing the title track states, “…Whether we’re actually talking about a sort of hotel-casino complex on the moon or not is debatable.”  Weird to the core, “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino” encompasses politics, philosophy, technology… it’s something. The relatively brief, distorted, minor-key follow-up,  “Golden Trunks,” blends love, politics, and wrestling.

“Four Out of Five” 

“Advertise in imaginative ways, start your free trial today.” Like the title track, ✓ “Four Out of Five”is in the running for the crowning achievement of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.  That’s surprising given the fact that at its simplest, “Four Out of Five” is about the rating that the hotel central to this album receives, specifically for its taqueria.  Nonetheless, Arctic Monkeys make this record incredibly intriguing lyrically, musically, and vocally.  It’s not surprising “Four Out of Five” ends up being the first single – it’s arguably the most commercial moment on a non-commercial album.

“Take it easy for a little while
Come and stay with us, it’s such an easy flight
Cute new places keep on popping up…
I put a taqueria on the roof, it was well-reviewed,
Four stars out of five
And that’s unheard of.”

From a taqueria in a hotel and casino on the moon, Arctic Monkeys move on to “The World’s First Ever Monster Truck Front Flip,” named after a headline. While the monster truck doesn’t play a gargantuan role on this song, technology does.  The central lyric: “You push the button and we’ll do the rest.” Naturally, science fiction is central to the energetic, slickly produced “Science Fiction.” Within the production, the sci-fi sound effect (synthesizer) appears throughout, adding an eerie, mysterious tilt on this minor-key number. The riffs truly shine throughout the course of the record.  

“She Looks Like Fun”

Highlight ✓ “She Looks Like Fun” sounds suspectfrom the start. The titular lyric sounds like sexual innuendo, even if Turner isn’t saying anything particular sexual.  That’s part of the modus operandi, clearly, as the band makes a statement about the ills of social networking and the judgmental nature and insensitive of some people. On the second verse, Turner delivers the biting lyric, “There ain’t no limit to the length of the dickheads we can be.” There’s also a colorful bridge:

“No one’s on the streets
We move it all online as of March
I’m so full of shite
I need to spend less time stood around in bars
Waffling on to strangers all about martial arts…”

Penultimate record ✓ “Batphone”continues and ultimately surpasses the awesomeness of “She Looks Like Fun.” The dangers of social media and technology continues to be front and center, with Turner asserting, “I’ll be by the Batphone if you need to get a hold.” Besides the clever lyrics, it’s the harmonic scheme and the palette of sounds that truly stands out about this record.  Piano, organ, synths, distorted guitar – it’s all terrific ear candy. Turner deserves mad credit vocally. “The Ultracheese” concludes Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino in crooning, loungy fashion, not far removed from how the album began.  Like everything else, “The Ultracheese” has some truly unique lyrics, much of which dip into Turner’s personal feelings.

Final Thoughts

There is no denying that Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is strange – no denying it in the least.  But, strange doesn’t mean bad – it means ambitious, left-of-center, and willingness to experiment. No, it’s not quite as fun or straightforward as the brilliant AM that precedes it, but there’s something endearing and refreshing yet vintage about this sci-fi, lounge-driven blend of alternative/indie and traditional rock.  Alex Turner sounds fantastic for the most part, even if occasionally he’s a bit too indulgent in the weirdness.  Won’t be for everyone but could be that album that appeals to more folks later on down the line.  🤩 BEST OF 2018  🤩

✓ Gems: “Star Treatment,” “American Sports,”  🤩 “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino,” “Four Out of Five,” “She Looks Like Fun” & “Batphone”

Arctic Monkeys • Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino • Domino • Release: 5.11.18

Photo Credit: Domino