The Mosh Pit: Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino by Arctic Monkeys

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The most recent album by British alt-rock outfit Arctic Monkeys marks a decidedly interesting leave from their usual style. Previous albums, including the acclaimed AM, encapsulated a grungy rock sound with bizarre moods and lyrical themes. In Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino, Arctic Monkeys take an entirely different approach.

The album is, in fact, a concept, chronicling the moon landing being faked by Stanley Kubrick and a luxurious resort being built on the moon. Here reside the many different eccentric characters that the songs of the album narrate.

Lyrically, the album delivers a very interesting performance. Vocalist Alex Turner sings in what is nearly spoken word, with lounge singer sultriness that is reminiscent of musicians such as David Bowie. The lyrics are crisp and poetic and detail the story of various failed businessmen, entertainers and creeps who have fled to the isolated hotel and casino.

Each song seems to cover a different character, which is a very fresh approach to structuring an album, and wholly different to previous Arctic Monkeys albums. Instrumentally, the songs are also pretty interesting. They have a sexiness to them that puts a vision of the casino they detail in one’s mind; bright and shimmering on the surface, but hiding a grotesque underbelly. In this case, the thrumming bass squirms relentlessly under the quiet strums of the guitar and the plucky synthesizers.

Songs have unpredictable song structures as well. Instead of following a verse-chorus-verse-chorus pattern, they instead forge their own way with changing tempos, keys and interesting bridges.

Unfortunately, the album lacks some variety. Especially towards the beginning, the songs tend to bleed into one another, and the sound never quite strays from the rut it digs itself for any one song to shine above the rest. The performance itself is good, especially vocals and bass, but it doesn’t quite pop amidst the repetitive sound of the album. Towards the latter half, songs begin to get weirder and more interesting. Science Fiction and She Looks Like Fun are edgy and dark and serve as a welcome breath of fresh air.

In general, Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino is a fun listen and an impressive new turn for Arctic Monkeys. Where it lacks in originality and variety, it makes up for in sleek lyrics and creative themes. If you’re a fan of Arctic Monkeys or want to get into them, give it a listen.