Well, well, well. Here we are. Undoubtedly the year’s most
controversial album, potentially the most controversial of the decade, Arctic
Monkeys return divided opinion like nothing else in recent years, but overtime,
everyone has learnt to love it. Or well, at least some of it.
Turner’s lyrical prowess has
never been better, writing directly whilst still managing to mask his
insecurities and societal critiques with moonscape metaphors. Set on the
moon, in an LA-inspired hotel, it’s a daring, complex masterpiece. Lyrically it
borders on poetry at times whilst the focus on the piano adds another
dimension to the Artic Monkeys’ discography. ‘Golden Trunks’ is a beautiful love-song but one that tricks the listener into thinking it’s a political
protest through a cheeky swipe at Donald Trump whilst ‘She Looks Like Fun’ is a
pop at social media culture and the vanity of Instagram. ‘Start Treament’ sees
Turner turn lounge-singer, switching the focus onto himself and his past mistakes
and album closer, the Leonard-Cohen-inspired, ‘The Ultracheese’ is superbly
structured, Turner making more observations on society.
AM 2.0 it is not, TBH+C is an innovative attack on modern day society submerged in lunar lexicon and lounge sounds. The boys from Sheffield done good.
