Humbug

by Arctic Monkeys

It is a commonly held view that bands and artists should look to work out their formula, nail it, then move on as others play catch up. Radiohead have been doing this for years, to great acclaim, as have Muse. When Alex Turner released the debut album from his Last Shadow Puppets side-project, he hinted that he, too, was ready to take things further. With Humbug, Arctic Monkeys' third album, they've made the leap, and in doing so they have made their most mature record to date by far. Light years away from the tinny thrash of Whatever...'s rapid-fire drums and power chords, Humbug has the sound of a band growing in direct correlation to its member's journey into adulthood. They seem determined not to repeat themselves, whether or not that's what the fans want. The overwhelming hype surrounding them in 2005 has died down considerably, and though anything new will be compared to Whatever..., Humbug will succeed in marking a new chapter in the band's history.

The cinematic influences that shone through the Last Shadow Puppets record come into play immediately; 'My Propellor' runs along the first of many spaghetti western-influenced guitar melodies, before first single 'Crying Lightning' cements the idea that this is a very different beast to what's come before. The sound is much darker, with a sinister vibe that is felt throughout the album. The fuzzed-up bass is pushed front and center throughout these early stages before Matt Helder's drumming takes over as the album's driving force later on. The overriding sense, though, is that there's not one bit of uncertainty here: this progression is as natural as can be, and the band are in total control. Turner, in particular, has completed his transformation from a cocky Yorkshire upstart with a clever line in rhyming couplets to a fully fledged singer, although some may be disappointed that aside from 'Secret Door' and 'Pretty Visitors', the social commentary of old has been tempered slightly.

Some will feel that this focus on not repeating past glories and trying new ideas may have come at the detriment of the songs themselves. It's true that there's nothing as immediately catchy on Humbug as '...Dancefloor', though one suspects Humbug will follow the path of Favourite Worst Nightmare and work best after repeated listening. The confidence that shines through these ten tracks eclipses even the much-discussed presence of Josh Homme behind the mixing desk; the odd vocal melody here and there is all that appears to be contributed ideas-wise from the American - Humbug certainly isn't the bastard offshoot of Queens of the Stone Age many were expecting. All great bands have an album that divides their fanbase right down the middle, and for Arctic Monkeys, this is that album. Many will mourn the passing of their signature furious post-punk sound, while many others will embrace this new chapter wholeheartedly. As for the band, they knew what they wanted to do, and they've gone and done it – could this be the sound the Arctic Monkeys are remembered for?