Pomegranate Seeds 7/10

The renowned alternative rock group Arctic Monkeys, have returned after a five-year hiatus with their seventh album, “The Car.” Their last album, “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino,” showed a vast adjustment in their sound going from heavily guitar driven alternative rock to calm and relaxed lounge music, which returns for their new record.  This time they really lay in on the ethereal dream-like aesthetic in most of the songs. You could just lay there and experience pure bliss.

Before the release of the album, the band gave us three singles being, “There Better Be A Mirrorball,” “Body Paint,” and “I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am.”

The first song sets the whole tone of the album. The instrumental sounds smooth which pairs very well with Alex Turner’s vocals. The next song starts with a bouncy guitar riff that reappears throughout the song. It is followed by a great combination of piano and other string instruments.

Piano melodies are very prominent once again which appear in all the songs. Along with the piano, string arrangements done by Alex Turner, James Ford, and composer Bridget Samuels are also really a big part of the album as they add some orchestral beauty to every track.

The third song of the tracklist, “Sculptures Of Anything Goes,” has a sort of post punk vibe similar to some of Joy Division’s music. You can hear it in the drums, bass, and keyboard. It still offers the same large dreamlike landscape with the how the instrumental reverberates around you.

Some of the songs also have a funky vibe to them which is first seen in the third single of the album. The funk sound is done in a way where it does not interfere with the mellow environment. Other songs that include this are, “Jet Skis On The Moat,” the before mentioned, “Body Paint,” and the song, “Big Ideas.” Guitarist Jamie cook uses a wah pedal to achieve the effect heard on the riffs. The guitar while not being featured too often on all the tracks, takes the full attention of the listener when it does appear.  The riffs and solos are done beautifully and still fit the overall sound of the album.

On the topic of guitars, the song, “Hello You,” shows the most similarity to their hit album in 2013, “AM”. The guitar is heard in most of the song playing these nice licks and riffs throughout, that remind of their biggest album. Even with that factoring in the song still contains the beautiful string arrangements and piano that the rest of the album has which separates from their previous work.

The title track of the album contains a great acoustic riff accompanied by a drum beat straight out of a spaghetti western.  To add on to that the string section and guitar solo really help lay in to this western movie aesthetic. You could just imagine a montage of shots of someone riding horseback through many environments trying to get somewhere far away.

Alex Turner’s vocals fit the tone of the music all throughout. The album has a very consistent sound. In my opinion it is a bit to consistent which makes the music blend together causing the majority of it to sound very similar. To some the slower tempo of the music may become boring but to others it is just what they need to fit the mood. The production on the album by James Ford is done very well. He made the songs feel like they surround and serenade you. Overall the album was a positive experience.

I give it a 7/10.