Although Music Web
AM (2013) characterized Arctic Monkeys as an album on which Arctic Monkeys left their sound unchanged, it was from here that the eternally 16-year-old Britpop kids really matured. The evolution really came on
Tranquility Hotel Base + Casino, with frontman Alex Turner suddenly emerging as a true crooner. The sound of his side project
The Last Shadow Puppets on this album seeped
… heavily into orchestral sixties pop - without too many guitars. That line is now continued with The Car, on which Turner and his companions gracefully grab from a ton of strings, soul, funk and retro pop. Songs about love, longing and doubt are enigmatically performed by Turner, and once again he proves he can handle introspective lyrics. The evolution this band went through delivers another fine album, which is miles away from their early work, but at least as haunting. (YvQ)more
