by Adam Hacker
photo by Zakery Michael
Perhaps NME’s favorite band for the last 12 years or so, Arctic Monkeys have finally come back in full force with the spacey, relaxed, but thrilling LP Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino. Whereas many artists seem to be making the most intense music of their careers in this white-hot socio-political climate, Alex Turner and Co. react to the times with a daringly abstract album that touches on social commentary but avoids being too on the nose. Delving into lounge, jazz, and electronica, the band that created Tranquility doesn’t seem concerned with how anyone looks on the dancefloor. In fact, they make it pretty clear that they’re more interested in getting tacos on the moon (as heard in the album’s title track). Arctic Monkeys have proven to be surprisingly chameleonic as their career progresses and clearly fans can’t wait to see what surface they land on next…whether that be lunar or terrestrial.
