Review: Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

Arctic Monkeys released a new album entitled “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino” on the 11th of 2018. It’s their first release since 2013’s AM.

Here’s my review of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

Arguably one of humanity’s biggest accomplishments in the twentieth century was to develop the technology to send humans to the moon. Since the dawn of time, humans were mesmerised by this shining space object orbiting our planet. During the infamous space race, technological advancement was collectively driven towards this absolute astounding feat. On 20 July 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on earth’s moon for the first time.

The landing site identified by the team at NASA was named “Tranquility Base”, contextually sharing a title with the sixth album release of the Arctic Monkeys. The album title, extended to include the words “Hotel & Casino”, has obvious connotations to progress, experimentation and pushing boundaries never touched before.

This is exactly what the band achieved with this album rendition. Alex Turner created this album almost entirely by himself using piano as the platform, from his Los Angeles home, which offers a look into what a solo album from this musical genius would have sounded like. Lyrically the album is magnificent, with splashes of lyrical comedy, drunken intellectualism and border line anarchical artistry. The boundaries the band has pushed in creating this album is astoundingly admirable.

A solid two or more journeys through this album will provide you with the insight into the shear talent this band possesses. Experimentally the band has gone above and beyond, which is the mark of artists endevouring towards setting up the proverbial “Tranquility Base” on the moon, for a new generation of musical genius and talent to build from the platform they have created.

Criticism from all corners of the planet earth bombarded the band, which ranged from disappointment associated with comparing this master piece with previous rock & roll albums produced by the band. Bluntly, many fans of the band would not admire this album for this exact reason, constantly expecting them to create the same old music the band became famous for, instead of the Bowie-ish sound many have objected to.

Musically as well as instrumentally, there are very few flaws in this album. For the objective listener, there are many beautiful gems in this album, which would be sinfully missed when compared to their previous music styles.

If you were looking for some new rock & roll, in an era where good rock & roll albums are becoming far a few, you would solely be disappointed. If you set out to experience the journey this band has taken towards breaking musical boundaries, by jumping onto the rocket to Tranquility Base, you will be left in awe for the creation of this album.

Well, there you have it, my review of “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino”. Do you agree or disagree with my views? Leave a comment below and let me know.

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