From fluorescent adolescents to Britain's most revered indie rockers, Arctic Monkeys has proven no strangers to new directions - 2013's AM melded slinky R&B sensibilities to their spiky post-punk leanings.
Yet their first effort in half a decade is bound to bemuse even the die-hards; driven by the concept of a hotel on the moon, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino sees their muscular riffage relegated to the sidelines, as Alex Turner descends into louche lounge-lizardry in what is ostensibly a solo effort.
Though as slick as his quiff, fans may be frustrated that their iridescent energy has been tempered so.
Single download: Star Treatment
For those who like: Father John Misty, Serge Gainsbourg
- John Hayden
