Introduction

Arctic Monkeys, an English rock band formed in Sheffield in 2002, comprises lead singer Alex Turner, drummer Matt Helders, guitarist Jamie Cook, and bassist Nick O'Malley. The original bassist, Andy Nicholson, departed the band in 2006, shortly after the release of their debut album.

Recognized as one of the pioneering bands to gain public attention through the Internet, Arctic Monkeys symbolized a potential shift in the promotion and marketing of new musical acts. Their debut album, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" (2006), garnered widespread critical acclaim, topping the UK Albums Chart and setting a record as the fastest-selling debut album in British chart history. It received the Best British Album award at the 2007 Brit Awards and is regarded as one of the greatest debut albums.

The band's second album, "Favourite Worst Nightmare" (2007), also received critical acclaim and won the Best British Album award at the 2008 Brit Awards. Subsequent releases, "Humbug" (2009) and "Suck It and See" (2011), were well-received but didn't match the impact of their initial works.

Arctic Monkeys achieved international fame with their critically acclaimed fifth album, "AM" (2013), featuring the global hit "Do I Wanna Know?". The album topped multiple Billboard charts and earned a 3× platinum certification in the US. At the 2014 Brit Awards, it won British Album of the Year. Their sixth album, "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" (2018), marked a departure from their guitar-heavy sound, incorporating more piano elements. The seventh album, "The Car," released in 2022, received nominations for the Ivor Novello Awards and the Mercury Prize in 2023. It also earned a Best Alternative Music Album nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, their third overall and second consecutive Grammy nomination after "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino."

In the UK, Arctic Monkeys made history as the first independent-label band to debut at number one with their first five albums. They have won seven Brit Awards, securing Best British Group and British Album of the Year three times. Their accolades include a Mercury Prize for "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not," an Ivor Novello Award, and 20 NME Awards. The band has received nine Grammy Award nominations and multiple Mercury Prize nominations. Both "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" and "AM" are featured in NME's and various editions of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time lists.

Arctic Monkeys' musical style is notably eclectic, traversing various genres throughout their discography.

Arctic Monkeys' musical style is characterized by a diverse range of genres, showcasing their evolution across albums. Descriptions of their sound include indie rock, garage rock, post-punk revival, psychedelic rock, alternative rock, lounge pop, post-Britpop, stoner rock, guitar pop, post-punk, punk rock, and hard rock. A defining element in their music is lead singer Alex Turner's intricate and swiftly delivered lyrics, delivered in a distinct Sheffield accent that became synonymous with the band's early years.

Influenced by punk poet John Cooper Clarke, Turner's lyrics explore human behavior in nightclubs and the band's hometown culture, as evident in their debut album, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not." The themes persist in the follow-up album, "Favourite Worst Nightmare," where the band matured both lyrically and musically, delving into failed relationships, nostalgia, and the passage of time.

The third album, "Humbug," marked a sonic shift influenced by producer Josh Homme, introducing elements of psychedelic rock, hard rock, stoner rock, and desert rock. "Suck It and See," the fourth album, displayed a mix of styles with increased maturity. The band's fifth album, "AM," blended psychedelic rock, blues rock, indie rock, hard rock, and hip hop influences, showcasing a diverse sonic palette.

The sixth album, "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino," departed from the guitar-heavy sound, embracing a more complex, piano-based composition. Described as psychedelic pop, lounge pop, space pop, and glam rock, it showcased Turner's shift to piano-based songwriting.
Their seventh album, "The Car," finds a comfortable middle ground between the rock sound of "AM" and the slower style of "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino." Spanning genres like art rock, orchestral rock, lounge pop, baroque pop, funk, and jazz elements, the album reflects the band's commitment to following their instincts and evolving with each release.

Influence

According to Vice, Arctic Monkeys have attained a level of success and adoration in Britain that positions them as an unstoppable force and arguably the UK's most significant and culturally impactful band. The article notes that they have achieved consistency throughout their career, standing out as a band cherished by diverse demographics, from avid music enthusiasts to casual listeners with varying tastes. English poet John Cooper Clarke even commended them as "the nearest thing" to the Beatles, while Radio X recognized Arctic Monkeys as one of the best bands of all time.

The band's groundbreaking impact is acknowledged, particularly after the success of their debut album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not." Critics credit Arctic Monkeys with revolutionizing the music discovery landscape, building a fanbase through internet-sharing of demos—a practice that was unconventional at the time. The album received acclaim for its portrayal of British youth culture, revitalizing British indie music, and earning them the title of "Our Generation's Most Important Band" by NME.

Arctic Monkeys' 2013 album "AM" is hailed by NME as the soundtrack for countless social experiences, defining an era. Johnny Davis of Esquire notes that the band has uniquely assumed a defining role for two separate periods with "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" and "AM." Laurence Bell, co-founder of the band's label Domino Records, draws parallels between Arctic Monkeys and iconic bands like The Who and The Stones, citing their ability to capture different generations.

The band has received praise from a spectrum of musicians, including Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, Metallica's Lars Ulrich, and rapper RZA. Bob Dylan made special efforts to see them live, and David Bowie described them as a "nice solid Brit band." Damon Albarn considers them "the last great guitar band," emphasizing their significance.
Cultural theorist Mark Fisher delves into Arctic Monkeys' impact, discussing their role in the concept of hauntology and the "lost futures" of modernity. Fisher notes their seemingly timeless and retro quality, challenging traditional notions of categorizing music as "retro."
Arctic Monkeys' influence extends to a wide array of contemporary artists, including Black Midi, Blossoms, Fontaines D.C., Wallows, The 1975, Halsey, Yungblud, Lewis Capaldi, Louis Tomlinson, Mahalia, Arlo Parks, Sam Fender, Billie Eilish, Bring Me the Horizon, Måneskin, Hozier, Slowthai, JID, Earthgang, and others, showcasing their enduring impact on the music landscape.