Rating: 5/10

Arctic Monkeys’s long-awaited album, “The Car”, was finally released on October 21. Full of soft sounds, the album is the band’s seventh studio release and seems to be a rejection of their past rock-heavy discography.

Instead of dramatic beats and screaming vocals one may find in a rock song, “The Car” takes a much more mellow approach. Don’t expect a “505” style beat drop in any of these songs. Rather, expect something you would listen to while getting ready for bed: slow, relaxing, and beautifully produced.

Although the album sounds lush, with amazing guitar strings and lovely vocals, it lacks creativity. While the first song of the album, “There’d Better Be A Mirrorball”, is a unique take at an opener—with no vocals for the first minute and a half—the rest of the album sounds indistinguishable. The entire order of songs could be switched up, and I wouldn’t have even noticed. 

No one can argue that Alex Turner is an extremely talented vocalist if you understand what he’s saying (which no one does half the time). Yet, “The Car” comes across as a collection of scattered thoughts, with no running theme or connection. And, lets face it: Turner is no David Bowie. 

Maybe that’s why it seems discombobulated even though all the songs sound the same; who’s the girl we’re falling in love with? What’s the midlife crisis we’re going through? There’s no journey the listener is being taken on. They’re just being treated to Alex Turner moaning in their ear about being lonely.

The album name actually perfectly explains it–this is a collection of songs I would play in the background while driving. It’s not a sing-along album full of great beats and iconic lyrics; if you want that, go back to “Favorite Worst Nightmare”. It’s an album to play while talking to your friends or doing your homework. •