10 years since its initial release, Arctic Monkeys’ 5th full-length LP ‘AM’ remains as iconic and popular as ever, Jay Kirby reviews this staple album's legacy ten years later.
With tracks like Arabella and R U Mine? continuing to find their homes in nightclubs and house parties. Looking deeper, however, the question remains as to whether the album has the depth and vigour to justify its own longevity.
The strengths of AM are obvious from the immediate pounding rhythms of its opener: Arctic Monkeys are clearly masters of the hook, crafting some of the catchiest melodies and ear-wormiest choruses of the decade. With the majority of tracks here centring around punchy ‘four-on-the-floor’ drumming and endlessly addictive hooks and riffs, it’s no wonder that these tunes captured the attention- and then the imagination- of the general public with such force. Whether it’s the effortless simplicity of Do I Wanna Know? or the hypnotic repetition of I Wanna Be Yours, one can’t help but sing along.
This accessibility is no doubt the main driver of the album’s continued popularity, and yet it may also be its Achilles’ heel. Taking a closer look, it becomes apparent that the arrangements here lack any significant complexity or depth beyond their surface level charm. As an example, take Do I Wanna Know: this tune has undoubtedly grown into one of the most recognisable rock songs of all time, with its main guitar hook ringing out across the world. It’s a great shame, then, to realise that the verse’s bass line and the chorus’ vocal melody are near identical to it, meaning that the listener is forced to hear the same simple line repeated over and over (and over and over) for just under five minutes.
This focus on mass appeal seems to have seeped into other aspects of the album as well, such as its focus on slower, less energetic grooves. This can work to great effect; the ironically titled piano ballad No. 1 Party Anthem, for instance, is a soulful jam with some tasteful melodies that don’t overstay their welcome. Unfortunately, AM does also wander into more traditional rock and roll and points and is often ill-equip to do so. The worst offender in this regard would have to be Arabella, which not only shamefully rips off one of the most iconic Black Sabbath riffs of all time, but also greatly disappoints as it builds to a guitar solo best described as amateurish, spineless, or just plain lazy.
It would be remiss, however, to write off the album entirely on these criticisms. Snap Out Of It is undoubtedly the standout, with the group managing to shirk off their mystique of ‘cool’ just long enough to deliver a satisfying and upbeat rocker. Complete with a high energy chorus and some delightfully layered backing vocals, the tune injects some desperately needed fun into an otherwise plodding section of the track list. These backing vocals are a staple of the LP, and a successful one at that- ‘Knee Socks’ also uses them to great effect, with its seductive bridge being quite possibly the most brilliant moment on the entire project.
With its popularity newly renewed thanks to TikTok’s discovery of I Wanna Be Yours, AM is set for another 10 years of praise and celebration. Even the most close-minded, stubborn rockers will find their feet tapping to tunes like R U Mine? or Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High? Ultimately, however, the album lacks the energy or passion of other Arctic Monkeys’ projects and suffers under the weight of its own accessibility. It’s a mixed bag for sure, and one deserving of far more criticism than it often receives. At the end of the day, however, it’s still a masterclass in catchiness, and one we’ll all be jamming to for a good while yet.
Jay Kirby
Edited by Olivia Hannant
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