Just moments ago it was revealed that the highly-anticipated fifth studio album from the Arctic Monkeys will be released on May 11.
However despite the revelation, folk on the internet seem just as interested in the new album hype as they do about the band’s new appearance.
To coincide with the statement, the Arctic Monkeys posted a recent photograph of themselves to their social media channels and it’s fair to say they all, besides drummer Matt Helders, look almost unrecognisable.
First of all let’s just remind ourselves of what the four piece looked like just over 10 years ago:
Now the band in their early 30’s look like this:
That’s quite a difference. They look like their advertising a new aftershave – and I’m not the only one thinking so.
Definitely looking forward to the new Arctic Monkeys album but this promotional picture makes them look a bit like a 70's tribute band going through a mid-life crisis? pic.twitter.com/I5NdVmiwVT
— Priya Ramesh (@Priya8Ramesh) April 5, 2018
Every single Arctic Monkey looks like Richard Branson https://t.co/voIQRRIaLu
— Andrew Griffin (@_andrew_griffin) April 5, 2018
Arctic Monkeys look like they’re about to start presenting highlights on BT Sport pic.twitter.com/WEFN5oUJMF
— chris harrison (@ChrisNibs) April 5, 2018
Makes me quite sad that the Arctic Monkeys now look like an off-brand Bullingdon Club pic.twitter.com/ra4x1rOKzA
— Alex Wingrave (@AlexWingrave) April 5, 2018
Despite the fact that they look like a 4 piece magic act, I’m diging Arctic Monkeys’ new look pic.twitter.com/5EhK5oGVkk
— Naomi (@YouthquakerMimi) April 5, 2018
the arctic monkeys all look like stepfathers now pic.twitter.com/GGwXA9Kjk0
— fun fact over here (@trophy_uncle) April 5, 2018
All the lads running riot in TKMaxx and Primark now looking to get that new Arctic Monkeys ‘look’ because they’ve just realised that Burtons isn’t really on the high street anymore. pic.twitter.com/6ExQjnAoqI
— Mick Convey (@nalaknip) April 5, 2018
The Arctic Monkeys look like they're about to star in a new Godfather film. And it looks fucking grand. pic.twitter.com/kmjYSPWzLc
— Tomora Borealis (@TommyStoners) April 5, 2018
It looks like @jimmybullard has joined the @ArcticMonkeys. pic.twitter.com/67TqBgGf5S
— Blane Chapman (@blanechapman) April 5, 2018
Wanna feel old? This is what the Arctic Monkeys look like now. pic.twitter.com/YuVMT9SJyH
— Tal Rosenberg (@talrosenberg) April 5, 2018
Alex sits like a good young princess and looks kinda like a missing man from Jumanji with expensive clothes
Yeah but still kinda sexy under this beard#arcticmonkeys pic.twitter.com/nbZIpiWkbU— Judy_Halt (@HaltJudy) April 5, 2018
And my personal favourite:
The news first broke of the new album release date via a rogue Amazon listing, before iTunes Japan gave us artwork and a full tracklisting.
And what’s even better – you can check out a snippet of their new work on the Arctic Monkey’s YouTube channel which has been released in the past few moments.
If that 40 second snippet of noise above is anything to go by – their new sound is completely unique to anything they’ve done before – however, I guess this was to be expected as the Arctic Monkeys have forever been fiddling with their sound ever since day one.
Although at heart they’re still that young and angry collection of Sheffield lads who used to play The Grapes, Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino certainly has a new feel to it.
A press release for the album claims:
[The album] finds the band intent on continuing to explore new musical terrain with each album. ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’ ups the ante in a big way; it is a bold and brilliant album reflecting Turner’s ever more comprehensive creative vision.
With its release date on May 11, it means the album will be with us just before summer. I imagine the tracks will be played loud at countless boozy house parties under the sun.
Check out the tracklist below:
Star Treatment
One Point Perspective
American Sports
Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino
Golden Trunks
Four Out Of Five
The World’s First Ever Monster Truck Front Flip
Science Fiction
She Looks Like Fun
Batphone
The Ultracheese
Now of course, as of yet, these are merely a random selection of words. But there’s bound to be a handful of absolute classics there. Will it be Golden Trunks, will it be American Sports? Will Science Fiction be the next Fake Tales of San Francisco, or will Batphone be Crying Lightning?
Who knows? Only time will tell.
Considering it’s been quite the wait since their last album, let us just hope they’re back to their best. They’ve had enough time to get it right.
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