While they are known for their heavy rock music and edgy tunes, the Arctic Monkeys seventh studio album “The Car” is a step in a new direction as seen in lyrics and sound. The album consists of ten melodious tracks that are primarily written by frontman Alex Turner. The album features loud strings which are frequently heard  throughout their discography, but it also presents a new groovy sound, as it commonly references the disco era through objects like “mirror balls” and “disco strobes.” 

Imagery is a staple for Turner when it comes to songwriting. The opening track, “There’d Better Be A Mirrorball,” paints a picture of the narrator walking to their car after an inevitable breakup with their partner. The harsh keys used in the introduction gave the track a spooky, yet melancholy atmosphere due to the heavy topics heard in the song. Subsequent to this is a funky and upbeat track that discusses the narrator’s feelings towards different scenarios. “I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am” features illustrations of looking out on the French Riviera. As peaceful as that sounds, the narrator feels disconnected from society, because rather than experiencing everyday activities, they are living in a lavish lifestyle that they feel they don’t fit in with. 

While the tracks display a unique use of imagery, many of them sound very similar. In fact, sometimes I couldn’t even tell when one track ended and the next started. “Big Ideas” discusses the same concept seen throughout the album of shying away from their old, people pleasing sound, and evolving into their true style. The slow pace and drum beats paired with piano notes are often seen in songs like “Jet Skis On The Moat.” Unlike the themes seen in “Big Ideas,” this track highlights the idea of a dwindling friendship. Lyrics like “Or are you just happy to sit there and watch while the paint job dries?” demonstrate how the narrator is asking their friend if they are ready to give up on their friendship.

Despite the drastic evolution from their debut in 2006, the band still pays homage to their previous albums. “The Car” still features heavy use of the piano which is also seen throughout the entirety of their sixth studio album “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino,” but also the mellowness of their fourth studio album “Suck It and See.” Subtle references to their other albums like “Favourite Worst Nightmare” and “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” were evident in songs like “There’d Better Be A Mirrorball” and “Mr Schwartz.” Although the slowness of the album was boring at times, I found pleasure in the descriptiveness and melodies of the tracks. The dense topics of growth and desire for materialistic objects made this album even more complex compared to the standard pop album consisting of love songs and superficial tracks, which makes this album worthy of four stars out of five.