Breaking Down ‘AM’ — Arctic Monkeys’ Hit Album [Album Review]

The hit album AM released by Arctic Monkeys back on the 9th of September 2013 was an immediate commercial success, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart back in 2013. The album was the bands fifth release helped them grow a larger international audience, especially in the US. Many would collectively agree that the hit album is now widely regarded as one of the defining albums of the 2010s alternative rock scene.

Core genres: Indie rock, alternative rock Influences: R&B, hip-hop, psychedelic rock, blues rock The album is built up primarily using the genres indie rock and alternative rock, aligning with their previously composed albums. Though the references to psychedelic rock align more with the atmosphere created in their previous album ‘Humbug’, which released back in 2009. The underlying tones of hip-hop, R&B and blues rock are notably more experimental genres introduced by the band, we can notably see the hip-hop through the albums rhythms and production style.

Track List — 12 tracks:

1. Do I wanna know?
2. R U Mine?
3. One For The Road
4. Arabella
5. I Want It All
6. №1 Party Anthem
7. Mad Sounds
8. Fireside
9. Why’d You Only Call Me When Your High?
10. Snap Out Of It
11. Knee Socks
12. I Wanna Be Yours

Album run time: 41 minutes, 38 seconds

Unpacking the Album, One Song at a Time: 1. Do I Wanna Know?

With the song ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ I can definitley see why it is one of the band’s top songs. I am extremely fond of the intro to the song, with the two guitars played by both Alex Turner and Jaimie Cook combined with the steady drum beat played by Matt Helders it creats a steady build up setting a rhythm for the entirety of the song. Additionally, the beat is a catchy one, combined with the bass aswell it adds a heavy tone to the background of the song.

The song portrays a story to us listeners, from the perpective of the speaker obsessing over a current love interest but it presents an underlying sense of vulnrability as they feel an uncertainty regarding the other’s romantic feelings. I feel as though the backing vocals add more to the story, adding a deeper level to it.

As the song gets closer to the end we can feel and hear the intensity growing, while the instruments collectively work harmoniously together in building the intensity it shows how well the song is made. I most certainly understand why the song is such a big hit. 3.7/5

2. R U Mine?

I really enjoyed the lead guitar throughout this song, i feel that it really makes the song what it is. Additionally, Alex’s vocals throughout the sone are impeccably strong, between his voice and the lead guitar it’s a great song already. It has a catchy tune to it which is supported by the main chorus. Around 2 minutes in is where the song reaches it’s peak i’d say, here is where we get the build up to the songs main guitar solo. This guitar solo is a very recognisable one and always a fun one!

Matt Helders on the drums in this song is well recognised, it is definitely one of his top songs size wise though it doesnt compare difficulty wise to previous songs such as ‘Pretty Visitors’ I feel as though Matt’s skills are overlooked often considering his amazing talent. 4.2/5

3. One For The Road

One For The Road is one of the lesser known songs on the album, many have mixed opinions on it due to its sound being ‘different.’ I for one absolutely adore this song — it’s easily one of the best ones on the album. In addition to this, One For The Road has the best guitar solo out of the entire album, whenever the solo somes on i feel as though i’m being transported to another dimension or as if i’m rising from the ground. This song makes me feel otherdimensonal.

Hats off to Matt Helders once more, the drums add another level to this song, once again. I also love how smoothly Alex’s voice runs through this song, the lyrics just roll off of his tongue with ease, especially in the chorus. I found that the song reached it’s climax at approximatley 1:59, it feels as though Alex is just pouring his heart and soul into this part of the song — truly angelic. 4.6/5

4. Arabella

I really enjoyed the chorus of Arabella, I found it to be a very good song even though it isnt one of my favourites. The song consistently carries strong vocals and i found the segment leading up to the guitar solo strong and reflective on the bands ability to compose great music. 2.9/5

5. I Want It All

I’m an extremley big fan of this song — again its a less known song and I stand by my opinion that it is severley underrated. Considering Alex doesnt usually sing in high vocals i found them to be extrordinary in I Want It All. This song is definitley another favourite of mine from this album, especially as it carries a different vibe to the bands usual music. I find that this song is in the same ballpark as songs from the album ‘Humbug’ (2009) just with a smoother, more moden vibe layered on top. 4.4/5

6. №1 Party Anthem

№1 Party Anthem is an impeccable song, I personally really enjoy the slow rhythm that contrasts with the bands earlier music (not including some songs from Suck it and See). This song is now one of their bigger songs, thanks to it gaining attention on TikTok at the end of 2024. One thing i really like about this song is it’s meaning, while many misinterpret its meaning, seeing it as a love song it actually reflects on themes of loneliness, longing, emotional vulnerability and romantic disillusionment. Although i prefered when it was a lesser known song it 100% is getting the atteniton that have been overdue. 4.8/5

7. Mad Sounds

I really enjoy the different tones in the background with Mad Sounds, i’d say it’s probably the albums least known song — I definitley like this song, just not as much as others on this album. The slow vocals in the song create a smoothing atmosphere which I really enjoyed. A main reason as to why its a lesser known song probably would revert back to the ‘change in sound’. Many listeners aren’t happy when bands change the way they sing, as many fans of Arctic Monkeys want Alex to revert back to how he sounded in their debut album ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’, even though he was 20. 3.6/5

8. Fireside

Fireside was most definitley my favourite track off the album, with no two ways about it. The song clearly reflects on themes of nostalgia with the title ‘fireside’ standing metaphorically for the warmth and comfort that the speaker now misses. I strongly believe that this song doesn’t get half the recognition it should.

Alex’s voice in this song feels somewhat majestic and I get goosebumps everytime i listen — even if it’s a boiling day. My favourite part of this song has to me the line:

“But that place on memory lane you like still looks the same But something about it’s changed” 5/5

9. Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?

Why’d You Only Call Me When you’re High? is one of the bands notably biggest songs, I really liked the leading guitar in this as i felt that it added depth to the story. It adds to the confusion and temptation the speaker feels, almost telling it’s own story. 3.7/5

10. Snap Out Of It

I’m fond of the backing music for Snap Out Of It, especially the drumming. I found the chorus to be a great one, as it created an upbeat atmosphere that made you just want to get up and dance. 4.0/5

11. Knee Socks

Immediatley the song Knee Socks creates this autumnal atmosphere in my opinion, it’s the sort of song that gets me excited to see the leaves go orange — might just be me. I always find myself in awe of the intro, it really does something to me. Overall Knee Socks is a massively underrated song and it deserves so much more praise, it has one of the best outros on the album aswell, the backing vocals provided by a mix of Matt helders, Nick O’Malley and Josh Homme (the frontman of Queens of the Stone Age) really do take this song above and beyond. 4.8/5

12. I Wanna Be Yours

The song I Wanna Be Yours isn’t a personal favourite of mine, although yes it is one of the bands biggest songs in my opinion they just have so many more unrecognised masterpieces. In the song we can see the speaker offering their everything and saying they’d quite literally be anything for their desired love, showing how powerful love really can be.

The songs slow rhythm adds to the romanticism of it, the chorus to I Wanna Be Yours makes me feel enlightened in some way, giving me this warm feeling in my chest. Although some of the lyrics are somewhat strange I do feel as though this is a very well written song, even though it’s not one of my favourites i do truly believe Alex turner is a master lyricist. 3.8/5

Final Rating:

Overall I feel that AM is a very well thought and made album, it heavily explores the theme of uncertainty within romance which helps create an overall vibe for the album. I think that the album carries some absolute masterpieces and from these we’ve also recieved some great B-sides. While i’m not so keen on every song on the album I can understand why others would be, the band explores a range of backing music and vocals which really deepens the album taking it to the next level. I most definitley can see how it is their biggest album.

Overall my favourite song off of this album was most definitley ‘Fireside’, I really like how it looks at themes of nostalgia, showing how things change with time giving them a different feel, as seen in the line “But that place on memory lane you like still looks the same But something about it’s changed”. With this song I also really liked how the title is used metaphorically, tying in to the songs theme reflecting that warmth the speaker once felt but now it’s as if the fire’s gone out.

Overall i’d give this album an 8.25/10

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