In less than a month, we’ll see the release of the Arctic Monkeys’ fifth studio album, AM. Due out September 9 on Domino Records, it’s shaping up to be a pretty exciting record from the British rock band. Judging by the album’s earliest singles, AM sees the Arctics sticking with their indie guitar pop roots while also experimenting with elements of funk, blues, and hip-hop.
AM’s third single “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” is a departure from the blues-rock heard on “R U Mine?” and “Do I Wanna Know?” The Arctic Monkeys are drawing influence from old school hip-hop on this track and strangely, it works.
This isn’t what I expected from the Arctics but I am pleasantly surprised by the result. As its title suggests, this song is an anthem for anyone who has made bad decisions at 3 am while under the influence. The video follows front man Alex Turner on a night out with his band mates, from doing shots at the bar to receiving the inevitable booty call text messages.
But there’s a twist – Turner stumbles through London’s streets trying to reach his late night hookup only for us to learn that he’s been the one sending these texts to an uninterested girl. The “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” video is highly entertaining but be warned young bucks, it’s NSFW.
AM will feature guest appearances from Queens Of the Stone Age founder Josh Homme, former Coral guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones and Elvis Costello’s longtime drummer Pete Thomas. The Arctic Monkeys will be touring extensively throughout the remainder of 2013, but at present, there is no Boston date.
RELATED: “Do I Wanna Know” new music from Arctic Monkeys? Yes. Yes, I do., May 23, 2013