ALBUM OF THE YEAR #2: ARCTIC MONKEYS - TRANQUILITY BASE HOTEL + CASINO

Well, well, well. Here we are. Undoubtedly the year’s most controversial album, potentially the most controversial of the decade, Arctic Monkeys return divided opinion like nothing else in recent years, but overtime, everyone has learnt to love it. Or well, at least some of it.

Turner’s lyrical prowess has never been better, writing directly whilst still managing to mask his insecurities and societal critiques with moonscape metaphors. Set on the moon, in an LA-inspired hotel, it’s a daring, complex masterpiece. Lyrically it borders on poetry at times whilst the focus on the piano adds another dimension to the Artic Monkeys’ discography. ‘Golden Trunks’ is a beautiful love-song but one that tricks the listener into thinking it’s a political protest through a cheeky swipe at Donald Trump whilst ‘She Looks Like Fun’ is a pop at social media culture and the vanity of Instagram. ‘Start Treament’ sees Turner turn lounge-singer, switching the focus onto himself and his past mistakes and album closer, the Leonard-Cohen-inspired, ‘The Ultracheese’ is superbly structured, Turner making more observations on society.

AM 2.0 it is not, TBH+C is an innovative attack on modern day society submerged in lunar lexicon and lounge sounds. The boys from Sheffield done good.