Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, England. The band includes Alex Turner (lead vocals, rhythm/lead guitar), Matt Helders (drums, vocals), Jamie Cook (lead/rhythm guitar), and Nick O'Malley (bass, backing vocals). Former member Andy Nicholson (bass guitar, backing vocals) departed shortly after their debut album in 2006. Over time, their music has shifted significantly from raw, youthful post-punk revival to R 'n' B and jazz-inspired experiments.

All four original band members were avid hip-hop fans during their youth, a genre that deeply influenced their music later on, though their early style was shaped by The Strokes and The Libertines. The Arctic Monkeys became pioneers in gaining fame through internet publicity and social media; they initially sold demo CDs at a bar where Alex Turner worked, and their fans started uploading them online due to limited copies.

Initially hesitant to sign with a record label, fearing changes to their music, they eventually signed with Domino because of founder Lawrence Bell's "do it yourself" ethos, as he ran the label from his own house.

The band released their scrappy, spirited debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, in 2006, featuring UK No. 1 singles like “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” and “When the Sun Goes Down”. They followed with Favourite Worst Nightmare in 2007, which showed more mature lyrics, tighter hooks, and polished production. Their most accessible album, AM, includes catchy and notable singles such as the indie hit “Do I Wanna Know?”.

After a five-year break from releasing albums, they returned with their polarising sixth studio album, Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino, in 2018.

In August 2022, midway through their European tour, Arctic Monkeys announced their highly anticipated seventh studio album, The Car, set for release on October 21st, 2022.