After the runaway success of Arctic Monkeys' first two albums, expectation was high for the arrival in 2009 of their third effort, Humbug. The album itself received with significant critical acclaim and a slight popular 'meh'. Compared to Whatever People Say I Am... and Favourite Worst Nightmare the more contemplative moments of Humbug lacked the immediate, youthful energy that so excited listeners to their early recordings. To an extent, this was inevitable: the Arctics were no longer teenage ragamuffins with tales of trouble from Sheffield's homes and clubs. They were growing up gracefully.
Humbug was almost criminally underrated; Arctic Monkeys have never been musically more in control than on contemplative tracks like 'Dance Little Liar' or 'Cornerstone', and Alex Turner never more lyrically perfect: 'She held me very tightly/till I asked awfully politely, please, can I call you her name?'
For those still hung up on fast and furious riffery, Humbug provided two heavy-hitting singles, 'My Propeller' and the fantastically dark 'Crying Lightning'. Arctic Monkeys still have a way with melody that ensures no matter how introspective and complex their songwriting becomes, they will deliver. The fact that their new album has James Ford returning as producer is excellent news; for all of its fantastic perceptiveness and neatness, Whatever People Say I Am... was somewhat one dimensional in its production, "unsubtle, one-dimensional noise", as Alan Wilder of Depeche Mode called it. Ford's production on the Arctics' second and third albums was measured and expansive. If he and the band progress with the same depth they have thus far, the new album could shape up to be the release of the year.
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