The Car
by Arctic Monkeys
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Oct 21, 2022
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 289 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 231 out of 289
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 289
  3. Negative: 34 out of 289
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. dougiam
    Aug 3, 2023
    9
    Took a while to creep up on me, but when it did... it's probably their best album.
  2. frompeaksofblue
    Jun 28, 2023
    9
    It certainly won't appeal to the Stone Island football LADS but for my money this is one of, if not the best thing they've ever produced.
    I've been an admirer of the band for years but never crossed over into a real fan but TBHC started to sway me more towards that and this has completely solidified it.
    It's a stunning album that manages to be sad, sexy, muted and grandiose in equal    It certainly won't appeal to the Stone Island football LADS but for my money this is one of, if not the best thing they've ever produced.
    I've been an admirer of the band for years but never crossed over into a real fan but TBHC started to sway me more towards that and this has completely solidified it.
    It's a stunning album that manages to be sad, sexy, muted and grandiose in equal measure.
    It's undoubtedly polarised their fanbase and if you're looking for any of their previous jumpy indie gear then you'll be dissapointed.
    If, like me, you're into jazz, soft rock, deep electronic stuff and a bit of nostalgia you'll find yourself with it on loop.
    Mirrorball and Statues....in my opinion, are some of the best stuff they've ever written and I'm very excited to see where they take it after this. Hopefully more of the same with even more of Alex Turners on stage crooner vibes and even more lounge core writing.
    Some "fans" are clearly gutted It's not 2006 anymore and the Arctic monkeys are no longer the football terrace's favourite band....ain't progress wonderful    … Expand
  3. vitinh0z
    Apr 17, 2023
    10
    sem duvida o melhor álbum do arctic monkeys. a sensação trazida pelo instrumental é incomparável, principalmente a música "Hello You", aquele violino no fundo deixa tudo mais profundo e magico
  4. chloewong
    Mar 25, 2023
    10
    this album is a masterpiece. it's cinematic and the lyrics are deep and profound. love it sm
  5. Raidenk
    Jan 24, 2023
    10
    The direction set by TBH&C was certainly a dangerous one, but AM managed to overcome the problems of such a rapid change of sound, producing a masterpiece of songwriting.
    The sound is just perfect, the lyrics are precisely cut for the melodies, the sequence of the pieces is fantastic.
    "For a master of deception, and subterfuge, you made yourself quite the bed to lying" What's    The direction set by TBH&C was certainly a dangerous one, but AM managed to overcome the problems of such a rapid change of sound, producing a masterpiece of songwriting.
    The sound is just perfect, the lyrics are precisely cut for the melodies, the sequence of the pieces is fantastic.
    "For a master of deception, and subterfuge, you made yourself quite the bed to lying"
    What's interesting, similarly to how TBH&C talked about songwriting, this album seems to talk about style shifts and listeners reactions to artistic decisions, with The Car symbolizing such shift. But this might just be my impression.
    "So if you wanna walk me to the car, you ought to know I'll have a heavy heart. But can we please be absolutely sure that there's a mirrorball for me?"    … Expand
  6. Pesh86
    Dec 16, 2022
    10
    Brilliant album. Great to see the band continually evolving and trying new sounds
  7. hausoflilluis
    Dec 14, 2022
    7
    Honey, it looks like a follow-up to album #6, but it's not like that, because some songs sound distant, like "Scuptures of Anything Goes". The truth is that it doesn't sound bad, although I miss AM's initial musical identity. I'm hopeful that it will come back soon.

    fav tracks: "Sculptures of Anything Goes", "Hello You", "Big Ideas", "I Ain't Quite Where I Think I Am", "Perfect Sense"    Honey, it looks like a follow-up to album #6, but it's not like that, because some songs sound distant, like "Scuptures of Anything Goes". The truth is that it doesn't sound bad, although I miss AM's initial musical identity. I'm hopeful that it will come back soon.

    fav tracks: "Sculptures of Anything Goes", "Hello You", "Big Ideas", "I Ain't Quite Where I Think I Am", "Perfect Sense"
    KEY-TRACK: "There'd Better Be A Mirrorball"    … Expand
  8. imalisonf
    Dec 11, 2022
    8
    The band manages to mature as its members with each album, and not unlike the new Arctic monkeys album shows this perfectly with songs that are not so commercial but with a lot of quality
  9. Ricko
    Dec 9, 2022
    8
    "The Car" is an evolution of and a more successful execution of the ideas that drove their previous album "Tranquility Base Hotel Casino". Back to back albums confirming that this is now a chapter of sound in the career of arctic monkeys. I found TBHC a challenge and have to admit I never fully got into it but with "The Car", I'm much more on board. Bar a slight dip in the middle, it is"The Car" is an evolution of and a more successful execution of the ideas that drove their previous album "Tranquility Base Hotel Casino". Back to back albums confirming that this is now a chapter of sound in the career of arctic monkeys. I found TBHC a challenge and have to admit I never fully got into it but with "The Car", I'm much more on board. Bar a slight dip in the middle, it is extremely consistent. The style is a real throwback to the age of lush psychedelia but with the bands immistakable take. While "The Car" can hardly be called a classic album, the band have long outgrown their original audience and the audience they gathered as they went. They now sit with the heavy hitters based on the range of ambition and achievement across their back catalog.… Expand
  10. Bill01172
    Nov 26, 2022
    10
    Absolutely stunning. Unlike other bands that usually turn to pop to continue their run, Arctic monkeys have produced an amazing work of art, a masterpiece infact. The only band even close are Midnight Brewers.
  11. Netinhodapaz
    Nov 22, 2022
    7
    This is not the better Arctic Monkeys album (after "AM", it's pretty hard to beat that record). But it isn't bad. It's better than "Tranquility Base", but not comparing to "AM", "Favourite worst", "Whatever People", et cetera. But, in the end, this don't really look like an Arctic Monkeys album, just like and Indie Pop/rock album.
  12. titanoneday
    Nov 18, 2022
    8
    I think it's a blended album, all the songs fit together as a whole package. a great listen.
  13. EnemaOfTheVirus
    Nov 2, 2022
    9
    A great addition to the Arctic Monkeys' discography, with its orchestral elements and David Bowie-influenced vocals.
  14. aidansangle
    Oct 31, 2022
    9
    Alex Turner and the Arctic Monkeys show the best mesh of their past several albums. Rather than the show-tune style of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino or rock-heavy style of AM, this album moves towards a beautiful mix of the two. Borrowing the heavy electric guitar from AM, as well as the quiet maturity of Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino, this album brings in orchestral emotion that noAlex Turner and the Arctic Monkeys show the best mesh of their past several albums. Rather than the show-tune style of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino or rock-heavy style of AM, this album moves towards a beautiful mix of the two. Borrowing the heavy electric guitar from AM, as well as the quiet maturity of Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino, this album brings in orchestral emotion that no other album could possibly rival. This album is very reminiscent of TBHC, which may rub some fans the wrong way depending on their thoughts on that album. The Car features tracks like Big Ideas that can make a true music fan cry. The amazing composition of this album is indescribable, as you can tell from my partial rambling in this review. Ultimately this album is beautifully calm at points and incredibly energetic at others. A diverse album, true fans will enjoy the sharp contrast between songs.… Expand
  15. perfectsense
    Oct 29, 2022
    10
    Probably one of the definitive masterpieces of the last decade. A classic born out of the ashes of past musical greats. A set of beautiful songs, highligted by the stand-out salute Perfect Sense. With the last two albums Arctic Monkeys have not only left behind the kind of noisy, middle of the road lad-music that helt them down, but furthermore arrived at the top tier realms of artisticProbably one of the definitive masterpieces of the last decade. A classic born out of the ashes of past musical greats. A set of beautiful songs, highligted by the stand-out salute Perfect Sense. With the last two albums Arctic Monkeys have not only left behind the kind of noisy, middle of the road lad-music that helt them down, but furthermore arrived at the top tier realms of artistic merit, along only a few contemporary greats.… Expand
  16. Samfeli01
    Oct 25, 2022
    10
    Instrumentalmente, nos presenta un sonido cuyas nuevas generaciones de músicos o artistas no se atreverían a explorar. Las letras se ven sencillas a simple vista, pero esa es la magia que Alex Turner practica en sus canciones al conectar cada palabra como una pieza de un rompecabezas para finalizar con poesía. No es sino hasta cuando te das cuenta que explotas en ese CLICK y en laInstrumentalmente, nos presenta un sonido cuyas nuevas generaciones de músicos o artistas no se atreverían a explorar. Las letras se ven sencillas a simple vista, pero esa es la magia que Alex Turner practica en sus canciones al conectar cada palabra como una pieza de un rompecabezas para finalizar con poesía. No es sino hasta cuando te das cuenta que explotas en ese CLICK y en la realización aprecias el arte en sus escritos.

    Remanente de sonidos y letras antiguas que nos recuerdan a David Bowie, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday e incluso música clásica. Sin duda es una odisea auditiva y se hace mejor con cada escucha. Enorgullece la madurez de la banda y se evidencia un crecimiento musical único en cada uno de sus discos, este no siendo la excepción. Superó todas las expectativas. Es una lástima que sea un álbum tan infravalorado y superado por otros que llegan a ser superfluos y mediocres como Midnights de Taylor Swift. The Car es sin duda un trabajo de excelencia con gran dedicación, gran conflicto de sentimientos de parte del autor y en mi opinión. La encarnación y personificación musical misma de la palabra, meliflua/melifluo.    … Expand
  17. deboradias
    Oct 25, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It seems to me like an album about a car, and all the stories, experiences and feelings lived that involve such an object. The concept of the album starts from the simple idea of ​​being an album of "songs to listen to in the car", and from there it develops a somewhat more complex content.
    I don't particularly like this bunch of nonsense falsetto. The band sought to innovate in several aspects, which certainly made Alex do the same in terms of vocals, but it seems to lack technique.    … Expand
  18. pmasia
    Oct 25, 2022
    10
    I wasn't expecting The Car to be that good! No other modern band evolved so well like they did in my opinion. This album and AM are probably their best ones. Congrats guys!
  19. orenner96
    Oct 24, 2022
    10
    1st listen - it sounds different
    2nd listen - hmmm
    3rd listen - oh yeah
    4th listen - holy **** this is amazing
  20. Angelica06
    Oct 24, 2022
    10
    Similar to tranquility base hotel & casino, but definitely a more mature album, you can tell that every detail was polished before recording which makes it great, the violins and the guitar solos give a different experience than what you are used to.
  21. burneracc123
    Oct 24, 2022
    10
    excellent. absolutely, brilliantly, **** excellent. arctic monkeys did it again — without giving a **** about people’s opinions and the album’s success. i love them!
  22. MajorT0m
    Oct 24, 2022
    10
    It's a cinematic musical feast. I am feeling so lucky to live in a time that such these pieces are created.
  23. NicolasBlinders
    Oct 24, 2022
    10
    Este álbum es buenísimo. Y si no te gusta es porque sos sordo u odias a la banda porque no hacen la misma música que hace 15 años.
  24. Nclark02
    Oct 24, 2022
    8
    Great album for those willing to listen, but if you're only a fan of this band because of AM, you're going to struggle
  25. A7sus4
    Oct 24, 2022
    9
    Cinematic and beautiful, this thing is a different level for them. Admittedly it can be a bit challenging at first, especially if you were hoping for something a little more straight forward and aggressive (like me), but underneath it all this is undeniably an Arctic Monkey's album. I think it ranks as one of their best. I enjoy it quite a bit more than AM and TBHC. (Oh, and describingCinematic and beautiful, this thing is a different level for them. Admittedly it can be a bit challenging at first, especially if you were hoping for something a little more straight forward and aggressive (like me), but underneath it all this is undeniably an Arctic Monkey's album. I think it ranks as one of their best. I enjoy it quite a bit more than AM and TBHC. (Oh, and describing this as "lounge" music in anyway is misleading. It's not.)… Expand
  26. JTC11
    Oct 24, 2022
    10
    Very unique and beautiful album, at first I'm kinda disappointed but I give it a try again about 3-5x to really appreciate this work of art, this album is fantastic
  27. BS92
    Oct 24, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I loved this album so much, very unique, mature and emotional at the same time, I feel like I'm in another world when I listening to this album… Expand
  28. barbiesuperfan
    Oct 23, 2022
    8
    on god the album was life changing it was so jazz blues so good honestly i was so calm upon listening
  29. jackfogden
    Oct 23, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Beautiful new album from Arctic Monkeys, although I feel it is their weakest album so far, there are so many moments of sheer excellence in this album, and that is why they are one of the best bands of the past 20 years.
    Ranking in AOTY list: 11
    Ranking out of 10: 8.5/10
    Best Song: Body Paint    … Expand
  30. Creativeuser
    Oct 23, 2022
    10
    I have listened to every Arctic monkeys album to some capacity, the only one I haven't fully listened to is "whatever people say i am that's what i'm not" so I feel like I have some standing to say that this album is a beautifully crafted masterpiece, it brings me back to 2018s "tranquility base hotel and casino" and 2013s "AM". It has a feeling of reflection, and while being differentI have listened to every Arctic monkeys album to some capacity, the only one I haven't fully listened to is "whatever people say i am that's what i'm not" so I feel like I have some standing to say that this album is a beautifully crafted masterpiece, it brings me back to 2018s "tranquility base hotel and casino" and 2013s "AM". It has a feeling of reflection, and while being different from what everybody expected, being another rock album, I feel like the integration of a more mellow tune taking hints from albums like humbug AM and TBHAC really brings emphasis on the bands maturity from 2002 when it was formed all the way to present day where we see huge shifts in music and expression on a daily basis, and it is a strange yet comforting feeling that I get from this album, there may be a hint of bias because of them being my favorite band, but I do feel like the strides they took were very bold with the sixth and seventh albums, it wasn't what we may have expected or wanted but I don't believe anybody could hate it, it has a very well composed and melodic tune throughout the album and with the song "I ain't quite where I think I am" is a good example of it bringing in elements that they have developed over the 20 years the band has been together. If you've read this far I must applaud you for your time and effort in reading my review. Thank you for hearing my opinion on the 7th album.… Expand
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Record Collector
    Nov 7, 2022
    80
    The Car is a slick mover, immaculately appointed and often beautiful. What it’s driving at, though, can feel naggingly elusive.
    Read full review
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 31, 2022
    80
    There is one salient, nailed-on fact about this enigmatic album, however. It’s how easily its most anthemic cuts will slot into those revved-up Arctic Monkey festival set lists.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Oct 26, 2022
    70
    Turner seems to be angling for atmosphere, not hooks, with his melodies. The free-floating croon helps The Car amiably drift in space but it also highlights how the record could use a couple of elements to bring it back to earth.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »