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
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  1. lalesia
    Oct 21, 2022
    10
    the mature sound that you can expect from a band that's always evolving. "whatever people say I am that's what I'm not" they warned us in their first album, it's that. They move in between genders and sounds like they own them and sounds right. Listen and enjoy the ride.
  2. Trojan97
    Oct 21, 2022
    9
    Not many bands or artists have successfully reinvented their sound over and over like Arctic Monkeys. It’s not as much of a departure in style as TBHC was to AM, but there is a clear evolution from their 2018 sci fi themed concept album. The Car is a beautiful and rewarding listen, and you have to applaud the vision from Turner & co. The strings add a whole new dimension to the bands soundNot many bands or artists have successfully reinvented their sound over and over like Arctic Monkeys. It’s not as much of a departure in style as TBHC was to AM, but there is a clear evolution from their 2018 sci fi themed concept album. The Car is a beautiful and rewarding listen, and you have to applaud the vision from Turner & co. The strings add a whole new dimension to the bands sound here and the addition of wah wah pedals (I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I am, Jet Skis on The Moat) and moog synthesiser (Sculptures of Anything Goes) are welcome additions to the bands armoury. It must be said too that this is their most diverse album in terms of genres experimented with and also genres that influenced the sound of the record, which is reflected clearly throughout the album. Despite the disparate styles used, the songs fit together well and the album flows at a nice pace throughout. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to get on board with Mr Shwartz and The Car yet and they do let the second half on the album down a bit for me.

    The Car will reward multiple listens, and after my second it’s at an 9. It could go down as one of their best in years to come.    … Expand
  3. ray32
    Oct 21, 2022
    10
    Not their best nor their worst. But it is a soft rock album that leans more on pianos and has elements from AM and TBHC.
  4. Lorismelodies
    Oct 21, 2022
    9
    The continuous evolution of the Arctic Monkeys' discography, continues to impress me. This groovy, loungy album twists nostalgia and fresh emotion together into a power cocktail of sound. While the songs tend to blend, they are not without originality. the subtleties of the instrumentals and the smooth intoxicating croon emanating from Alex Turner's lead vocals combine in a funky, lusty,The continuous evolution of the Arctic Monkeys' discography, continues to impress me. This groovy, loungy album twists nostalgia and fresh emotion together into a power cocktail of sound. While the songs tend to blend, they are not without originality. the subtleties of the instrumentals and the smooth intoxicating croon emanating from Alex Turner's lead vocals combine in a funky, lusty, melancholic groove of an album.… Expand
  5. moniquevbn
    Oct 21, 2022
    10
    absolutely amazing. has a nice chill and relaxed vibe to it. i totally love it
  6. pdmattin3
    Oct 21, 2022
    9
    Albums 1-5 are what you listen to when you’re ready to go out, Album 6 was what you listen to when getting high at home with the lights turned off. This feels like what you listen to with a glass of wine. And I’ve loved all 7. They each have their own place for me. As for this album… The 3 singles (Body Paint, Mirrorball, I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am) are the album standouts asAlbums 1-5 are what you listen to when you’re ready to go out, Album 6 was what you listen to when getting high at home with the lights turned off. This feels like what you listen to with a glass of wine. And I’ve loved all 7. They each have their own place for me. As for this album… The 3 singles (Body Paint, Mirrorball, I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am) are the album standouts as standalones. But the final 4 songs make the album IMO. I’ve found myself just repeating that 4-song stretch over and over again. They appear to follow a similar theme, seemingly indicating Alex Turner is done with rock n roll for good. They’re each introspective, hummable, and weirdly kind of touching.… Expand
  7. TheSoJa
    Oct 21, 2022
    7
    Arctic Monkeys have finally found a well-balanced sound, that has a clear concept.
  8. LewsTherin
    Oct 21, 2022
    10
    What a cohesive album! Not just great songs have been added to my playlist, ‘The Car’ is an album which I’ll revisit often as a whole. The strings and keys added so much to the band’s sound, made me fell in love for them all over again. Every track is a banger, but Body Paint entered favorite-songs-ever territory. This is the kind of sound which only gets better, and because of that it’sWhat a cohesive album! Not just great songs have been added to my playlist, ‘The Car’ is an album which I’ll revisit often as a whole. The strings and keys added so much to the band’s sound, made me fell in love for them all over again. Every track is a banger, but Body Paint entered favorite-songs-ever territory. This is the kind of sound which only gets better, and because of that it’s shaping up to the one my personal favorite albums of all time. Can’t stop listening to it!… Expand
  9. powershindley
    Oct 21, 2022
    3
    Quite possibly the worst set of music i have ever listened to in my entire life.

    Fans seemingly love this absolute drabble but personally i believe that if a band is to experiment this much with their sound it's best left to side projects and leave the essence of what the band was in the past. The Gorillaz very rightly split off from Blur and went in a new direction to very clearly    Quite possibly the worst set of music i have ever listened to in my entire life.

    Fans seemingly love this absolute drabble but personally i believe that if a band is to experiment this much with their sound it's best left to side projects and leave the essence of what the band was in the past.

    The Gorillaz very rightly split off from Blur and went in a new direction to very clearly define the fact that the music made now by the Gorillaz is a far cry from Blur. The Arctic Monkeys should have split off and made the Autumn Orangutans the same way and left what the fans loved about Arctic Monkeys alone.

    If i wanted to listen to smooth lounge and falsetto voices i'd have picked up Robbie Williams' collective works or delved into some Richard Cheese, by the way nothing against these 2 examples just proving a point.

    I initially marked this review as 0 but upgraded it to 3 because as lounge music goes it's alright, got some funk and Alex Turner still has a beautiful voice. But Arctic Monkeys music this is not. Maybe they should have quit after they finished AM, the last good album they made.    … Expand
  10. All_ButTrU4
    Oct 21, 2022
    6
    Artic Monkeys return eyes set on continuing the captivating left turn they risked in 2018 but now with a sophisticated lush string form. It's smooth and concise allowing you to pass through each song like listening to a movie's soundtrack. Turners voice is a smooth riveting baritone that guided by all the right words flourishes in interesting ways. Arguably amongst there best
  11. alvarodeblas
    Oct 21, 2022
    10
    Perfect balanced gorgeous work of art. That´s Arctic Monkeys in its finest expression. Working all together to take another evolution in its sound, evolving from where they left with Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino and creating something unique and authentic in this days were the important thing to many artists is to make a hit on tiktok. This album is an intimate one, probably the mostPerfect balanced gorgeous work of art. That´s Arctic Monkeys in its finest expression. Working all together to take another evolution in its sound, evolving from where they left with Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino and creating something unique and authentic in this days were the important thing to many artists is to make a hit on tiktok. This album is an intimate one, probably the most beautiful Arctic Monkeys´ record. It´s an album perfect to listen to it alone while making the dinner or when you´re alone with your thoughts, and I´m sure it will grow on everyone. It is insanely good and I can´t expect for what will be their new sound in the next years. Long live Arctic Monkeys.… Expand
  12. Ignaciogaloz
    Oct 21, 2022
    10
    Far the best album from the band. Perfect mix, perfect sound, perfect concept
  13. MetacriticOnur
    Oct 21, 2022
    8
    excellent
    [ ek-suh-luhnt ]

    adjective
    possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.
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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.
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  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.
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  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.
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