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. 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. ING45
    Apr 16, 2023
    4
    evreyone says that we should never expect another AM or wtpsiatwin because they always have a distinct sound with each record.

    However , that is not the case with the car,which does not even sound like the arctic monkeys but more of a cover band trying to rip off the magic of tranquility base. Evreything they tried making with this record has already been done better by the last shadow    evreyone says that we should never expect another AM or wtpsiatwin because they always have a distinct sound with each record.

    However , that is not the case with the car,which does not even sound like the arctic monkeys but more of a cover band trying to rip off the magic of tranquility base. Evreything they tried making with this record has already been done better by the last shadow puppets Unlike tranquility , which had a cohesive theme and a cool concept that immersed you in the sci fi world created with care by Alex Turner , this new record doesnt have a concept , or a purpose , its just a bland attempt at art rock , with the orchestra putting in more work than the band itself and barely any interesting guitar bits or drum fills Evrey song just builds up without ever reaching a climax and Turner has a horrible barritone voice with bad attemps at falsetto    … Expand
  5. petrichor1975
    Apr 5, 2023
    5
    "The Car" is a collection of soft-rock and lounge pop ballads that spark minimal interest and does little to entertain its audience. The glitz and buoyancy of "Tranquility Base..." is still here, but the excitement of the instrumentation of that record is scaled back immensely. The only enjoyable track on here is "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball". It feels like the Arctic Monkeys should've"The Car" is a collection of soft-rock and lounge pop ballads that spark minimal interest and does little to entertain its audience. The glitz and buoyancy of "Tranquility Base..." is still here, but the excitement of the instrumentation of that record is scaled back immensely. The only enjoyable track on here is "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball". It feels like the Arctic Monkeys should've pursued another musical direction rather than continuing in the sphere of the music on "Tranquility Base..."… Expand
  6. chloewong
    Mar 25, 2023
    10
    this album is a masterpiece. it's cinematic and the lyrics are deep and profound. love it sm
  7. barillas
    Mar 19, 2023
    0
    This album is not good. Just bad lounge music that the fanboys feel obliged to like.
  8. 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
  9. KingForADay
    Jan 10, 2023
    3
    Let me just say it outright - this album is very hard to listen to. The way to enjoy it would be if you are JUST listening to it on a rainy day in a low lit empty hotel bar in the mountains. Not while you work or clean, not while you're driving, not while you're doing anything else. You MUST give it your full concentration, otherwise it is just unbearable. For me this gives the album aLet me just say it outright - this album is very hard to listen to. The way to enjoy it would be if you are JUST listening to it on a rainy day in a low lit empty hotel bar in the mountains. Not while you work or clean, not while you're driving, not while you're doing anything else. You MUST give it your full concentration, otherwise it is just unbearable. For me this gives the album a vibe that is quite arrogant and pretentious. "Big ideas" has a very nice bluesy guitar to it, but other than this the album is as exciting as watching paint dry (funny enough - watching paint dry is mentioned on "Jet Skis On The Moat" perhaps in an attempt at a jolly forth wall break by the artists to rub in what they are making you listen to).… Expand
  10. Pesh86
    Dec 16, 2022
    10
    Brilliant album. Great to see the band continually evolving and trying new sounds
  11. Alix-Farron
    Dec 15, 2022
    3
    Experimental and unpleasant music topped by Alex Turner's extremely repulsive vocals.
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. chuck_Vindaloo
    Nov 29, 2022
    1
    What the hell is this!! They sound like they've been heavily medicated on "doctor's order". Did someone replace Matt with an automated drum machine. Are they a weekday basement lounge band now. Is this lounge music? Did someone lobotomize the band. What did they do to them? This is terrible... Can't differentiate between any of the songs. They all sound the same and are unmemorable. ItsWhat the hell is this!! They sound like they've been heavily medicated on "doctor's order". Did someone replace Matt with an automated drum machine. Are they a weekday basement lounge band now. Is this lounge music? Did someone lobotomize the band. What did they do to them? This is terrible... Can't differentiate between any of the songs. They all sound the same and are unmemorable. Its like one really long bad spoken poetry set to generic music with intervals. I'm all for bands changing their sound and experimenting but this not that. Really breaks my heart. I've loved their music for over 15 years now. Either this sucks or maybe I'm just old and dumb, and they've evolved to another level. I'm just too stupid and just don't get it anymore. Oh well..… Expand
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. Gosh_reiners938
    Nov 18, 2022
    1
    I was so disappointed by how much the songs sounded the same and I felt like i was in some old jazz club boring as hell do not recommend
  19. titanoneday
    Nov 18, 2022
    8
    I think it's a blended album, all the songs fit together as a whole package. a great listen.
  20. Hotdoc
    Nov 9, 2022
    5
    Sounds okay until you pay attention to the lame lyrics.
    All the songs sound the same and Alex Turner has little variety in the way he sings throughout the album. AM is so much better.
  21. DOWNEY2010
    Nov 9, 2022
    0
    This is the most boring album in the arctic monkey's discography. I mean there isn't one song to get excited about whatsoever. This sounds like a bad Alex Turner solo project. All these AM's fanboys saying this a masterpiece? I don't believe you. If any other band released this lounge music rubbish, you wouldn't listen to it!
  22. TheedmondX
    Nov 7, 2022
    6
    Si a este álbum mamador, le ponen el nombre de otra banda nadie diría que es un buen álbum...aburrido, música de elevador, un título insulso y una portada mala....no todo lo que es aburrido es arte señores
  23. Craigdimas
    Nov 3, 2022
    5
    A very rare instance of the spin-off project swallowing the main band. Some people have compared this to lounge music - which isn’t really accurate. Whilst the style and tempo are very lounge, it lacks the compositions and melodies of lounge music.
    Alex Turner’s vocals are mostly great, it’s beautifully played and produced, but nevertheless is surely indulgent, pretentious and mostly    A very rare instance of the spin-off project swallowing the main band. Some people have compared this to lounge music - which isn’t really accurate. Whilst the style and tempo are very lounge, it lacks the compositions and melodies of lounge music.
    Alex Turner’s vocals are mostly great, it’s beautifully played and produced, but nevertheless is surely indulgent, pretentious and mostly dull. Body Paint is the highlight.    … Expand
  24. EnemaOfTheVirus
    Nov 2, 2022
    9
    A great addition to the Arctic Monkeys' discography, with its orchestral elements and David Bowie-influenced vocals.
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. Kallebe9
    Oct 26, 2022
    6
    Parece que o album foi feito só pra ter coisa nova, não chega a ser ruim mas é bem generico, quem gosta da banda acredito que va gostar do album, mas não me agradou muito, achei legal porém esquecivel
  28. ezio33
    Oct 26, 2022
    2
    I haven't listened to Arctic Monkeys since "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not." I am by no means a dedicated fan, but when I noticed a new album drop, I checked it out.

    Just to confirm I was remembering "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" correctly, I put it on as well, just to compare the two. Talk about whiplash.
  29. idealpages
    Oct 26, 2022
    3
    Songs sound all the same - the tin hat being a song about literally watching paint dry. Not an enjoyable album.
  30. 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
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Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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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
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