I think I'm the only one here who absolutely loves this album so far.

I've listened to "Four Out Of Five" a few times and it has REALLY grown on me actually, so that gives me hope that the same will happen with the album.

So what is Alex going to say at the next Brit Awards? :P

I like it, but they've definitely lost the spark and energy that made them so essential back in the day. I will give the album a couple of weeks the chance grow though!

I’ve given it one listen so far. There’s nothing standing out particularly yet but I do quite like this change in direction. It actually feels refreshing and I was prepared for it to be shit after reading lots of comments. I would say that I’m satisfied but still need a few more listens.

If this album wasn't by an act I've loved for pretty much half of my life I'm fairly sure the one listen I've given it would be the only one it got.

If this album wasn't by an act I've loved for pretty much half of my life I'm fairly sure the one listen I've given it would be the only one it got.

 

I think I would agree with this. I'm prepared to give it as many listens as I can to see if it clicks, but I can't think of many other artists I'd be willing to do that for.

(listens to this album)

 

.......Wow!

.......I am impressed!

 

It is very different from their previous stuff. I had a listen earlier, overall it's not really my cup of tea, though I did like a couple of the tracks. If I were them I'd not leave t another 4-5 years before putting out another album if they want to keep their fans happy!

even NME, who's been promoting AM on a weekly basis despite them not having an album in 5 years by making up stories about them every other week, give the album only 4 out of 5 stars, them not giving the album the top marks despite the 5-year payola is the easiest indication that the album is the snoozefest

I don't understand this post... 4/5 is a great score?

I put a taqueria on the roof, it was well reviewed

Four stars out of five

And that's unheard of

 

I think, as Alex alludes to, he's started to realise that his band/music have transcended the need for 5* reviews.

 

I've listened to it a few more times and I do appreciate what he's doing - he's clearly decided that he has nothing left to prove and can take the band's direction wherever he chooses. I think if it was a solo record people would be more understanding but, as it's under the Monkeys' name, people are expecting that AM sort-of sound and he's just decided to move away from that, which I think is fair enough.

 

I remember seeing a similar level of dislike when 'Humbug' came out and they were able to regain all of their popularity a few albums later so I don't think they'll concerned.

Humbug was criminally underrated at the time. I’m surprised to see lots of praise for it these days.

I'm a massive fan of Humbug, and it contains the beautiful Cornerstone. I was different and a bit of a departure but I've grown to adore it.

 

Interesting to see comments like one or two of the tracks are good on the new one. I could barely differentiate any of them, all blended into one long mess.

There's a few tracks that I don't mind listening to in isolation, but a full album of them is a little over-indulgent, let's say.

I can only judge from 'Four Out of Five' for now but it feels like a natural evolution from the AM album to me.

 

I keep seeing posts on Facebook about how Arctic Monkeys should "stick to singing about nights out in Yorkshire", essentially the sound of their first two albums, yet that's not what they've been about for years and wouldn't it just get very reductive and tiring, no?

Here's the video for “Four out of Five” or 8.1 out of 10 as Pitchfork might prefer to rename it. :P

 

Loving this now. ‘She Looks Like Fun’ is the only dud for me, along with ‘Star Treatment’ being the opener.

The title track up to Monster Truck is so so strong.

And Four Out of Five is definitely the best choice for first single, glad they’ve gone with that.

Four out of Five is great - the rest may take time (Kid A by Radiohead took me about 6 months but once I got there it was worth it!).

 

This song has really grown on me.

Well my subconscious must be enjoying this because I've now listened multiple times and keep going back to it; and "Four Out Of Five" is my most played track of the past rolling 7 days, even ahead of anything Eurovision!