Humbug - Arctic Monkeys

It was anticipated, we didn't know what to expect and my copy did arrive two days early (thank you hmv.com pre-ordering) but Arctic Monkeys' latest release 'Humbug' is available to all of us mere mortals now - and we're ready for the lads to blow our brains. 'Humbug' will.

More brutal, exciting and "in yer face!" it will prove to be a classic... without selling as many copies as their previous albums have - Spotify or no Spotify.

It's ten beautiful, mind-bending and intriguing songs, bursting with irregularity and uncertainty. It's brilliant. Brave. Abstract. We all said Turner was a genius, but not until now can it be confirmed, set in stone and other such sayings which just plainly mean he's fantastic.

First single 'Crying Lightning' with it's repetitive chorus and sexy beat finally (after a few listens) carved it's way into the brain, as do so many of the songs on 'Humbug'. 'Pretty Visitors' is like a punch to the face - which is good in this case. It's attacking, mesmerising and a poetic rant about... well pretty much nothing. Epic. "What came first the chicken or the dickhead?" Why, I don't know. Just epic. Then there's the hypnotising 'Secret Door'. Listening really means listening with this song, you can't just have it on in the background as you go about your business. It has a strange effect on the ears, perhaps due to it's complexity. Album opener 'My Propeller' has this amazing desert rock riff and is quite the vast comparison to ending track 'The Jeweller's Hands' with cynical lyrics and spooky, yet circus like undertones. But the two bring the album full circle, the perfect opening and perfect finale.

So if complex, hypnotic rock 'n' roll bands aren't your thing, then stick to 'Whatever People Say I am...'

And there's only a few days until Arctic Monkeys play Reading and Leeds festivals. Not long to learn the words then... Bah Humbug!