What Genre are the Arctic Monkeys?
The Arctic Monkeys’ music is classified as Indie rock, Indie pop, post-punk revival, garage rock, psychedelic rock, blues rock, hard rock, alongside space pop and glam rock influences on their later records. They are an English rock band that was formed in 2002 and are considered to be one of the earliest bands that gained their popularity via the internet.
We’ll be taking a look at some of the genres the band has explored over the years.
Of course, much of Arctic Monkeys’ music spans multiple sub-genres. So keep that in mind as we explain some of the different genres their music covers below.
Indie Rock
Indie Rock developed through independent music scenes in the United States and the United Kingdom, rather than one fixed sound or a single starting date. Indie rock is known for having a careful balance of experimentation alongside varying musical approaches that may not be compatible with mainstream tastes.
Their debut album “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” is filled with punk rock influences though the predominant sounds of Bass and hard Drums allow for a rush of narratives that beckons for repeated exposures.
Post-Punk Revival
Post-punk Revival is a sub-genre of indie rock that originated in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It draws on the angular guitars and tightly interlocking rhythms of earlier post-punk, often alongside the stripped-down approach of garage rock. The Arctic Monkeys’ early records share that emphasis on sharp riffs and rhythmic drive.
The album “Favourite Worst Nightmare” fits a bit into the post-punk revival genre and has been described as being more ambitious and heavier than the previous album with how louder and faster the record is. The Smiths offer a useful comparison for its more melodic side, although its fast riffs and slower moments make it more varied than one influence or a simple louder-and-faster description suggests.
Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock is a diverse style of rock music inspired by certain “perception-altering” substances.
On their Humbug album, the band utilized a wide variety of instruments they haven’t used before, with xylophones and shakers. The album’s overall tone is also more relaxed compared to their previous two albums.
Indie Pop
Indie Pop is both a music genre and a subculture that brings together Indie Rock and Pop music. It’s a slightly more mainstream genre but artists in this genre often like to distance themselves from the stereotypical pop star perception (and from their perspective, all of its negative connotations).
The album Suck It and See shows a departure for the band after the darker overtones of their previous album Humbug. Drummer Matt Helders said that they promised to deliver a more poppy and vintage sound compared to Humbug.
Blues Rock
The AM album has drawn inspiration from a wide array of genres, including indie rock, psychedelic rock, R&B, hip hop, and soul. Guitarist Jamie Cook also stated that The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was an inspiration for the album
The band took a different approach with recording AM compared to Suck It and See, with Lead Singer Alex Turner stating that it is more of a Studio Album. The emphasis on groove became the foundation of the songs on the record.
Psychedelic Pop
Psychedelic Pop combines melodic pop songwriting with unusual textures, studio effects and dreamlike arrangements. Tape manipulation and backwards sounds are possible tools, rather than requirements for every record in the style.
After the success of AM, Turner changed his writing approach, working at a piano while creating Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018). This brought a more subdued sound, with lounge-like arrangements and less predictable chord changes than the band’s early guitar songs. The later The Car (2022) continued that shift with prominent strings and spacious arrangements. Those records help explain why a single indie-rock label only tells part of the story.
Summary
The Arctic Monkeys were able to play around with different genres and sub-genres and ultimately find success with most if not all of them. With Indie Rock as their foundation, they’ve been conquering the alternative and indie music landscape with their diverse catalog and individual style.
Featured Image by: Bill Ebbesen – Own work, CC BY 3.0, Link
