Arctic Monkeys have opened up on the polarising reaction to ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’, after their sixth studio album proved extremely divisive among fans.

Upon release in May, the record prompted huge debate among fans, with some likening it to “sci-fi Spandau Ballet”.

“Sure, there’s some nice textures on there, some interesting sounds and signature Alex Turner lyrics however it’s just Sci-Fi Spandau Ballet”, one fan claimed at the time.


But it seems that the polarising reaction hasn’t affected the band – with drummer Matt Helders admitting that he rarely reads the band’s reviews.

Speaking to Beats 1’s Matt Wilkinson, he admitted: “I’ve never found much use in reading the reviews, like in either direction – if it’s good or bad.”

For frontman Alex Turner, the polarising reaction was somewhat inescapable.

“That don’t mean it never gets back to you though – does it? You know with your mates or your relatives”, he admitted.

Although ‘Tranquility Base & Hotel’ has only been out for less than three months, Turner also admitted that the follow-up could come soon than expected.


“ You know, again I don’t know, we’ve not quite reached a conclusion on what we’re gonna do but, I’d like to, yeah”, he said of a rapid follow-up.

“Maybe just for the reason that, I’ve really been enjoying playing this one on the road and that excitement of playing together could lead to jumping back in the studio. Whereas, like when we made this Tranquility Base one, that wasn’t coming off the back of a tour.

“I remember we nearly did [go back into the studio] after AM, there were a moment where we were just like, “Let’s go and do another thing and keep going!” I’m glad we didn’t now but there was definitely an urge there to do that.”