Arctic Monkeys‘ third album, the Josh Homme-produced Humbug, is a solid-but-unspectacular collection of desert rock that scales back the group’s usual garage-y post-punk snottiness in favour of cryptic lyrics and atmospheric production. The collection’s clear standout is “Cornerstone,” a mid-tempo ballad about being haunted by a breakup. The lyrics are classic Alex Turner, with vivid detail and scathing wit; the tune itself, however, sounds closer to the Kinks, with breezy acoustic strumming and jangling electric leads.
The song recently got the video treatment it deserves. It’s a simple but weirdly compelling clip, featuring Turner singing into a tape recorder in front of a plain white background. He hams it up admirably, serenading the camera and performing campy hand gestures that go along with the lyrics. Given that he spends most live shows staring blankly out over the audience, this video is a surprising display of charisma from the Monkeys’ frontman.
Humbug is out now via Domino.
The song recently got the video treatment it deserves. It’s a simple but weirdly compelling clip, featuring Turner singing into a tape recorder in front of a plain white background. He hams it up admirably, serenading the camera and performing campy hand gestures that go along with the lyrics. Given that he spends most live shows staring blankly out over the audience, this video is a surprising display of charisma from the Monkeys’ frontman.
Humbug is out now via Domino.
