Arctic Monkeys: New Single In Aid Of War Child

By Gabe Spektor

After years of near silence, Arctic Monkeys have returned with a new single, “Opening Night” in aid of War Child in the just-announced Help(2) charity album. Rumoured to be an outtake from the AM era, the track arrives at a bridge between what the band once was to a curious tomorrow that never knows.

Alex Turner’s vocals remains intimately cinematic of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino and The Car, while the song’s overdriven, nocturnal riff recalls the AM sound. Lyrically, Turner continues to use figurative language and imagery that only he can convey. Lines such as:

“Popular slogans in a bucket of paint / Supercomputer on a jolly crusade”

“Tonight is heavy on one side, it’s all a lie / A set of cherry red and white loaded dice”

Turner then looks into the rear-view mirror of the past with lines:

“Ten years later, it’s been a decade / Coming together in a suitable space”

“Please don’t fall in love with everything on opening night / Flash back to infinity just one more time.”

 

There’s a sense of anticipation, fascinated by the idea of beginnings in uncertain times. Another rumour that spawned the same time in the lead-up to the release, was the possible end of Arctic Monkeys. Whether those rumours are true or not, the band now appears to be peering out toward a tomorrow no one can yet define.

Until that picture becomes clearer, you can support the War Child charity by streaming the album, buying it in physical format (CD/Vinyl) if you can, and waiting for Alex Turner to explain to you what a decade is.