The Car
A sophisticated, orchestral journey through modern disillusionment and the shadows of high society.
The Car stands as the seventh studio album by the British rock band Arctic Monkeys, marking a significant shift in their sonic landscape toward a more orchestral and jazz-inflected aesthetic. It represents a departure from the raw garage rock that defined their early years, embracing a darker, cinematic atmosphere that many fans view as the band's most mature statement to date.
Last updated 2026-09-29 from the source article.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Arctic Monkeys
- Released
- 21 October 2022
- Recorded
- 2021
- Genre
- Art rock
- orchestral rock
- baroque pop
- funk
- lounge pop
- Length
- 37:18
- Label
- Domino
- Producer
- James Ford
Facts from the source article.
Background
The musical storytelling within this record relies heavily on mood rather than straightforward rock anthems. The instrumentation often mimics the feeling of driving through empty city streets at night or sitting in a grand, echoing hall where every word feels heavy with meaning. This era is defined by a sense of detachment; the narrator observes the world from behind a windshield, watching the lights blur and the people pass by, creating a story that is as much about what is left unsaid as it is about the lyrics themselves.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | There'd Better Be a Mirrorball | 4:25 | |
| 2 | I Ain't Quite Where I Think I Am | 3:11 | |
| 3 | Sculptures of Anything Goes | Turner, Jamie Cook | 3:59 |
| 4 | Jet Skis on the Moat | Turner, Tom Rowley | 3:17 |
| 5 | Body Paint | 4:50 | |
| 6 | The Car | 3:19 | |
| 7 | Big Ideas | 3:57 | |
| 8 | Hello You | 4:04 | |
| 9 | Mr Schwartz | Turner, Rowley | 3:30 |
| 10 | Perfect Sense | 2:47 | |
| Total length | 37:19 | ||
Track listing from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The album title was chosen to reflect the central motif of vehicles and movement that runs through several tracks.
- The production style was heavily influenced by classic jazz records and 1960s baroque pop aesthetics.
- It is widely considered one of the most sonically distinct albums in the band's entire discography.
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