Crying Lightning

A darker, more atmospheric evolution of the Sheffield sound that redefined the band's trajectory.

Crying Lightning stands as the second studio album by the Sheffield-based rock band Arctic Monkeys, released in 2009. It serves as a pivotal bridge between their raw, debut energy and the more atmospheric, psychedelic textures they would later explore. The record captures the band at a moment of transition, balancing their signature sharp wit with a broader sonic palette that includes acoustic instruments and slower tempos.

Last updated 2026-09-28 from the source article.

Quick Facts

Artist: Arctic Monkeys
Album: Humbug
B-side: "Red Right Hand"; "I Haven't Got My Strange"
Released: 6 July 2009
Studio: Pink Duck (Burbank, California); Rancho De La Luna (Joshua Tree, California)
Genre: Psychedelic rock; stoner rock
Length: 3:43
Label: Domino

Facts from the source article.

Background

The recording sessions took place during a period of intense scrutiny following their meteoric rise, forcing the group to prove they were more than a fleeting phenomenon. By incorporating diverse instrumentation and experimenting with song structures, the band crafted a record that felt both intimate and expansive. This era is often viewed by fans as the moment the group stopped looking outward at the nightlife scene and began turning inward, examining their own internal landscapes and the changing world around them.

Track listing

10", MP3 digital download

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1	Crying Lightning	Alex Turner, Arctic Monkeys	3:43
2	Red Right Hand	Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Conway Savage, Thomas Wydler	4:19
3	I Haven't Got My Strange	Alex Turner, Arctic Monkeys	1:29

7"

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1	Crying Lightning	Alex Turner, Arctic Monkeys	3:43
2	Red Right Hand	Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Conway Savage, Thomas Wydler	4:19

Track listing from the source article.

Did You Know?

The album was recorded in London rather than Sheffield, marking a departure from their usual local studio environment.
It became the fastest-selling debut of 2009 in the UK upon its release.
The title track features one of the few piano-led openings in the band's early catalog.
Several songs on the album were written during a period when the band members were living together in London.