Arctic Monkeys - ‘Opening Night’
The Sheffield rockers return after a four-year hiatus, heading up star-studded charity album ‘Help (2)’ with engrossing new song ‘Opening Night’.
To say that Arctic Monkeys are eclectic is much like calling the Oasis reunion anticipated, in the sense that it would be an understatement of epic proportions. In the 20 years since their exhilarating debut album ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’, Arctic Monkeys have switched up their sound, subverted expectations, and redefined their own image time and time again. From the moody desert rock of ‘Humbug’ to the stadium anthems of ‘AM’, the sci-fi jazz lounge of ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’ to the orchestral balladry of ‘The Car’, the band are the 21st Century’s answer to Bowie and The Beatles.
It’s understandable, then, that news of a new single in support of War Child was met with feverish expectancy, not least because it marked the band’s first new music since 2022. Acting as the lead single from upcoming charity album ‘Help(2)’, which will also feature the likes of Pulp, Fontaines D.C., Depeche Mode and Olivia Rodrigo, ‘Opening Night’ was met with much excitement. Online rumours that the song would act as a swansong for the beloved four-piece briefly muted celebrations, before drummer Matt Helders seemed to suggest otherwise: “[Making music is] something we love to do and we’ll always do”, he told Radio 1’s Jack Saunders in an interview to promote the song.
In any case, ‘Opening Night’ doesn’t sound like a farewell, but rather a fresh start. Fusing elements from ‘Humbug’, ‘AM’, ‘Tranquility Base’ & ‘The Car’ to create a distinct new sound, it finds Arctic Monkeys effortlessly pairing the anthemic choruses of old with the delicate textures of their most recent incarnation, producing something which feels comfortingly familiar but also thrillingly contemporary. In short, ‘Opening Night’ continues what every Arctic Monkeys album since their debut has achieved – picking up where they left off, and pushing their sound into the unexplored.
Beginning with a pulsating synth motif before a catchy acoustic riff adds structure, the song pulls you in instantly. When iconic frontman Alex Turner starts to sing - softly, deliberately - it’s hard not get swept up in the atmosphere his voice immediately elicits. After all, this is a man with no social media, limited public appearances, and a sense of privacy which eludes most other celebrities. As such, Alex Turner is arguably the last of the rock stars to retain a palpable sense of mystique, which makes hearing his voice again after a four-year hiatus strangely emotional.
As for what he’s singing about, well, that’s another matter entirely. Largely, the lyrics of ‘Opening Night’ appear to describe a power imbalance of some sort, with references to “loaded dice” making something “heavy on one side”. What he’s referring to specifically is up for interpretation, though corrupt political establishments enabling war, the battle between his past and present self, and the perils of AI are all popular readings.
The beauty of Turner’s lyricism is that it can switch from cryptic and metaphorical to amusingly blunt, often within the same song, and ‘Opening Night’ is no exception. “Massaging your forearms, holding your gaze/ Stealing your thunder, washing your brain”, is most likely a flowery description of someone staring at - and being influenced by - their mobile phone, while at the other end of the spectrum, “Ten years later, it’s been a decade” feels intentionally redundant. Whatever you make of the lyrics, there’s no denying that they’re as compelling as ever, boasting some brilliant turns of phrase (“Sticking your neck out, in a spiritual way”) which work wonderfully with the engrossing, increasingly melodic music.
Indeed, the chorus of ‘Opening Night’ is probably the most accessible thing Arctic Monkeys have released since their mega-hit ‘AM’, with its driving guitars and falsetto harmonies reminiscent of that album’s sonic palette. And yet, it also feels like a direct continuation of ‘The Car’s 70s soft rock stylings, particularly those of its standout song ‘Body Pant’, which became an electrifying live track. ‘Opening Night’ would surely be similarly kinetic live, though it doesn’t look like the band will be touring anytime soon.
No matter. What they - and all the other artists participating - have done to raise money and awareness for War Child is truly commendable, and yet another reason why Arctic Monkeys are the greatest band of the century.
Words by Ben Left
