VIDEO: 'I'd run out of tricks' - Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner reveals hidden struggle over writing new album

Arctic Monkeys' frontman Alex Turner has revealed the hidden struggle to come up with new ideas for the Sheffield band's forthcoming album.
Arctic Monkeys.Arctic Monkeys.
Arctic Monkeys.

The indie rockers are set to release their sixth studio album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino on May 11 and have announced a string of live dates in support of it.

READ MORE: VIDEO: Arctic Monkeys announce UK and Ireland tour including Sheffield datesThe four-piece have granted their comeback interview to music magazine Mojo and Turner told how he initially struggled to find inspiration for the band's new album when he started writing it in January 2016.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: "I have to find ways to trick myself into writing songs. But this time, I’d run out of tricks.

“I was lost and didn’t really have any ideas about what I was going to do.”

It was only when he sat down at a piano that the songs began to flow.

READ MORE: Fans' anger over price of Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys gig ticketsHe added: "By sitting at the piano, doing this thing that I haven’t done before, that gave me permission to go somewhere I’d had trouble getting to before.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It allowed me to put across how I feel more broadly than before.”

Guitarist Jamie Cook went on to reveal that the album was at one point considered as a Turner solo record instead.

He said: “I think at first, because it was quite basic – piano, vocal and no guitar – Al was in two minds about, ‘Is this Arctic Monkeys or am I going somewhere else with this’.

“And maybe at first I was a bit like that as well."

READ MORE: Leeds Festival organiser gives a big hint over Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys' future Turner revealed the lyrics were written in a more “autobiographical” manner than before and added: "I’m having a word with myself, intermittently, throughout all 11 tunes.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The band also revealed the opening line of the album on the track ‘Star Treatment’ sees Turner sing the lyric: “I just wanted to be one of The Strokes, now look at the mess you made me make/Hitchhiking with a monogrammed suitcase, miles away from any half-useful imaginary highway.”

The band, which formed in High Green in 2002, will visit the Fly DSA Arena in Sheffield in September as part of a tour of the UK and Ireland.