Arctic Monkeys - ‘There’d Better Be A Mirrorball’ Review: A cinematic return
It feels like you’re falling, drowning in yourself in a candle-lit room, as the world built in your movie collapses around you.
★★★★★★★★★★
Credit: Arctic Monkeys 📸
There’d Better Be A Mirrorball is the debut single from Arctic Monkeys first album in almost 4 years (’The Car’, October 21st), after exploring life on the Moon with sci-fi & lounge record Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino - it seems, Alex Turner has returned to Earth, with a heartbreak greater than anything he found in outer space.
I'd just arrived home from 5 days at Reading Festival. Flashbacks of Arctic Monkeys' swaggering home-return show were hot on my mind, seeing one of the biggest bands of the last two decades captivate 100,000 people.
A moment of history had been crafted in front of my eyes, but more so, curiosity was brewing after hearing a preview to upcoming album “The Car”. The zeros lined up (😉) and I noticed a single had dropped, I was not disappointed.
There’d Better Be A Mirrorball is one of the most visceral, cinematic and poignant pieces of work Arctic Monkeys have created, capturing the essence of heartbreak, and the introspection and grief that consequently follow gorgeously.
Alex T has proven a knack for incredible songwriting, and with this he's become a Bowie-level lyrical genius.
A pounding piano pumps in the background, reminiscent of a skipped heartbeat when sadness evokes no words, just breathlessness. Accompanying that is a subtle, but noticeable, grungy bass line and drumbeat, with eery keys rounding off a 1950’s cinema feel. Jamie Cook also plays a beautiful keyboard chord pattern that becomes the bones of the song.
Opening with 'Don’t get emotional, that ain’t like you, yesterday’s still eeking through the roof', instantly sets the scene for Alex’s introspective piece, beginning with an extremely raw and self-aware piece of music, something he’s struggled with in the past. It takes elements from their controversial (but critically acclaimed) last album and adds in elements of AM.
I can’t work out whether Turner is singing to himself, or his ex-partner. Judging from the lines that follow up ('…I know I promised this is what I wouldn’t do, somehow giving it the old romantic fool…') it’s likely himself.
'If you wanna walk me to the car, you oughta know I’ll have a heavy heart” alludes to the harsh reality that this relationship is done, backed by verse lyrics “for the moment when you look them in the eyes and say, baby, it’s been nice'.
It sounds as if Turner has committed to a breakup (after three years, by the way) albeit reluctantly, and after doing so, has asked to return to the car as if nothing has happened. It’s an interesting line, as it’s usually the ‘gentleman’s job’ to walk the lady to the car, in this case, Alex has asked, and it feels like he realises how it sounds afterwards.
This isn’t the first time a ‘car’ has been involved in an AM track, though, think back to Do Me A Favour and Cornerstone - it’s a staple feature, and intensely poignant. A car can be used as a vehicle (even, literally) for the ending of a partnership, there’s something very final about it. It’s the end of the road, the story is about to finish.
Turner continues, 'So can we please be absolutely sure, that there’s a mirrorball', opening up to huge speculation. In the midst of heartbreak, Alex is either asking for one final dance, to delay the inevitable parting of ways, or to be in a place where if he’s to see his own reflection, it’s distorted, particularly if he’s done wrong. Whichever you believe, the consistent theme is avoidance, introspection and discomfort.
The second verse doesn’t hold back either, as Turner asks his (now) ex-partner to 'throw the rose tint back on the exploded view'.
He’s never been this open, or earnest before. The heartbreak from Alexa Chung (2011) brought to life the biggest rock album of Arctic Monkeys' career, AM. Hearing how Turner expresses himself now shows how much the group have matured and progressed.
It’s a mesmerising piece of music. The song makes you feel like you’re falling, drowning in yourself (almost) in a candle-lit room, as the world built in your movie collapses all around you.
If an emotional finale had a sound, this is it.
Now, it’s your turn. Give it a spin, and tell us what you think on Insta or X.
Rating: 10/10
Thank you for reading, why not stick around? 🖤
