Back To 505: An Arctic Monkeys Discography Journey

Picture this: you're sipping on your favorite brew, draped in your 'AM' tour tee, and that unmistakable crackle of vinyl fills the room. Yep. We're going back to 505!

It's time to dive into the eclectic world of Sheffield's finest aka Arctic Monkeys, where raw talent meets cool vibes, and vinyl records are the ultimate way to experience their music.

1/ 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' (2006)

"Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" – the album that made being a broke, rebellious youth feel like the VIP pass to the coolest party in town. Released back in 2006, it catapulted the Arctic Monkeys into indie rock superstardom, becoming the megaphone for a generation that was too busy living life to give a damn about societal opinions. With smash hits like "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and "When The Sun Goes Down," this Mercury Prize-winning record spun Sheffield grit into pure musical gold, all while making "Mardy Bum" the universal anthem for anyone who's ever been a tad, well, mardy. 

2/ 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' (2007)

Nope, you didn't dream it. Arctic Monkeys' 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' is real as they come – a cultural sonic detonation in 2007. It had more hooks than a tackle box and more swagger than a catwalk model on roller skates. With tracks like "Fluorescent Adolescent" and "505," it was like a shot of adrenaline straight to your eardrums, proving that Sheffield's finest were here to stay and ready to conquer the world, one blistering riff at a time.

3/ 'Humbug' (2009)

'Humbug' by the Arctic Monkeys, released in 2009, was like the band's experimental expedition into the dark side of the moon. It was the musical equivalent of that weird dream you can't quite shake off - odd but oddly mesmerizing. With hits like "Crying Lightning" and "Cornerstone," it was like a musical séance where the band summoned spirits of rock 'n' roll past and gave them a cool, edgy makeover, leaving listeners in a trance of alternative soundscapes.

4/ 'Suck It and See' (2011)

'Suck It & See,' unleashed in 2011, was the Arctic Monkeys' soundtrack of a summer romance – a little wild, a little unpredictable, and a whole lotta cool. Tracks like "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" and "She's Thunderstorms" had a swagger that made it feel like the Monkeys were daring you to resist their musical charm (spoiler alert: resistance was futile!). 

5/ 'AM' (2013)

We know that you know how this one already goes. Let us set the scene. It's 2013, your wardrobe is strictly Doc Martens and leather jackets, and this album has become your religion. Hits like "Do I Wanna Know?" and "R U Mine?" were an intoxicating cocktail of rock, R&B, and pure swagger – turning every late-night drive into a scene from a Tarantino movie. No wonder that this album remains their absolute cult classic.

6/ 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' (2018)

Dropping in 2018, 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' was Arctic Monkeys' musical equivalent of a cosmic vacation. It was an artistic curveball from the iconic band as  tracks like "Four Out of Five" and "Star Treatment" showed them fearlessly venturing into uncharted territory. This album was like a cool sip of moon juice for the ears, and could have easily soundtracked a Stanley Kubrick film.

7/ 'The Car' (2022)

Buckle up, y'all! We're going on a road trip! 'The Car' is a kaleidoscopic ride through musical wonderland with the band drawing from multiple genres including art rock, lounge pop, and vintage film soundtracks. Best believe that we are leaving 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' in the finest car and off to an interstellar destination that has only the best mirrorball there is.

So, you've had a whirlwind tour through the Arctic Monkeys' discography. Now, imagine immersing yourself in these sonic masterpieces on vinyl – that warm, analog embrace, the subtle crackling – it's a sensory experience like no other. It's time to dust off that turntable, flip through your vinyl collection, and make space for the Arctic Monkeys. Cos after all, nothing screams cool quite like the raw, unfiltered sound of Sheffield's rebels spinning on your record player.

(Photo of Alex Turner by Samir Hussein/WireImage)