Arctic Monkeys Preview New Album Online

Arctic Monkeys previewed five new songs on a live internet web cast last night, giving fans a taste of material from new album ‘Humbug‘. As ever, the band were in a quiet mood, quickly rattling through a set which also included a cover of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds track ‘Red Right Hand’ which will appear as a bonus track on Japanese editions of the album. The short set consisted of ‘Pretty Visitors’, new single ‘Crying Lightning’, ‘Potion Approaching’, ‘Red Right Hand‘ and ‘Secret Door’.

Meanwhile, two men involved in the production of the record, Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme and James Ford, have given their thoughts on the album.

Speaking to GQ magazine, Homme praised the lyrical prowess of singer Alex Turner: “I was sucked in at first by the lyrics. Alex sounded like a rare poet playing music – he has a special gift for the gab,” said Homme. He also praised the drumming abilities of Matt Helders, labelling him as “one of the best drummers in rock ‘n’ roll”.

James Ford, who is a member of remixing duo Simian Mobile Disco, and has produced records for the likes of  Klaxons and Florence & The Machine, said he feels people will be shocked by the album. “It’s a really great record. A lot slower, deeper and desert like. Really great lyrics and melodies, I think anyone who only liked the first album might be a bit shocked,” he told Gigwise. “They’re trying to be an interesting and creative band and move things forward and they’re a talented enough band to achieve that.”

The new album is released on August 24th.