AM
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
AM Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 694 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Produced by James Ford and Ross Orton, the fifth full-length studio release for the indie rock band includes guest appearances by Josh Homme, Bill Ryder-Jones, and Pete Thomas.
Buy On

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 9, 2013
    100
    Arctic Monkeys’ fifth record is absolutely and unarguably the most incredible album of their career. It might also be the greatest record of the last decade.
  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    Sep 25, 2013
    90
    In the end AM not only signifies a career-defining moment that neatly places the band on a proper pedestal for all to admire--this is where not only Arctic Monkeys have come but in many ways, how they’ve masterfully conquered and continue to simply win.
  3. Beats Per Minute (formerly One Thirty BPM)
    Sep 9, 2013
    86
    AM is a pitch black party record, full of menacing pop and grimy, indelible grooves drowned in bourbon.
  4. The Observer (UK)
    Sep 9, 2013
    80
    There is a depth--a willingness to experiment, a refusal to be pigeonholed--that rewards repeated listens and makes this their most coherent, most satisfying album since their debut. Where they go next is anybody's guess.
  5. PopMatters
    Sep 10, 2013
    80
    With its multi-layered and complex music (incorporating many subgenres of rock and a great many styles in one cohesive whole), this is a great album for repeat listening, regardless of content.
  6. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 4, 2013
    78
    AM's a heavy seduction, restless and all the better for it.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 5, 2013
    50
    AM lacks that character empathy: rather than being detached--ie, cool, wry, transverted--Turner is removed (impulsive, anxious, dull) and it is this subtle distinction that shoots AM down in its shiny leather metal-toed boots.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 88
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 88
  3. Negative: 5 out of 88
  1. OpinionatedGuy
    Sep 7, 2014
    10
    I heard of Arctic Monkeys a few months ago by a couple of friends who love their music. I wasn’t really interested to listen to this album atI heard of Arctic Monkeys a few months ago by a couple of friends who love their music. I wasn’t really interested to listen to this album at that time but as my music taste have been expanded over the summer, I gained interest into listening to Arctic Monkeys. It’s no wonder why this album has won so many awards including the BRIT Award for Best British Album of the Year as well as gaining more fans for the band which includes myself after listening to this album.

    The best part of this album was the sound. I feel like a totally different person during the entire album. I feel like a cool person with a cigarette in my mouth (though I don’t encourage smoking) in a gig with a lot of people in the crowd and I blend in very well. I never expected to like this kind of sound considering I am quite a pop person myself.

    The lyrics fits the sound of the album. Sure, the themes are not thought-provoking but I like the themes here which is about partying, a hot girl,etc., without them going through the cliches of exploring those kinds of themes.

    The vocals from Alex Turner were great. He has the voice for a great rock band. He has that voice I want to hear from a rock song.

    I sense that during production, Arctic Monkeys must have been experimenting some new stuff for this album and I like it when artists experiment. This makes me want to hear their previous albums which I will soon considering their sound was way different when they released their debut album.

    I never expected that I would like all the songs from this album. This is quite rare so that means I really really really like this album.

    If you’re wondering why Arctic Monkeys are considered the best band of their generation by some music critics, check this album out. Who knows? You might end up being a fan just like me.    … Expand
  2. AnalyDewa
    Nov 26, 2013
    10
    These guys really are Alex Turner put to is simply one of the best albums of the decade and for me there was no better release that ''AM''These guys really are Alex Turner put to is simply one of the best albums of the decade and for me there was no better release that ''AM'' in 2013. Arctic Monkeys since its debut, when they were still young and had the appearance of a garage band, only been evolving positively, this album now, until we see influences from genres of black music built, worth listening every minute of this album. Recommend!… Expand
  4. Rokster
    Sep 10, 2013
    10
    One of the best proper rock albums in a while. They managed to merge the sounds of the past two records into something magical. A seriousOne of the best proper rock albums in a while. They managed to merge the sounds of the past two records into something magical. A serious contender for album of the year!… Expand
  5. DarkBates
    Nov 6, 2013
    9
    I really like it. The Alex's voice is orgasmic! And just saying, but to me the 3 last songs are definitely the best! PS: the songs don'tI really like it. The Alex's voice is orgasmic! And just saying, but to me the 3 last songs are definitely the best! PS: the songs don't deserve the videos, could be betterin this point...… Expand
  6. TheArchetypes
    Sep 9, 2016
    8
    This is a fantastic record, and I thought a completely unexpected twist for the band. They took the rock sound from the last couple of albums,This is a fantastic record, and I thought a completely unexpected twist for the band. They took the rock sound from the last couple of albums, knocked it up a notch in a few songs (Do I Wanna Know and R U Mine of course), added some catchy falsetto chanting and sprinkled in some interesting older influences. The vocals seriously comes into its own on this album, I realised how fantastic the style and lyricism have become in this record.… Expand
  7. Vinceletah
    Nov 15, 2013
    8
    A very good record! The production gave me FIRST the feeling that many songs were variations on each others! I got over it to appreciate manyA very good record! The production gave me FIRST the feeling that many songs were variations on each others! I got over it to appreciate many well written songs. Not as perfect as many claim it is, in my opinion!… Expand
  8. fajnydamian
    Oct 13, 2015
    0
    Poor and weak **** for hipsters and tumblr fans. I don't understand how could they make such a boring album. I can't remember any of thesePoor and weak **** for hipsters and tumblr fans. I don't understand how could they make such a boring album. I can't remember any of these songs. Maybe only two first singles - they were quite good but it's not the same Arctic Monkeys I liked.… Expand

See all 88 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2013, Music

    2013 Music Critic Top Ten Lists

    2013 Music Critic Top Ten Lists Image
    Published: December 4, 2013
    Throughout the coming weeks, we'll be collecting year-end top 10 album lists from dozens of music critics, publications, record stores, and other sources. Find individual lists and this year's cumulative rankings inside.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Best Album of 2013
15
#15 Most Discussed Album of 2013

Current Music Releases

Full List »
98 Homecoming: The Live Album - Beyoncé
97 Coltrane '58: The Prestige Recordings [Box Set] - John Coltrane
95 Originals - Prince
94 Gold & Grey - Baroness
91 Titanic Rising - Weyes Blood
91 Grey Area - Little Simz
90 LEGACY! LEGACY! - Jamila Woods
89 Rolling Thunder Revue: The 1975 Live Recordings [Box Set] - Bob Dylan
89 When I Get Home - Solange
89 Psychodrama - Dave
88 Patty Griffin - Patty Griffin
88 Kankyō Ongaku: Japanese Ambient, Environmental & New Age Music 1980-1990 - Various Artists
88 Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest - Bill Callahan
88 Ancestral Recall - Christian Scott
88 Designer - Aldous Harding
88 U.F.O.F. - Big Thief
88 Ilana: The Creator - Mdou Moctar
87 Dogrel - Fontaines DC
87 Out of Sight - Jake Xerxes Fussell
87 High Crimes - The Damned Things
All Current Music »