Alex Turner: Arctic Monkeys' huge rise to fame was "a shock to the system"

In an interview for The Big Issue magazine, Arctic Monkey's Alex Turner explained the band doesn't "feel the need to prove [themselves] as much" ahead of their forthcoming new album. The interview with Martin Compston covers topics all the way from the band's origins to their October 2022 record, The Car.

"At the time it happened very quickly and was a shock to the system. We topped the charts for the first time and everything became quite different very quickly," Turner said about the band's rise to fame.

The Arctic Monkeys debuted in 2006 with studio album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. The indie-rock band has released six studio albums, all of which have reached No. 1 on the UK Official Album Charts. Their last outing was Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino, which arrived in 2018.

They've now announced their seventh album The Car, which will be released in October.

Of the new album, Turner explained, "[our beginning] probably does feel about 20 years ago, but that's an interesting one, isn't it? Because sometimes you feel like you could walk through a door and be right back there. I'm trying to scratch a little bit of that feeling here on the new record. It feels like a long time ago, but it can be right behind you. Something reminds you and it takes you back."

After many years of undeniable success, Turner and the band are much more confident in their abilities. "I've also had phases where I'm like, I need to get on top of all my references, but now you don't feel the need to prove yourself as much."

Arctic Monkeys will be headlining Electric Picnic this weekend. The Car will be released on October 21st via Domino Records.