Matt Helders says Arctic Monkeys will “never” return to old sound
"I mean, it’s never gonna be like ‘R U Mine?’ and all that stuff again. You know, the heavy riffs and stuff"
Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders has teased what to expect from the band’s seventh album, saying they will “never” return to their old sound.
The band are expected to release the follow-up to 2018’s ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’ this year, with Helders saying last November that the album is “pretty much” ready.
Speaking as part of the DrumathonLIVE event, Helders was asked what fans can expect from the Sheffield band’s long-awaited new album.
“It kinda picks up where the other one [‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’] left off musically,” Helders began. “I mean, it’s never gonna be like [2012 single] ‘R U Mine?’ and all that stuff again. You know, the heavy riffs and stuff.”
He went on: “There are riffs in there and [it’s] a bit more up-tempo, even though it’s not loud. It’s hard to explain!”
When asked by Radio 5 Live Breakfast if the new album was “ready to go” late last year, Helders said: “Yeah, pretty much, yeah. It was a bit disjointed how we had to do it, and there are bits to finish off, but yeah, it’s all in the works.”
He added that he thinks the album will be released in 2022. “I think by the time we get everything together it’ll be next year. Hopefully we can get out and tour next summer,” he said.
The band have announced a host of festival dates for 2022, including Reading & Leeds, and you can see the band’s schedule in full below.
AUGUST 2022
9 – Istanbul, Turkey, Zorlu PSM
10 – Istanbul, Turkey, Zorlu PSM
12 – Burgas, Bulgaria, Port Of Burgas
13 – Buftea, Romania, Summer Well Festival
15 – Budapest, Hungary, Sziget Festival
16 – Pula, Croatia, Arena Pula
18 – Prague, Czech Republic, Výstaviště Praha
23 – Zürich, Switzerland, Zürich Openair
25 – Paris, France, Rock En Seine
SEPTEMBER 2022
01 – Malaga, Spain, Cala Mijas Festival
02 – Lisbon, Portugal, Kalorama
12-18 – Los Angeles, Primavera Sound