The mid-2000s introduced us to the most popular and successful rock bands today. Arctic Monkeys’ debut in 2006 was the fastest-selling debut album in Great Britain with their high-energy, youthful garage rock sound, paving way for anticipation for the band’s future. The following years since their debut introduced more experimental albums from the band, creating a versatile discography. Here’s a list of the top three Arctic Monkeys albums.

• Humbug

Arctic Monkeys’ third studio album Humbug first released on August 20th, 2009. Their lead single “Crying Lightning” established a dark, sullen atmosphere with deeper vocals sung by frontman Alex Turner, complimented by distorted electric guitars and heavier drums. ‘Crying Lighting’ set the stage for Humbug’s mysterious, moody, yet sinister environment, making it stand out more than its predecessors.

The meticulous production of Humbug experimented with instruments such as shakers, xylophones, and the notable haunting organ from “Pretty Visitors.” Straying away from Favourite Worst Nightmare’s indie and garage-rock sound, Humbug dove deeper into psychedelic, stoner, and hard rock, expanding the band’s range of subgenres.

Each song never sounds the same, making the album feel diverse while maintaining cryptic themes alongside an ominous ambience. From the melodic “Secret Door” to the twanging riffs of “Potion Approaching,” it’s awe-inspiring how the transitions to each song work so well despite having their differing appeal.

Humbug is acclaimed for Alex Turner’s impressive wordplay and imagery that creates an exceptional flow between each song’s storytelling. The remarkable lyricism is noteworthy in songs such as “The Jeweller’s Hands” and “Dance Little Liar.” Turner’s writing of Humbug constructed a unique narrative of themes such as longing, dissatisfaction, manipulation, deception, repulse and attraction.

As Humbug serves as a vital stepping stone in the bands’ career, it also seeks the patience and respect from the listener to truly enjoy it. Although the album is overlooked, it can potentially grow on you with its listenability being improved upon each listen. It’s never too late to appreciate a masterpiece.

• Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

After Arctic Monkeys’ three-year hiatus following AM’s success, Alex Turner focused on his side-project “The Last Shadow Puppets” with Miles Kane, releasing their second studio album “Everything You’ve Come to Expect” in 2016. 

“Everything You’ve Come to Expect” inspired Arctic Monkeys’ sixth studio album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’s (2018) experimental genres of space rock/pop, lounge pop, and the influence of jazz, creating one of their finest experimental albums.

Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’s shift in sound was bemusing for fans who don’t listen to “The Last Shadow Puppets,” but it never failed to disappoint. The five-minute intro of “Star Treatment” set the mood of sitting in a retro-futuristic lounge serenaded by a singer sounding from the 1960s, accompanied by the view of space from a colossal window. 

Alex Turner’s impressive falsetto makes the album sound luxuriously charming, accompanied by the combination of drums, guitar, vintage keyboards, and synths, which make listening to this album an interstellar experience, especially when giving an ear to “American Sports” and “Batphone.” 

Not to mention the imagery and lyricism; Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino contains some of the best lyrics and writing from Turner. His storytelling creates vivid imagery of what kind of world we’re introduced to that makes Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino a great escape from reality. 

From corrupt politicians to the “chimes of freedom that fell to bits,” and “the shining city on the fritz,” the apocalyptic earth characterized in Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino describes a dreadful scenario with only one getaway: the hotel on the moon. The songs dive into various characters’ marvels of the hotel and creates a grand tale about the people that inhabit Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.

Concepts and advancements of modern technology portrayed in the album’s lyricism makes it unparalleled to its predecessor’s content. With its incredible production, writing, and experimentation, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is an enjoyable, immersive listening experience, earning its respective place on this list.

• Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

It’s not an Arctic Monkeys top album list without their iconic debut, originally released on January 29th, 2006. This album captures the essence of life as a British teen absorbed in pub culture, relationships, and lovelife, caught in the thrill of excitement and misadventures. 

The album’s songs were released in an unofficial compilation called “Beneath the Boardwalk,” featuring eighteen demos that were burned onto CDs and passed out at the band’s gigs for free in 2004. This culminated in a humble predebut audience via the internet (specifically MySpace) from the distribution of the demos.

After the release of their debut album “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not,” it turned them from an underground group into the now mainstream stars of rock.

This fast-paced album features their best hits, such as “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor,” known as one of Britain’s rock anthems, and “Mardy Bum,” the song that heals nostalgia.

Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not lives to its hype as one of the most successful debuts. Alex Turner’s raw and energetic vocals give the album personality and life. The album can be a bit unpredictable with each songs’ structure and techniques, but it adds to the overall quality. It exceeds expectations as a youthful, lively, and adventurous-packed tale of everyday life.

From the fierce and swift pace of side A and the dynamic side B, you never get enough of this album. Whichever song it may be, the album is perfect for dancing, a late-night drive, or in my personal experience, just chilling or simply appreciating it.

As this album remains relevant in rock history, so does Arctic Monkeys’ adventurous discography. From upbeat atmospheric songs to exploring deeper levels of lyricism, the calculated production of their albums leaves a long-lasting impression on every genre they’ve experimented with, defining a well-rounded band who’s fearless of sharing their ideas. It’s undeniable that these albums have the greatest impact on the band’s career and their development of acquiring new sound beyond what others can grasp.