Arctic Monkeys - Leave Before The Lights Come On (Domino)
UK release date: 14 August 2006
It's hard to believe that it was only a year ago that Arctic Monkeys were still playing grotty pubs in Sheffield, preparing for the Reading Festival appearance that would push them on their way to being the biggest band in Britain. Yet now, it appears that the meteoric rise has had some unwanted side-effects, with the departure of bassist Andy Nicholson and a dark, paranoid vibe to the band's previous EP.
As it follows Nicholson's departure, Leave Before The Lights Come On certainly has that 'end of a chapter' feel about it, as it's the last single the band will release before recording their second album. The usual spiky little pop tune has some typically wry lyrics from Alex Turner about the emptiness of a one-night stand ("How can you wake up with someone you don't love, and not feel slightly fazed by it"). It builds up a nice head of steam until the plantitive last cry of "I'll walk you home, what time's the bus come" and ends up sounding oddly poignant.
It's also accompanied by a quite brilliant video starring Paddy Considine, and it's more proof that any backlash is still very wide of the mark. Hurry back soon, lads.
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