Single Release: “Opening Night” by Arctic Monkeys
by Shannon Dutra
Arctic Monkeys have released their first track in four years, Opening Night. Released as part of War Child’s charity compilation album HELP(2), the track is a grand welcome back for a project supporting children in conflict.
The track opens with a subtle, slightly menacing drum pad. Its lyrics and atmosphere hint at an underlying threat, before giving way to an extravagant chorus. A soft guitar line weaves through the song, adding to the sense of mystery. Over its four-minute runtime, the track unfolds gradually. It’s a slow-burn approach the band honed on their 2022 album The Car.
The track’s strength is the chorus. Instantly recognizable as something only Arctic Monkeys could bring to life, this part of the track includes thoughtful melodic harmonies and signature lyricism from lead singer Alex Turner.
“Tonight is heavy on one side, it's all a lie / A set of cherry red and white loaded dice / You've got something on your mind and so have I / I can see it from here”
Other lyrics on this track play with words, from “popular slogans and a bucket of paint” to “supercomputers on a jolly crusade,” “Opening Night” doesn’t stray away from Turner’s surrealistic wordplay. The lyrics envision strangers meeting after hours, languid casinos, and spaces with uncertainty around the corner. There’s a strange, mysterious elegance in the lyrics that can also take on a dual interpretation. Conflict is heavy, and the track’s lyrics and sound reference that tension.
Opening Night is a strong first track to the HELP(2) album. It will appeal to fans who like their last two records and others who favor their earlier works. The track blends elements from 2022’s The Car with some theatrics from earlier albums like 2011’s eerie Humbug. Harnessing the best elements from their discography, Opening Night is an effective middle ground. The track is good enough to stand on its own for an important cause.
