Review: Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See

Following the disappointment of Humbug, Arctic Monkeys need a return to form to win back some of the fans disappointed by their foray into the dark world of desert rock.

They took to Sound City Studios, in Los Angeles, so as to sprinkle Suck It And See with the sort of summery, West Coast vibes that were absent from their third album.

The unseasonal sunshine adds pep to the Sheffield tyro's newest offering and there are a number of incendiary moments that won over so many fans on their stunning debut and sophomore release: Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not and Favourite Worst Nightmare.

Pop melodies placate, there are Stones Roses-style snatches of indie psychedelia, agile riffs and off-kilter rockers, though there are also pub-rock thrashes that have no place here.

Let's not get carried away – Suck It And See is not their finest hour. But it's a darn site better than Humbug.

By Andy Richardson