An Alt-Rock Addict's Music Recommendations

By Jillian Ducker

My dad has always been an alt-rock music junkie, so I grew up listening to 80s and early 2000s alternative music. Long car rides were always an excuse for my dad to carefully curate a new alt-rock playlist. At the age of 10, I would have told you my favourite bands were Vampire Weekend, the Kooks, the Fratelli’s, and of course, the Arctic Monkeys. In high school, my addiction only worsened as my friends fell in love with alt-rock as well. We would spend hours together finding new music and artists to fall in love with. For a lot of my friends who didn’t grow up on alternative music, finding the Arctic Monkeys was their gateway drug into the world of alt. If you find yourself similarly hooked on “R U Mine?” or “Dancing Shoes”, and in desperate need of more alternative music, this article is for you. Find your favourite Artic Monkeys album in the list and build your new alt playlist.

Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not

The Arctic’s first full album released in 2006 is the epitome of an early 2000s alternative album in that they do a little bit of everything. There are heavy electric-guitar and drums standing strong behind Alex Turner’s gritty almost punk-esque vocals in driving alt-rock tracks “Dancing Shoes” and “I Bet That You Look Good On The Dance Floor.” There are rock ballads such as “Riot Van” and “Mardy Bum” which lyrically keep the vibe of the album but with slower and softer instrumentals. At times they even mix the two styles with songs like “When the Sun Goes Down” which starts like a rock ballad only to switch into a much faster, harder rock song.

For another album that does it all, look at Cage the Elephant’s 2013 album Melophobia. From acoustic tracks like “Cigarette Daydreams” to punk-inspired tracks like “Teeth”, Melophobia feels like an ode to the Arctic’s first album. Similarly, Manêskin, who rose to fame after the 2021 Eurovision competition, have named the Arctic Monkeys as one of the inspirations for their music and it shows on their 2021 album Teatro D’Ira Vol. I. Their song “Zitti E Buoni” sounds as if it could come off of the Arctic’s debut album if not for its Italian lyrics.  Finally, if you like the gritty, driving instrumentals in tracks “Still Take You Home” and “Fake Tales of San Francisco”, but want something a little more subdued, check out Yuck’s 2011 eponymous album. “The Wall” and “Get Away” which feature heavy gritty instrumentals with more muted vocals.  

Favourite Worst Nightmare

The Arctic’s second album was released just a year later in 2007, and again explored a lot of different sounds. It featured punk inspired songs like “Teddy Picker”, driving ballads such as “505” and “Do Me a Favour”, and more blues inspired rock songs like “Fluorescent Adolescence” (one of my all-time favourite songs). 

If you find yourself especially drawn to songs like “Fluorescent Adolescence”, check out Belle and Sebastian, especially their 2006 album, The Life Pursuit. Their track “The Blues are still Blue” keeps that bluesy rock sound but without the gritty guitar the Arctic are known for in this era. The next artist is another one of those gateway drug artists that everyone seems to know at least one song by. The Strokes 2001 album Is This It?  undoubtably influenced the sound of the Arctic’s second album. You’ve most likely heard the track “Last Nite” from the album already but check out “Someday” and “Take it or Leave it” to get a sense of some of the music that inspired the Arctic Monkeys. Last, though certainly not least, the Black Keys are another great band to listen to in general if you like the Arctic Monkeys mix of alt-rock and blues. Their 2011 album El Camino is a brilliant listen, as is their 2010 album Brothers.

Humbug

The Arctic’s third album, released in 2009, remains similar in style to their previous two albums, mixing styles of songs, but with the addition of more psychedelic rock influences in the songs “Corner Store”, “Fire and the Thud” and “The Jeweller’s Hand.” The album is overall perhaps slightly softer than some of their previous albums but it still retains its traditional alt-rock sound in the songs “Crying Lightening” and “My Propellor.”

If the psychedelic inspired guitar riffs are your thing, check out Declan Mckenna’s 2020 album Zeroes. “Beautiful Faces” in particular fits in nicely alongside the tracks on Humbug. If the grungier alt-rock side of Humbug is more your thing, check out Party Favors by Sir Chloe released in 2020. Her songs “Animal” and “Too Close” carry the Arctics early 2000s grunge sound in an exciting new direction. To round out, the Wombats entire discography fits in nicely with Humbugs sound, especially their 2015 album Glitterbug. The album similarly combines psychedelic influences with a harder alt-rock sound. Be sure to listen to “Your Body is a Weapon” if you need to rock out, and “Emoticons” if you’re in that psychedelic rock mood.

Suck It and See

The Arctic’s fourth album, released in 2011, continued to push their sound in new directions while still retaining influences from their previous albums. It takes on an almost 1950s rock style with jazz influences while retaining the psychedelic rock influences and the traditional alt. rock sound that put them on the map.

If you like the slightly softer, jazzier alt-rock sound, try listening to the Cold War Kids. This is another one of those bands who I’ve been listening to for as long as I remember, and while their whole discography is incredibly strong, their 2015 album Hold My Home is particularly good. I recommend starting with “Hot Coals” and “All This Could be Yours.” Similarly, recent sensation, The Backseat Lovers 2019 album When We Were Friends has a similar sound to Suck it and See. Their song “Kilby Girl” went viral on TikTok over the summer, and while it is undoubtably a great song, you should also listen to “Pool House” and “Davy Crochet” for that 1950s inspired alt-rock sound. To end on an oldie, but a goodie, The New Pornographers 2000 album Mass Romantic is a great listen with instrumentals that are bound to impress. Their song “The Slow Descent into Alcoholism” reminds me of the Arctic’s track, “Black Treacle”, and is definitely worth a listen.

AM

This album, released in 2013, put the Arctic Monkeys on the map in America. People finally knew who I was talking about when I said the Arctic Monkeys were one of my favourite bands. The album is a perfect combination of the variety of sounds that had come before into something new and exciting.

My first recommendation for this album was released the same year as AM  – Portugal the Man’s masterpiece, Evil Friends. Their sound is so trippy while retaining influences form the traditional 2000s alt. rock sound that the Arctic helped establish. Take a listen to “Creep in a T-Shirt” and “Purple, Yellow, Red, and Green” for a taste, but I promise the entire album is worth your time. Additionally, Alt-J’s entire discography is an essential if you like rock with heavy electronic and psychedelic influences. Start with their 2012 album An Awesome Wave and then move to This is All Yours (2014) and RELAXER (2017). To round out the AM recommendation, check out Glass Animals 2014 album, ZABA. They are another band with an incredibly unique sound that combines similar psychedelic, electronic, and alt-rock influences. I would start with tracks like “Gooey” and “Black Mambo” to get a sense of their sound.

Tranquillity Base Hotel & Casino

The Arctic’s last album, released in 2018, takes the sound of AM and mellows it even more. It has elevator music vibes that a lot of people really disliked at the time, thinking it was too boring and too much of a departure from the Arctic’s alt-rock beginnings. However, I think the album is perfect for when you’re in a chill mood and just want to relax, and many artists since have replicated much of the sound from this album.

For similar vibey elevator music, check out Cannons 2019 album Shadows. If you like the groovier vibe of tracks like “Star Treatment” from the Arctic, listen to “Fire for You” or “Bright Lights.” Another great artist to check out is Two Feet, whose 2018 album A 20 Something F***, is a great album to put on for a chill night in. Tracks like “I Feel Like I’m Drowning” and “Hurt People” are undercut by great low-fi beats that are only enhanced by Two Feet’s brilliant voice. Finally, if you like the relaxed alt sound, listen to Palace, especially their 2016 album So Long Forever. While their general vibe is much lighter than the Arctic, they have the bluesy relaxed sound of the Arctic’s final album.

Time to Revel in the Addiction

One of the best parts of alternative music is that it is not static – in fact, it almost buck’s definition because it pulls influences from so many different genres of music. The Arctic Monkey’s shifting sound over the years allows listeners to get a sense of the range of alternative music that is out there, and that is why the band seems to have such a hold on so many listeners. It’s not hard to find something to like in the style of each Arctic Monkey album, but it can be difficult to know where to listen from there. I hope this article provides some direction for the range of alt music out there, so you can find the albums that will build your next alt-rock playlist.

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