PART FOUR: PERFECT SENSE

Over the past few weeks, I've analysed Swift and Turner's lyricism through the themes of characters, aging development of musical styles, and Swift's signature style of revenge songs.

To summarise:

Swift is an anecdotal writer, Turner is an analogical writer

Swift's niche is revenge songs, Turner is more of a fluid and experimental writer who is keen to showcase his musical maturity and progression

Both are not afraid to tell a story through the use of characters, and create encapsulating worlds - bubbles, if you will

But what about Turner's niche? Personally, I don't see Alex to have a specific way of writing, which is something I admire about him a lot. If I had to pick a signature element, it would be his use of analogies. Yet, the musical and lyrical progression from early Arctic Monkeys, through The Last Shadow Puppets and film soundtracks, leading up to 'The Car', shows his versatility as a writer, and how life experience and influences shapes the form of where we are now. It feels as though Turner's lyrics in the most recent album from Arctic Monkeys encodes a message.

To close this mini-series, I'm going to leave you with a thought. Arctic Monkey's have - in my eyes- created an arc, with their peak being at 'AM'. On first listen to 'The Car', it hit me: I didn't want to believe it, but on listening again it all makes 'Perfect Sense'.

Perfect sense that they have reached the end of the arc, that they have come to the end of their road, and this would be goodbye. Driving off into the sunset, after a good run. A controversial opinion, yes, and something I, myself, feel in denial about. Yet, I must admit, it feels as though this could be the end for one of my favourite bands. Only time will tell.

Perfect Sense

Richard of York: The Executive Branch

Having some fun with the warm-up act

If that's what it takes to say, "good night"

Then that's what it takes

A four-figure sum on a hotel notepad

A revelation or your money back

That's what it takes to say, "good night"

Sometimes, I wrap my head around it all

And it makes perfect sense

Keep reminding me that it ain't a race

When my invincible streak turns onto the final straight

If that's what it takes to say, "good night"

Then that's what it takes