Song Stories: Arctic Monkeys: Four Out of Five
Released as part of their polarising 2018 album 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino', "Four Out of Five" marked a bold departure for the Arctic Monkeys, signaling a shift from the gritty, guitar-driven sound of their previous album, 'AM', to a more experimental, synth-driven approach. The song’s unusual combination of electronic beats, futuristic melodies, and space-age themes introduced a new era for the band, showcasing their willingness to reinvent themselves.
The Arctic Monkeys’ 2013 album 'AM' was a massive commercial and critical success, largely due to its smooth blend of hip-hop grooves, rock ‘n’ roll, and the band’s signature clever wordplay. Tracks like "Do I Wanna Know?" and "R U Mine?" became instant classics, cementing the band as one of the leading acts of their generation. It was an album that kept a strong connection to their roots, particularly with the iconic bass lines and swaggering guitar riffs.
However, when 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' was released five years later, it threw fans and critics for a loop. The album’s surreal, space-inspired concept and its heavy reliance on vintage keyboards and synths felt like a sharp pivot away from 'AM'’s polished rock sound. "Four Out of Five" epitomized this new direction, with its catchy, robotic chorus, a cryptic commentary on media consumption, and a smooth yet detached feel that was far removed from the rawness of the band’s earlier work.
The album’s central theme explored isolation and the digital age, offering a satirical take on the commercialization of space travel and humanity’s obsession with technology and media. The futuristic vibe of 'Tranquility Base' was far more introspective and art-rock compared to the late-night, seductive atmosphere of 'AM'. The shift reflected a more matured band unafraid to take creative risks and explore uncharted sonic territory.
'Four Out of Five' has a a slightly more familiar feeling than the rest of the album existing as a compromise between some of ‘Suck It And See’’s poppiest arrangements and the ‘70s West Coast vibe that dominated The Last Shadow Puppets’ last record ‘Everything You’ve Come To Expect’.
With elements of Glam and compared to the works of David Bowie. It is one of the only songs on the album to contain a traditional chorus.
Within the lyrics Alex Turner invites the listener to a taqueria on the moon. The said taquiera is found on the roof of the Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, and is receiving rave reviews. Turner doesn't just describe the taqueira, it is used as a metaphor for discussions on war, natural disaster, space colonization, and gentrification (“Cute new places keep on popping up,” he observes).
It's a song that works in isolation as well as in tandem with the rest of the album. 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' is a concept album, about the lunar hotel and 'Four Out of Five' allows fans to peer behind the curtain at Turner's idea of a rockstar's retreat on the moon
The songs video is an iconic affair, which features Alex Turner taking up the directorial chair and channeling several film influences, producing "video lifestyle packages" seemingly for the Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. Among the packages being filmed, an alternative version of Turner without a beard is seen traversing tunnels, as well as the band playing at a country estate and assistants dressed in red overalls dressing the sets and taming a horse. Many of the scenes and shots were highly inspired by Stanley Kubrick movies. The video was filmed at Castle Howard in the band's native county of Yorkshire with the underground scenes being filmed at Munich Marienplatz station in Munich, Germany.
This video also contains numerous easter eggs from old Arctic Monkeys songs and the past. Two versions of Turner are present. One being clean shaved, reminiscent of the ‘AM era’ Turner, with gelled back hair and a sharp suit and one with a beard looking more rugged and less polished than his ‘opposing’ persona.
Within the manor house scenes, staff can be seen wearing red jumpsuits, similar to the one Matt Helders wore in the 'Black Treacle' video. Red lights are also used, which is a subtle nod the bands song ‘Red Light Indicate Doors Are Secure’.
The number ‘521’ is seen within the video on the keyring of one of the hotel door keys. Many have speculated that this is in relation to two key factors, firstly the bands single '505' and at the time of filming the band had been together for 16 years. 505 + 16 = 521.
Many felt as if 'Four Out of Five' was the strongest track on the album and it was eventually given a release as a single.
When the band headed out on the road in 2023, in stadiums across the UK and Ireland, 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' did not get much of a look in within the setlist, however, 'Four Out of Five' became a main stay and was played almost every night.
During their shows, "Four Out of Five" would frequently serve as a mid-set highlight, a moment where the crowd could revel in the song’s infectious groove, all while soaking in the artistic atmosphere that the band has cultivated in recent years.
For many fans, hearing "Four Out of Five" live is an experience of its own. The track, with its rhythmic pulse and layered soundscapes, fills the arena with an almost cinematic quality. Alex Turner’s performance of the song has evolved; his once-cool, almost aloof delivery now feels more immersed in the song’s narrative, as he embraces the character of the song’s robotic protagonist. The juxtaposition of the modern, sleek vibe of the track and the raw energy of a live show creates an intriguing tension that elevates the song to new heights.
'Four Out of Five' is a pivotal song in the Arctic Monkeys' discography, marking the point where they boldly broke away from their previous sound and embraced a new artistic vision. With its space-age themes, catchy electronic hooks, and critique of contemporary culture, the song encapsulates the spirit of 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' an album that, while a departure from 'AM', cemented the Arctic Monkeys as one of the most innovative bands of the 21st century.
Thank you for reading
Jack