Everything You've Come To Expect as a whole doesn't really sound like progress. Opener 'Aviation' sounds like it has been lifted straight from album number one, with the whole 60s spy/noir sound which made the duo keen to dabble with film soundtracks. The title track is a waltz-like reminder of AM (the fifth Arctic Monkeys album). It doesn't pack any punch but it flows really nicely with Turner's soft vocal delivery and minimal instrumentation.
'Bad Habits' follows 'Element Of Surprise' and the former is more of a surprise than the latter. It's aggressive and spiky. Kane's voice is very harsh and the guitars jab at you like a knife making the overall feel of this track uneasy. The strings in the background follow suit with the aggressive style which adds great texture to the song.
Stand-out track 'Used To Be My Girl' is where the duo really set the album alight. Turner croons over a driving beat whilst Kane weaves little guitar riffs in and amongst the strings and vocals. The song is a build up to a crescendo like ending where every element combines creating this huge sound. There certainly are some hidden surprises within this album, but it's very current-era Arctic Monkeys with the soft ballad like songs. The only sense of urgency is 'Bad Habits'. Sure, the way Turner effortlessly strings together lyrics is brilliant, like on the personal, album closer 'Bourne Identity' "Whenever I'm on to something good you see, he always waltzes in to spoil it for me."
It's an album of two halves. When the first album came out, it sounded fresh and original. Everything You've Come To Expect feels a bit lazy in its direction. It sounds like the mid-way point between AM and Turner's solo album Submarine.
Best songs - Used To Be My Girl and The Bourne Identity.
6.5/10
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