Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helders reflects on ‘AM’ album: “It was the album of the decade”

As one of their best-selling records, AM marked the band's biggest breakthrough on the US charts.

In an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, drummer Matt Helders discussed Arctic Monkeys' 2013 album AM as part of the channel’s "100 Best Albums" series.

“There is a weird version that I’ve got somewhere of ‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?’ that sounds a bit like ‘R U Mine’,” Helders said. “It is really fun to listen to but it just wouldn’t have worked.”

“I think once [frontman Alex Turner] is done with something, he really has to feel like he can move on to the next thing, because he has given everything to that moment and there’s nothing left after that, I don’t think.”

Released in early 2012, "R U Mine" marked the band's shift towards a more raucous, rock-driven sound.

Released as the album's third single in August 2013, "Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High" showcased a looser, funkier style, with Helders' drums delivering a '90s boom bap deep-groove beat.

AM, the band's fifth album, was partially recorded at Rancho De La Luna studio in Joshua Tree, California. It incorporated influences from hip-hop, R&B, glam rock, and blues.

As one of their best-selling records, it marked their biggest breakthrough on the US charts.

“It became the soundtrack for countless nights out, hook-ups and comedowns in every town and city of this country. It was the album of the decade.”

Helders also mentioned encountering Mel C at the Grammys this year, jokingly expressing that meeting the former Spice Girl somewhat compensated for the band's perceived absence of a Grammy.

They left the event without any awards despite nominations in categories such as Best Alternative Music Album for ‘The Car’, as well as Best Alternative Music Performance and Best Rock Performance.