Sculptures of Anything Goes

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"Sculptures of Anything Goes"
Song by Arctic Monkeys
from the album The Car
PublishedDomino
Released
  • 21 October 2022 (2022-10-21) (album)
  • 6 March 2023 (video)
Recorded2021
Genre
Length3:59
LabelDomino
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)James Ford
Music video
"Sculptures of Anything Goes" on YouTube

"Sculptures of Anything Goes" is a song by English rock band Arctic Monkeys released on 21 October 2022 by the Domino Recording Company. The song is the third track on their seventh studio album The Car (2022). It was produced by James Ford and written by lead singer Alex Turner and guitarist Jamie Cook.

Music critics noted the stylistical departure taken with "Sculptures of Anything Goes" towards a darker, and more electronic sound, in contrast to the more classical sounds found on the album. The song was compared to the late works of Portishead. The track has been nominated for Best Rock Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. It debuted at number 5 on the UK Indie Chart.

The accompanying music video was directed by Ben Chappell. The video features live recordings of the band's South American tour, interspersed with footage of Turner in different places. It was released on their YouTube channel on March 6, 2023.[1]

Background[edit]

Prior to the release of The Car, in a NPO 3FM interview Alex Turner described the track as being reminiscent of their fifth studio album AM (2013). He explained how the track reminded him of the desert-ier songs off of AM, and how it feels like there is a "bit of that dust in there."[2] According to Turner, the song came about after Jamie Cook got a Moog synthesiser and put a Drum machine through it. Following that, they wrote a song based on the sound it made. Following that Turner exclaimed:

“We wrote a song based off that, really… is the succinct answer. It started there [and then] it became a million other things. There were multiple different versions, and it ended up kind of back where it started… having had a haircut"[3]

In that same interview, drummer Matt Helders said that they were rehearsing a live version of that track, stating that it was a very fun song to play live.[3]

Composition[edit]

Musically the song has been described as having "gothic synths"[4] and "a brooding electronic beat and breathy, high vocals."[5][6] as well as "drifting in a retro-futuristic vibe."[7] The beat was also noted as "industrial," and "dystopia-esque," being compared to Portishead's "Machine Gun" (2008).[8] The track is ominous,[2] darker,[2] and more brooding compared to the rest of the album, being the only song that, "ventures far from the Vegas strip."[4]

Lyrically, it features "cryptic verses about fakeness and truth," which have been said to be, "a regular theme in Turner’s writing,"[5] combined with "a return to self-reflection."[7] Other critics found references to the public's mixed response towards the band's previous album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018).[9]

Music video[edit]

On March 6, 2023, a music video was released for the track despite having never been released as a single.[1] It was directed by Ben Chappel & edited by Matt Cronin.[10] The music video was filmed during the Australia & South American tour in promotion of The Car.[11][12] The video has been described as having a Psych rock retro-aesthetic with grainy film footage.[13] The track also features visuals & footage of the band during live shows.[14][15]

Accolades[edit]

The song has been nominated for Best Rock Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.[16]

Charts[edit]

Chart Performance for "Sculptures of Anything Goes"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
UK Indie (OCC)[17] 5
UK Streaming (OCC)[18] 56
IFPI Digital Singles Chart[19] 75
Ireland (IRMA)[20] 32

Personnel[edit]

Arctic Monkeys[21]

  • Alex Turner – vocals, guitars, keyboards, piano, synthesizers, string arrangements
  • Jamie Cook – guitar, synthesizer, organ, slide guitar
  • Nick O'Malley – bass
  • Matt Helders – drums

Additional personnel

  • Tom Rowley – guitars
  • Tyler Parkford – backing vocals
  • Loren Humphrey – engineering
  • James Ford – production, string arrangements
  • Bridget Samuels – string arrangement

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Singh, Surej (6 March 2023). "Arctic Monkeys share captivating music video for 'Sculptures Of Anything Goes'". NME. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Skinner, Tom (13 October 2022). "Arctic Monkeys say new song 'Sculptures Of Anything Goes' is reminiscent of 'AM' sound". NME. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b Arctic Monkeys over The Car en hun geheime Spotify-playlist | 3FM Exclusive | NPO 3FM, retrieved 2023-04-01
  4. ^ a b "Alex Turner's persona gives Arctic Monkeys' The Car its charm - review". The Independent. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (18 October 2022). "'Arctic Monkeys' The Car album review — a stylish, plush affair". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022.
  6. ^ Barton, Laura (18 October 2022). "Arctic Monkeys: The Car review – aching songs of soured dreams". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  7. ^ a b Whittle, Nathan (19 October 2022). "Arctic Monkeys - The Car". Louder Than War.
  8. ^ Richards, Sam (December 2022). "Arctic Monkeys - The Car". Uncut. No. 307. p. 24.
  9. ^ Smith, Thomas (18 October 2022). "Arctic Monkeys – 'The Car' review: a swashbuckling, strings-fuelled epic". NME.
  10. ^ "Arctic Monkeys Shares Captivating Video for Song "Sculptures Of Anything Goes" -". mxdwn Music. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  11. ^ Rockpit, The (13 March 2023). "ARCTIC MONKEYS Release "Sculptures Of Anything Goes" Video". The Rockpit. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Watch Arctic Monkeys' New Video for "Sculpture of Anything Goes"". Pitchfork. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  13. ^ Jones, Abby (6 March 2023). "Arctic Monkeys share retro "Sculptures of Anything Goes" video: Watch". Consequence. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Arctic Monkeys Share The 'Sculptures Of Anything Goes' Music Video". UPROXX. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  15. ^ "Arctic Monkeys - Sculptures Of Anything Goes (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  16. ^ "2024 Grammy Nominations: See The Full Nominees List". The Recording Academy. 10 November 2023. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  18. ^ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  19. ^ "Charts". 2022-11-02. Archived from the original on 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  20. ^ "irishcharts.com - Arctic Monkeys - Sculptures Of Anything Goes". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  21. ^ "Uncut December 2022 Music Review". October 2022.
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