Arctic Monkeys "Opening Night" Single Review

"HELP(2)" by War Child Records Album Art

Lilly Palmer & Diya Mehta | January 2025

Lilly Palmer:

War Child Records was initially established in 1993 as an extension of War Child Charity, founded by British filmmakers David Wilson and Bill Leeson, alongside Dutch social entrepreneur Willemijn Verloop. However, this project wasn’t fully set until 1995, when they single-handedly produced the album "HELP" with influential artists like Oasis, Blur, Paul McCartney and an array of many other big names in the mid-'90s music industry.

Their primary initiative is to raise awareness and, through harnessing the power of music in which the artists have complete creative freedom, to change the lives of thousands of children globally who have been impacted by world conflicts. As all profits from this project go directly towards the charity, the money raised is going towards helping children across the globe who have been affected by ongoing wars, simply by supporting this project and purchasing the record.

Following this album’s massive success in favour of the charity, an additional four albums have been produced under the independent label. But 2026 has caused more noise to be centralised around the War Child record label. Even bigger names, such as Fontaines D.C., The Last Dinner Party and Wet Leg, have come together to aid this cause, collating something that will be nothing short of perfection. However, the main highlight of this 23-track album titled "HELP(2)," releasing on 6 March 2026, which is causing so much media attention, is none other than Arctic Monkeys themselves, seeing as this would be their first single since 2022.

Diya Mehta:

A record-breaking album becoming the fastest-selling debut in UK history, numerous Brit Awards winners, breaking into US charts with the iconic album "AM" setting milestones and rapidly becoming a cultural staple, we have one of Britain’s most successful rock bands. Arctic Monkeys need no introduction, with thousands growing up to the sound of their tunes, and each of their 7 albums owning a unique sound supplied by the poetic nature of lead singer, Alex Turner.

An English rock band formed in Sheffield in 2002, Arctic Monkeys became one of the most influential bands of the 21st century. The group consists of lead singer and guitarist Alex Turner, guitarist Jamie Cook, bassist Nick O’Malley, and drummer Matt Helders. They earned their spot as a defining voice of the indie rock genre in the mid-2000s with their debut album, "Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not" (2006), known for its rapid guitar riffs and clever lyrics. With records like "Humbug" (2009), "AM" (2013), and "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" (2018), the band was unafraid to change, experimenting with desert rock, psychedelic, and lounge-inspired influences as they continued to grow with their style.

It is almost impossible to match the communal atmosphere that the wild crowds create at Arctic Monkeys’ shows, where fans sing along to every word. Whether performing fast-paced tracks from "Favourite Worst Nightmare" (2007) or the grooves from "The Car" (2022), the band has mastered making fans feel every bit of the experience. The combination of sharp songwriting, evolving sound and unforgettable performances has made Arctic Monkeys an everlasting force in modern rock music.

Diya Mehta:

Four years later, the Monkeys have returned with their cinematic track "Opening Night," and it has been on repeat ever since. Rather than an explosion of energy, this track leads with a pulsing rhythm, continuing on with an orientation of grooves. Sounding like an extension to the Monkeys’ last release, "The Car," the band continues to possess the ability to create feeling accompanied by clever production. As a huge appreciator of the absolute poetry from that album, this tune feels like a natural evolution, carrying forward the elegance that made it so compelling.

A contemplative, almost noir-like atmosphere is quickly created by the subtle instrumentation, which includes intricate guitar lines and precise percussion. "Opening Night" doesn’t just echo "The Car;" it expands on its ideas, showing that the band can still surprise while staying true to the identity they have cultivated over the past decade. 

Turner’s vocals, paired with his reflectively mysterious lyrics, are controlled and give off a type of silent confidence. Subtle elements reminiscent of their 2013 release "You’re So Dark," as well as influences from The Last Shadow Puppets, the supergroup featuring Turner and Miles Kane, can be heard throughout. Fans have also noted echoes of the "Humbug" era, drawing parallels to the band’s darker, more enigmatic sound. 

Ultimately, "Opening Night" reads as a quiet statement. In keeping with its title, the song alludes to deeper themes of introspection, reinvention, and creative control, suggesting a beginning rather than a conclusion. If this track is any indication, Arctic Monkeys are once again inviting listeners to lean in, listen closely, and trust the direction they are heading in.

Lilly Palmer:

"Opening Night" is nothing short of captivating, innovative and mesmerising. Although it has a slow opening that leaves you anticipating Turner’s next unpredictable move, when that almost cinematic beat drops, moody and wistful, it beats nothing but perfection.

Arguably, this track could be seen as the bridge between the previous two Monkeys albums, as it encapsulates the doleful, dark atmosphere of "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" while also channelling the lounge-tempo sound of "The Car" with Turner’s honeyed voice and genius lyricism. This entirely changes things, as it shows no direction for sound progression in any future music featuring this iconic band, which, in itself, is so mysterious yet enticing for many fans.

The vibe of this release is so incredibly diverse in comparison to what we regularly see coming out of big bands on the scene, like Arctic Monkeys. It emphasises the entire purpose of this project to highlight how moving and powerful music can be, as this single beautifully dances through a myriad of doleful moods, which potentially seems temperamental, as you are immediately hit with that classic tempo change that allows you to lose yourself within the music entirely.

Yet, with Turner’s trademark commonly being so subjectable and metrical, it can interchangeably be interpreted as something of a mourning tone, just like the track title says. "Opening Night" could unfortunately be an ironic word play, as this could conceivably be the end of the road for the band, as rumoured previously before the release. This leads us to question: what is the next move for Arctic Monkeys?

Listen to "Opening Night" here!