Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helders said Alex Turner “definitely has a Bond theme”.
The drummer was speaking NME The Sheffield band’s seventh studio record The Car has been named Album of the Year 2022, beating the likes of Wet Leg, Beyoncé and Fontaines DC to the top spot.
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At one point in the interview, Helders was asked if the Monkeys had considered trying their hand at a James Bond song, given the cinematic, orchestral sound of their latest LP.
“I’m sure it’s something we’re still interested in, but I don’t think it’s been officially suggested,” the musician replied.
“However, Alex seems to be writing Bond themes, with no film set and ready yet. [for his songs] yet! But I will say that it definitely has a Bond theme.
In 2011, Turner said: “I would love to sing for Bond. Of course.” The idea comes shortly after the frontman released a soundtrack EP for the 2010 film A submarineit’s directed by Richard Ayoade (who previously directed music videos for AM).
NME then hailed Arctic Monkeys as a “problem” to record a single for the upcoming 2018 Bond film.
As the band continues to evolve musically, many fans have suggested that the AM track fits the world of the long-running espionage franchise.
Actors who have recorded the Bond theme in recent years include Billie Eilish, Sam Smith, Adele, Alicia Keys and Jack White and Chris Cornell.
In another place NME‘s new interview with Helders, the drummer talks about the experience of bringing a full orchestra into the studio for “Car”.
“Everything that was a group responsibility, we always took care of in the traditional sense, but then the strings were added separately,” he said. “It was a different recording process, but I’ve always been interested in learning.
“We recently had the opportunity to do some radio sessions with a six-man orchestra to play these new songs live, and I think we’ve learned how to be disciplined and how much to use. [the orchestra] in music.”
Helders added: “According to the data, he comes in and out when he needs to – he has just just the right amount of lines there.”
Meanwhile, Arctic Monkeys singles “Body Paint” and “There’d Better Be A Mirrorball” appeared. NMEThe “Best Songs of 2022” list is at number 24 and number five, respectively, this week.
NME praised Turner’s “really earnest, open, romantic and human” lyrics on the latter track, calling it a “slow dance waltz beauty”.
In other news, Arctic Monkeys were recently announced as NOS Alive 2023 headliners.
The band will begin a UK and Irish stadium tour in May, followed by a North American tour in September. AM will be in Europe in late April and early May and will be back there in July for additional concerts.