Weeks before Arctic Monkey’s new record, Humbug (Domino/Outside Music), dropped, press shots of the band surfaced on the Web suggesting in no uncertain terms that the four lads from Sheffield had undergone some kind of California transformation.

Singer Alex Turner, who in his zipped windbreakers, scarves and Beatlesque mop often looked like the youngest Gallagher, now has hair to his shoulders, while formerly clean-cut guitarist Jamie Cook sports a beard and Sabbath T-shirt as the sun glistens against his back.

Furthermore, Humbug, the band’s third and most adventurous studio record, was mostly helmed by Queens of the Stone Age frontman and noted desert dweller Josh Homme at Rancho de la Luna studio in El Cajon, California. (James Ford also produced several tracks in Brooklyn.)

Drummer Matt Helders says his band’s new look wasn’t the result of a Homme-enforced peyote trip through the Mojave.

“That place is crazy enough, never mind getting involved in all that,” he says. “It’s such a different environment than anywhere we’ve been before. It definitely impacted the whole record, that first trip to the desert.”

It’s not just the Monkeys’ new look that’s caught fans and critics off guard. The album is also less straightforward in the Brit indie sense; there are more guitar effects and moody atmospherics, and Turner’s toned down his snarky vocals, though his lyrics have remained observationally sharp.

“I reckon it will sort the men from the boys in a way,” laughs Helders. “It will probably gain people and get rid of people. But true, big fans will understand what we’ve done. Besides, the first two albums aren’t going anywhere.”

Even if the sound experimentation culls a few sheep from their substantial herd, the four-piece can take pride in the fact that they’ve taken chances and challenged their base, something many bands avoid for fear of losing stature.

“If we’re happy with it, a lot of fans will be, too, because they’ve grown up with our music as much as we have,” he says. “And it’s an opportunity to turn existing fans on to something new. Hopefully, it’ll change what they’re into and we’ll grow together so to speak.”

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