The debut from the Last Shadow Puppets (Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner and best mate Miles Kane), 2008’s The Age Of The Understatement was an endearing slice of symphonic, baroque ’60s–style pop, hugely indebted to the likes of John Barry, Scott Walker and Jimmy Webb. Now, they’re back, and it’s pretty much business as usual. Which is no bad thing; Everything You’ve Come To Expect takes Understatement’s template and builds upon it to beguiling effect. If anything, it’s bigger, more muscular, swaggering and self-assured than its predecessor. Turner has perfected his late-night croon, and there’s an element of arch loucheness throughout that borders on camp.
Kudos goes to Owen Pallet, whose sweeping, cinematic string scores conjure memories of grandiose late-’60s/early-’70s R&B, as perfected by Hot Buttered Soul-era Isaac Hayes. Ultimately, it’s a delightful indulgence—you’re never quite convinced that Turner’s about to quit his day job—but a hugely enjoyable one, and Arctic Monkeys fans, in particular, will devour this.
—Neil Ferguson
