"I've Played To Quiet Rooms Like This Before": Analysing Science Fiction Elements on the Ambience of Arctic Monkeys’ Tranquility Base Hotel+Casino

Abstract

This paper takes the album Tranquility Base Hotel+Casino (2018), the sixth studio album released by the English band Arctic Monkeys, as the object of study for the application of theoretical concepts about science fiction, in its manifestation that starts in the literary studies and ends with musical analysis. The argument of this article is supported by theoretical concepts about science fiction developed by scholars of the genre such as Delany (2014), Freedman (2000), and Suvin (1979), which provide support for the analysis of the characteristic elements of science fiction present in the album as markers of style, sound, or text. In terms of methodology, the work adopts a stylistic approach by using the notion of ambience developed by Stockwell (2014) in order to allow for a better understanding of each of the science fictional elements that make up the work in terms of the production of poetic sense. In the lyrical dimension, the musical analysis also takes into account performative elements, as suggested by Bowden (1982). Motivated by questions about the theoretical, creative and thematic construction of science fiction works beyond the traditional forms of literature, this research aims to elucidate the stylistic resources used by the band when creating within the boundaries of the genre or drawing inspiration from it. Finally, it is also intended to foster space for dialogue in Portuguese-speaking academia to discuss more in-depth topics on speculative fiction criticism in general.