The internet is a tool, and one that has been essential in the art of music discovery. If you steer clear of the dark online corners where no light dares to shine, the power of this pocket-sized access to the world can introduce us to new ideas and ways of life. The pinnacle of music sharing came in the heyday of the internet, when MySpace was a social hub for digital connections and music sharing. We’ve seen legendary acts like Wilco and Radiohead release albums via domain names, and mixtape sites like Datpiff.com have given innovators like Kendrick Lamar a platform to release their earliest ideas. The internet is a beautiful tool when used properly and can be the starting point for timeless bands that have made it an unstoppable force, not only adapting to the landscape but shaping it.
Arctic Monkeys are one of the most enduring and beloved bands in contemporary music, and they have the internet to thank for it. The band formed in 2002 and built a name for themselves by handing out free demo CDs to live-show attendees. By 2004, most of these songs had been uploaded and shared across social media, building an organic buzz around vocalist Alex Turner and his band so undeniable that the Arctic Monkeys’ name was already associated with hits before an official release. Like a lit fuse, it was only a matter of time before Arctic Monkeys were unleashed on the hungry youth of the early aughts. That day arrived on January 23, 2006, with the release of Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, a debut album for a generation.
The 13-song LP gave birth to a legacy that continues to grow 20 years after Arctic Monkeys achieved instant mainstream success. On paper, the idea that this album could be anything but a hit out of the gate seems preposterous. The album was preceded by two number-one records, the infectious garage rock anthem “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” and the punchy punk ballad “When the Sun Goes Down,” cementing what the internet had already been talking about for years: Arctic Monkeys are one of the next great British rock acts. Several other songs, including the two hit singles, were released via those free demos the band was handing out at live gigs, but that didn’t stop Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not from becoming one of the fastest-selling debut albums in music history.
Arctic Monkeys’ debut album became the fastest-selling debut album in British music history, selling over 350,000 copies in its first week. Upon its release in the States a few weeks later, it became the second-fastest debut album released on an independent label in the country. The album has gone on to achieve platinum status in the States, and is now eight-times platinum in the U.K. Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not also brought in a plethora of media praise and awards, from scoring a perfect 10/10 score from NME, to being nominated for Best Alternative Album at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Twenty years later, outlets like Rolling Stone are still singing its praises, as they placed it at 97 on their 100 Best Debut Albums of All Time list in 2022.
While all these sterling reviews and accomplishments are fantastic, and even more so considering they’re for a debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not lives up to every last positive word thrown in its direction. Explosive, danceable B-sides like “Dancing Shoes” and “Red Light Indicates Doors are Secured” showcase tight, disco-like riffs that illuminate under the nightlife-filled imagery delivered over these unforgettable arrangements. A song like “Mardy Bum,” with its indie-rock grooves, is another example of Arctic Monkeys’ radio-ready tendencies. At the same time, an underappreciated highlight, like the lo-fi warmth of “Riot Van,” shows a sentimental side of the band’s singular approach to rock.
Arctic Monkeys have achieved a lot since the release of Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not twenty years ago, but every story of longevity must start somewhere. It is hard to believe this band has only risen in popularity since they were shot out of the internet’s cannon and into the mainstream, but looking back at the foundation they laid, their rise to the top only becomes clearer.
