"Humbug" is the third studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on August 19, 2009, through Domino Recording Company. The band began writing material for the album in late summer 2008 and completed it in spring 2009. The album was first released in Japan, followed by Australia, Brazil, Ireland, and Germany on August 21, 2009. It was then released in the UK on August 24, 2009, in the US on August 25, and in Greece on August 31.
Recorded primarily in the United States, Humbug features production work by Josh Homme, known for his stoner rock and desert rock influences, and James Ford. The album was recorded in Los Angeles, the Mojave Desert, and New York City. Musically, Humbug marks a departure from the Arctic Monkeys' earlier garage rock and punk-influenced sound, incorporating elements of stoner rock, desert rock, surf rock, and ambient tones. The album's darker sound is attributed to Homme's influence, and it features a range of percussion instruments, including xylophones, glockenspiels, and shakers.
Frontman Alex Turner's vocal style on Humbug shifts from the frenetic and upbeat delivery of earlier albums to a slower, more subdued approach. His songwriting also evolves, moving away from the kitchen-sink realism of previous works to more abstract and analogical themes.
The album debuted at the top of the UK Albums Chart and was certified platinum in the UK. While Humbug did not receive the same level of acclaim as its predecessors, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006) and Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007), it was generally well-received. Critics noted the band's expanded sound and darker tone, and retrospectively, the album is recognized as a significant release that paved the way for the band's future explorations in musical style and lyrical content.
