How Arctic Monkeys went from their lowest point to their best-selling album in the space of two years

Arctic Monkeys released their lowest-selling album, *Suck It and See*, in 2011, then followed it with their best-selling record, *AM*, in 2013. The article argues that the contrast reflects the band’s willingness to change direction and that *AM*’s broader appeal, especially in the United States, helped expand their audience.

*Suck It and See* took a more stripped-back, poetic approach that did not attract as many buyers as earlier work. The 2013 album gained momentum with the single ‘R U Mine?’ and paired accessible lyrics with a distinctive guitar sound; it also reached American listeners, while ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ became the band’s most-streamed track.