Ultramagnetic MCs famously offered to “Give the Drummer Some” — and that’s exactly what Arctic Monkeys have done in their video for the title track off the British rockers’ fourth album, Suck It and See.
In the clip, drummer Matt Helders stars as a musclebound biker dude who has a tempestuous relationship with his scantily (and sometimes un-) clad girlfriend. They take to the open road, make out atop the Union Jack, wield guns, and more, while Alex Turner intones his finely wrought, quintessentially English lyrics on this jangling, patient tune. “That’s not a skirt, girl, that’s a sawn-off shotgun??/ And I can only hope you’ve got it aimed at me,” he sings.
The song that SPIN’s review said “may be the loveliest thing they’ve ever recorded,” doesn’t clear up much about the album’s title — supposedly British slang meaning you should try something to find out what happens.
There’s brief semi-nudity and a handcuff-wielding sex scene, so be warned if your workplace frowns on that sort of thing. The video was directed by Focus Creeps, whose previous work includes videos for Neon Indian, Morning Benders, and Girls.
The SPIN July cover subjects will release “Suck It and See” as a U.K. single on October 31, backed by new song “Evil Twin.” The band kicks off three U.S. co-headlining shows with TV on the Radio later this month, followed by their own North American headlining tour. Check out the tour dates here.
And to see this lovely tune in a completely different light, watch Alex Turner’s unplugged take on “Suck It and See,” filmed at SPIN’s cover shoot, here.
Watch: Arctic Monkeys, “Suck It and See”
