Science Fiction (song)

The song was written by frontman Alex Turner and produced by James Ford, who had worked with the band since their debut. It emerged from Turner's fascination with retro-futurism and the idea of a lunar hotel, a concept that underpins the entire album. Musically, “Science Fiction” blends a slow, hypnotic piano line with a driving bass and a subdued, almost spoken-word vocal delivery, reflecting the album's shift away from the guitar-driven rock of earlier records.

Lyrically, the song critiques the way people consume information and entertainment, with references to “the information action ratio” and “the rise of the machines.” Turner has described the track as a meditation on the blurring lines between reality and fiction in the digital age.

“Science Fiction” was released as a single on 6 August 2018, following the album's May release. It peaked at number 27 on the UK Singles Chart and received positive reviews from critics, who praised its atmospheric production and witty lyrics. NME called it “a brilliantly weird pop song,” while Pitchfork noted its “seductive, paranoid groove.”¹

The song also charted in several other countries, including Scotland and Belgium, and was included on year-end lists by publications such as Consequence of Sound and Uncut.

The accompanying music video, directed by Ben Chappell, features the band performing in a dimly lit, retro-futuristic set, intercut with abstract imagery of planets and vintage technology. The video was praised for its visual style, which complemented the song's themes.

Arctic Monkeys performed “Science Fiction” live during their 2018–2019 tour, often as part of a medley with other album tracks. The song was also included in the setlist for their 2023 tour, where it was reworked with a more guitar-heavy arrangement.²

One of the song's most distinctive features is its use of a vintage Mellotron, an instrument more commonly associated with 1960s psychedelic rock, which adds to the retro-futuristic atmosphere. The track also contains a hidden spoken-word sample from a 1960s educational film about space travel, which was discovered by fans and later confirmed by the band.

In an interview, Turner revealed that the song's title was originally “Science Fiction” but was almost changed to “The Information Action Ratio” after a line in the chorus. The band ultimately kept the simpler title, but the phrase remains a fan favorite. Additionally, the song's B-side, “The World’s First Ever Monster Truck Front Flip,” was recorded during the same sessions and features a spoken-word narrative by Turner.³

Mellotron

An early electronic keyboard instrument that uses tape loops to reproduce sounds, popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

B-side

The secondary track on a single record, often a non-album song or an alternative version.