Releasing their fifth album "AM" last week, British phenomenon Arctic Monkeys are nothing new to the music scene. But in "AM," lead singer Alex Turner once again not only pushes the bounds of contemporary music with impressive lyrics and melodies, but returns with a comfortable familiarity that comes only with the maturity of a band like Arctic Monkeys.

The Sheffield crew have come a long way since their first album in 2006, "Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not." First heralded for their catchy sing-a-longs and sharp, witty lyrics, "AM" is evidence of the progression and refinement of a talented group of teenagers to full-fledged artists.

Although Queen of the Stone Age's Josh Homme's production on Arctic Monkey's third album, "Humbug," divided fans and critics alike, it is unquestionable that Homme has played a huge part in the band's growth into a proper rock band.

"AM" begins with two of their upbeat singles, "Do I Wanna Know?" and "R U Mine?" Both songs have a Queens of the Stone Age vibe, showcasing the Joshua Tree desert influence on the band.

"Why'd You Only Call me When You're High" and "Snap Out of It" are prime examples of why we love Arctic Monkeys: Their sarcastic, almost sassy lyrics and approach remind us that they don't take themselves, or the corporatized music industry, seriously.

Alex Turner put it best when he explained that the new album gives him the liberty to be a "smart arse."

The true stand-outs of the album, however, aren't the guitar, machismo heavy tunes that make for good music videos and singles, but Alex Turner's slow moving ballads. "Mad Sounds," which was inspired by The Velvet Underground, takes us back to another generation, with the atmospheric vibe of a misty 1970s high school prom dance floor.

The last track on the album, "I Wanna Be Yours," is arguably Alex Turner's most personal piece. In the song, Turner uses legendary writer John Cooper Clarke's poem and transforms it into an emotive melody. The track ends up highlighting both Clarke's beautiful writing as well as Turner's masterful control of language, with his memorable lyrical addition: "Secrets I have held in my heart / Are harder to hide than I thought."

With Arctic Monkey's making history as the first independent band with five studio albums debuting at #1 in the UK, it's clear that the band is unstoppable. But "AM" is by no means their strongest album. The progression of this band -- emotionally, musically -- reveals that they're nowhere near their peak: The best has yet to come.

Arctic Monkeys are playing at the Wiltern for three nights, starting on September 29.

Read more of NT's album reviews here.

Reach Staff Reporter Daffany Chan here.