Arctic Monkeys’ new groove – The band’s drummer, Matt Helders, talks AM and hip-hop influence

After four albums, the British rock band Arctic Monkeys have finally found that sweet spot, mixing R&B-indebted guitar riffs with lead singer Alex Turner’s knack of wordplay.

The band’s fifth album, AM, has received typical acclaim. However, the record’s biggest hit, “R U Mine?”, was a surprise for the band, drummer Matt Helders says.

“We didn’t expect the response it’s gotten,” Helders says. “We basically recorded it to have something new to play on tour.”

Helders and the band will perform Saturday at The Varsity. The show is sold out. Doors open at 8 p.m. Show starts at 9 p.m. For more information, call 383-7018 or click here.

AM shows off more of the band’s love of R&B and hip-hop, “the stuff we listened to while at school,” Helders says. “We didn’t get into guitar music until we started the band.”

As far as what sounds the band likes, Arctic Monkeys have always been fans of Dr. Dre, Ashanti and Aaliyah, and that taste is more prominent on AM.

“The rhythm section and production of all those influences is what we liked,” he says. “We definitely borrowed some of those backing vocals and melodic ideas. It’s just always these. It’s always been what we’ve listened to in the car. Before, our first and second records were a bit more straightforward rock music. This time, we just embraced what we like a bit more.”

Fans of the band shouldn’t be scared, though. The transformation from hip young garage rock band to Black Keys’ touring mates has been natural, he says.

“We’ve obviously been conscious to move on every time and do something different with every record,” he says. “It still makes sense, though, the journey from the first record to this record.”

Check out AM below.