Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino guitar ideas to complement the demos, with bassist Nick O'Malley approving of the demo for "Star Treatment". In September 2017, the Arctic Monkeys began recording material at Vox Studios in Hollywood and La Frette in Paris. Frequent collaborator James Ford co-produced the album with Turner. During these sessions the piano and guitar parts began to mesh, with O'Malley and drummer Matt Helders joining. Helders commented that during recording he played with more restraint than on previous records, noting that "it's about playing for the songs". Further recording sessions took place with Ford in London. The group employed a wide array
What One Becomes 74/100, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". The A.V. Club wrote that "It’s hard to imagine a better metal record coming out this year", praising the performances of Turner, Yacyshyn, and Cook. "What One Becomes shows Cook and Turner again occupying highly coveted space on the zenith of aggressive music—this time alongside Yacyshyn, the percussive mastermind. It’s hard to imagine a better metal record coming out this year." Pitchfork praised the album for breaking new ground, writing that the album "feels more improvisatory than most of any of the members’ prior works (especially bassist Brian Cook, better known for his work