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
Alex Turner did not read regularly and was too self-conscious to share his writing with others. Nonetheless, he enjoyed English lessons. His teacher, Simon Baker, later remembered him as a clever pupil who was "quite reserved ... a little bit different." He noted that Turner had an "incredibly laid-back" approach to school work, which worried his mother. Turner then spent two years at Barnsley College (2002–2004), where he studied for A-levels in music technology and media studies, and AS-levels in English, photography and psychology. After watching friends perform in local bands, Turner, Helders, Nicholson and another friend, Jamie Cook, decided to form