“Cornerstone” is the second single from the solid Humbug. When we think of Arctic Monkeys singles, we usually think of something like a derailed express train, steaming through stops with new basslines coming from all directions that accelerate a track to it’s absolute peak within a three minute time constraint. This one, however, is definitely the boys coasting on the local track, with Turner himself even stressing “elongating my lift home” while pining for a girl that might or might not exist. In a way, it’s Arctic Monkeys doing Spoon doing the Arctic Monkeys. This is a good look for them. Unsurprisingly, “Cornerstone” is one of the only three tracks on Humbug not produced by Josh Homme, and this softer side really lets Turner’s smooth, seductive croon seep through. And, you know, it’s pretty hard to sound seductive over all the guitar layers and flam taps Homme probably would have insisted on. Check it out below.

Arctic Monkeys’ monster of a third full-length, Humbug, hit shelves this week and we’ve put together something special for y’all. If you live in these United States, simply send us your own haiku review (contests@thetripwire.com) of Humbug, which according to our highly sophisticated mind stretching, should be streaming on the majestic Lala player available below. Your prize will include the following:

- Humbug LP
- “Crying Lightning” 7″ (”Red Right Hand” b-side)
- “Crying Lightning” 10″ (”Red Right Hand” and “You Haven’t Got My Strange” b-sides)
- 4 button badge pack
- 18 x 18 double sided poster

With their new album Humbug out soon, Arctic Monkeys kicked off what is sure to be deluge of promo recently with a web-only live session baked in a similar red light that lit the gross basement of the sex club in the movie Seven. We watched it over our coworker’s shoulder while he was eating lunch, it looked cool. But forced into the harsh studio lighting of NBC, with nowhere to hide, the true nature of their clearly weed-mongering little British hearts was plainly exposed—”Crying Lightning” (their new single) is street slang for firing up the water bong. But if there is someone you want to crush riffs with Channing Tatum watching, it’s undoubtedly Alex Turner, who looked surprisingly dapper in a leather jacket and mini Cousin It hair. Really, though, there’s probably no danger of them dropping out of life and writing hour long kush tributes. Check the drummer’s sunglasses inside—he finishes the song up with a military drum roll. Dude must be straight edge. Someone’s gotta be big brother. Boys, welcome to America.

In the run-up to the release of their forthcoming full-length opus Humbug, Arctic Monkeys have announced they’ll be kicking out new jams early in a strictly online performance at their online home this Thursday, June 30th. The cybergig starts at 4 pm EST, Humbug will be out August 25, and real, face-to-face touring gets going this weekend at All Points West.

Tour dates are as follows:

08.01.09 Liberty State Park, NJ @ All Points West
08.02.09 Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
08.03.09 New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
08.04.09 New York, NY @ Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
08.05.09 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
08.07.09 Chicago, IL @ Metro
08.09.09 Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
09.14.09 San Diego, CA @ Soma
09.15.09 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
09.16.09 Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
09.18.09 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom (*FREE Show*)
09.19.09 Seattle, WA @ The Showbox @ Market
09.20.09 Vancouver, BC @ Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park
09.22.09 Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
09.23.09 Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
09.25.09 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
09.26.09 Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom (*On sale Now*)
09.28.09 Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
09.29.09 Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus
09.30.09 Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
10.02.09 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
10.03.09 Houston, TX @ House of Blues
10.04.09 Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Festival
10.05.09 Dallas, TX @ The Palladium Ballroom

While everyone continues to sling message board mud at Wavves, OG buzz-masters Arctic Monkeys, aka the “Best Band Since The Beatles,” announced the forthcoming release of their third LP. The album, which is title-less as of right now, enjoyed more production strokes from Simian Mobile Disco’s James Ford, the guy at the helm of their sophomore effort Favourite Worst Nightmare. But as far as twists worth salivating over go, here comes a doozy: Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme also banged away with the band in his Mojave Desert studio. Get excited.