Humbug

Production notes

Humbug was recorded in 2009 primarily at Rancho De La Luna studio in Joshua Tree, California, with additional sessions at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles. The album was produced by Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, alongside James Ford, who had worked with the band on their previous album Favourite Worst Nightmare. Homme's influence steered the band toward a heavier, darker, and more psychedelic desert rock sound, marking a significant departure from the group's earlier post-punk revival style. The remote desert setting of Rancho De La Luna, a studio known for its association with the desert rock scene and albums by bands like Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal, contributed to the album's atmospheric and brooding tone. The production featured heavier use of reverb, downtuned guitars, and more layered arrangements than the band's previous work, reflecting a deliberate effort by frontman Alex Turner and the group to evolve their sound and challenge listener expectations.