A Scott Walker- and David Bowie-inspired collaboration between the Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner and the Rascals' Miles Kane, the Last Shadow Puppets began when Kane's previous band, the Little Flames, toured with the Arctic Monkeys in 2007. Already friends from prior gigs together, the pair started writing songs that spring, and headed into a French studio late that summer with producer/drummer James Ford. Additional recording, including strings courtesy of the London Metropolitan Orchestra and arranger Owen Pallett (of Final Fantasy), was completed that December.

Early in 2008, the Last Shadow Puppets played a pair of shows in New York and announced that their debut single and album, both titled The Age of the Understatement, would arrive that spring on Domino Records. The album was generally well-received and even garnered a Mercury Prize nomination. While there was talk of making another album, the duo would ultimately take their time returning to the studio. During the next several years, Turner continued his work with Arctic Monkeys, releasing 2009's Humbug, 2011's Suck It and See, and 2013's AM. Kane also kept busy releasing two solo albums with 2011's Colour of the Trap and 2013's Don't Forget Who You Are. The duo did reconvene for several live shows, including a performance during Kane's supporting slot for the Arctic Monkeys in Paris in 2012 and again at Kane's Glastonbury set in 2013.

It was only after the Arctic Monkeys went on hiatus in 2014 that Turner and Kane reunited in Los Angeles to begin work on new material. Working with producer James Ford and longtime collaborator arranger Owen Pallett, the Last Shadow Puppets recorded their sophomore full-length album, 2016's Everything You've Come to Expect. The album, which peaked at number one on the U.K. albums chart, showcased more of the duo's orchestral-steeped sound, and included the singles "Bad Habits" and "Aviation." Also in 2016, they delivered the six-song EP, The Dream Synopsis. Included on the EP were re-recordings of two songs off Everything You've Come to Expect, as well as a handful of covers including songs by Jacques Dutronc, Glaxo Babies, and Leonard Cohen. ~ Heather Phares

Alex Turner became one of Europe’s most popular frontmen in early 2006, when the first Arctic Monkeys album became the fastest-selling U.K. record of all time. Turner had formed the indie rock band several years earlier, while attending Stocksbridge High School with fellow musicians Andy Nicholson, Glyn Jones, and Matt Helders. Looking for a fifth member, the classmates added guitarist Jamie Cook, one of Turner’s neighbors in the High Green suburb of Sheffield, England. When Glyn Jones left the lineup in 2002, Turner became the band’s default frontman and lyricist.

Arctic Monkeys launched their own label, Bang Bang Recordings, and released a popular single in May 2005. Things progressed quickly from there, with Domino Records offering the guys a recording contract in June. Recording sessions for their first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, were finished in September, and the album officially appeared in January 2006, selling over 118,000 copies during its first day. Nearly 375,000 copies were sold by the end of the week, laying the groundwork for a busy year that also included the release of a five-track EP, the departure of Andy Nicholson, the arrival of replacement bassist Nick O'Malley, and the receipt of the 2006 Mercury Prize. Although the entire band received much attention, Turner was singled out for his strong songwriting and erudite lyrics, which often focused on the ups and downs of nightlife in Northern England.

The band released a second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, in April 2007. Later that year, Turner announced plans to form a side project with Miles Kane, who’d previously toured with Arctic Monkeys as the frontman of supporting act the Rascals. Dubbing themselves the Last Shadow Puppets, Turner and Kane released a lushly orchestrated debut album, The Age of the Understatement, in April 2008. Like Turner’s two albums with Arctic Monkeys, the record topped the charts during its first week.

Turner continued collaborating with other artists -- including Dizzee Rascal, Reverend and the Makers, and Tony Christie -- while keeping his focus on Arctic Monkeys, whose third album, Humbug, appeared in 2009. A worldwide tour followed, after which the bandmates began laying the groundwork for a fourth record. Meanwhile, Turner penned six songs for a Richard Ayoade film, Submarine, whose 2011 soundtrack doubled as the frontman’s first solo release. ~ Andrew Leahey

Marked by his resonant croon and charismatic stage swagger, Britain's Miles Kane is a solo performer and collaborator known for his vintage '60s- and '70s-inspired rock sound. Kane initially emerged as lead singer of the short-lived outfit the Rascals before gaining wider recognition as one-half of the Baroque pop duo the Last Shadow Puppets alongside Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner. The duo's 2008 debut, The Age of Understatement, earned them acclaim, including a Mercury Prize nomination. As with that project, Kane's solo albums, like 2011's Colour of the Trap, 2013's Don't Forget Who You Are, and 2018's Coup de Grace (all of which hit the Top 20 in England), reveal his longstanding love of artists like T. Rex's Marc Bolan, David Bowie, and Paul Weller, albeit with his own literate eye for the details of modern life. It's a vibrantly timeless sound he further explored on 2022's Change the Show and 2023's One Man Band, the later recorded with the Coral's James Skelly.

Born in 1986 in Merseyside, Kane was an 18-year-old guitarist when he formed his first band Little Flames with childhood friends vocalist Eva Petersen, guitarist Mat Gregory, bassist Joe Edwards, and drummer Greg Mighall. However, after Petersen and Gregory left the band due to creative differences, Kane and the remaining members formed the Rascals with Kane taking on vocal duties. The band's 2007 debut EP drew praise from the NME, and the band came to wider attention after joining Arctic Monkeys on tour. Having struck up a friendship, Kane and Turner formed the Last Shadow Puppets, and collaborated on their debut, 2008's The Age of Understatement. Buoyed by the Top Ten title track single, the album hit number one in Britain, and received a Mercury Music Prize nomination. Kane returned to the Rascals long enough to record the band's full-length, 2008's Rascalize, but left the band the following year.

In 2011, he delivered his full-length solo debut, Colour of the Trap, which featured production from Dan Carey, Dan the Automator, Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys, and others. Included on the album was the single "Inhaler." It debuted at number 11 in the U.K. and achieved gold status. His sophomore album, the Ian Broudie-produced Don't Forget Who You Are, followed two years later. It debuted at number eight on the U.K. charts and included songwriting contributions from Paul Weller and XTC's Andy Partridge.

Kane reunited with Turner for the Last Shadow Puppets' second album, 2015's Everything You've Come to Expect, which included the single "Bad Habits." As with their debut, it also featured orchestral arrangements from Owen Pallett. The album reached number one in Britain, and entered the Top 80 of the Billboard 200. Following a tour with Turner, Kane resumed work on his solo material. He returned in 2018 with his third album, the John Congleton-produced Coup de Grace, which featured songwriting collaborations with Jamie T., Lana Del Rey, and Mini Mansions. Buoyed by the single "Loaded," the album was his second to hit the top 10 in England.

In 2022, he released his fourth solo album, Change the Show, which featured a collaboration with Corinne Bailey Rae. It reached number 12 on the U.K. albums chart. The following year, he delivered One Man Band, recorded in Liverpool with his cousin producer and The Coral-singer James Skelly. ~ Matt Collar