By Elijah Mckenzie
When The Strokes released their debut album, “Is This It,” in 2001, it was named Album of the Decade by New Musical Express magazine, all while other media outlets heralded the group as the saviors of rock and roll.
The New York band has since released three other albums, touting an impressive list of awards and nominations along the way. Fast forward 10 years later and now we have “Angles,” the fourth studio album by The Strokes, due out March 21.
Earlier albums, “Room on Fire” and “First Impressions of Earth,” stretched the musical palate of the band further out than their debut took them, weaving grunge and techno into their trademark dual guitar sound. However, for “Angles,” the band has admitted in several interviews that the album will return to the basic sound and style of the old-school Strokes.
So what does that mean for avid fans? Perhaps less of the jagged guitar riffs, like those heard in the song “Juicebox,” and more of the mellow harmonies, as heard in “Hard to Explain.”
Since their last release, “First Impressions of Earth,” in 2006, the band took a prolonged hiatus from recording, giving some of the band members the creative flexibility to experiment with solo careers. And experiment they did.
Lead guitarist, Albert Hammond Jr., let his guitar-wielding talent take center stage when he released his instrumental-laden solo album, “Yours to Keep,” in 2006. Not only did the album demonstrate Hammond’s ability to carry a tune, but it featured his knack for writing quality lyrics as well.
Subsequently, lead vocalist Julian Casablancas released his ‘80s synth-pop-inspired album, “Phrazes for the Young,” in 2009. The album marked a clear departure from his earlier work in The Strokes, when the indie garage band sound was the highlight of the group’s character.
Although “Angles” promises to be similar in style to “Is This It,” it will most likely feature a blend of Hammond’s lo-fi style and Casablancas’ panache for creating rigid yet catchy beats, as heard in each of their solo efforts.
If the first single of “Angles,” “Under Cover of Darkness,” is any indication of the album’s melodic scale, it will most likely feature slashing guitar melodies and the familiar croon of Casablancas’ raspy voice. The single definitely rings familiar to earlier songs, like “Someday” and “12:51,” yet it carries a certain kick that feels deliberately new. But whatever direction The Strokes decide to take, it is highly unlikely anything could disappoint the fans at this point, especially after a six-year wait.
