r/Music2020s

Synopsis:

Following up on their Grammy-winning 2020 LP The New Abnormal, frontman Julian Casablancas blends his experimental side-project (The Voidz) aesthetic with classic Strokes songwriting. Recorded partly in Costa Rica, the album leans heavily into digital vocal processing, mid-century weariness, and a relaxed, wandering instrumental atmosphere that challenges fan expectations about aging and relevancy in a machine-driven world. Rick Rubin returns, producing the album, the band's weirdest album to date blending their classic sound with synth textures, heavy auto-tune, and themes dealing with midlife alienation. 

The Review:
The album opens with “Psycho Shit” ; it begins with light synths that build bigger as the track moves forward. I think the auto-tone works well with the musical themes of the track. The track feels more dense and menacing as it builds to its climax. “Dine N’ Dash” has this hard hitting rhythm that sounds so hypnotic. The guitars have this hazy distortion that gives the track some ambiance. Julian’s vocals sound tight as ever. It is perhaps the best track on the album structurally. It could have easily been an outtake from their last album. “Lonley In the Future” is easily the most controversial song on the album. It takes shots at the Weeknd, Harry Styles, and Anthony Fantano. The song begins with a heavy crunchy guitar riff before it settles into a bounce indie rock groove. “Falling Out Of Love" was the second single released before the album’s release. It is a ballad that meshes indie/country/synth rock. It sounds so lonely and isolated, containing the themes of the record. “Going To Babble On” has  a mid-tempo indie rock groove. It feels very chill and laid back. “Going Shopping” was our first glimpse of what the Strokes were going to bring us during this album cycle. It is a definition of a grower and not a shower track. I like this more every time I listen to it. Its infectious melodies get brighter throughout as the song moves along. The auto-tone might be unsettling at first but it settles in nicely. “Liar’s Remorse” is this beautiful percussion free ballad. It is just hazy jagged guitar tones and Juilan’s compelling vocals. It just feels so empty and lonely. The song deals with how AI and other technology has disconnected us. “Fruits Of Conquest” adds some funky rhythms to The Strokes melodies. It gives the song a sleazy dub-step vibe. The album closes with “Tyrants Of The Mellow Moon” has this ambient synth indie rock hybrid groove. It just feels so chilled out and hazy. Ending the album with a whimper and not a bang. 

Final Thoughts

Everyone is freaking out about the auto-tone on this record. I am not that annoyed by it. At first listen this seems just to be a bland late career change of pace record. If you dive deeper it really sucks you in. Maybe Strokes fans wanted more after a six year wait between albums which I can understand. Maybe it feels more like a Voidz album than a Strokes album. I also get that. I just feel sometimes during musical discourse people get distracted by what “critics” or what the hear someone on Tik Tok have to say and not taking time to really delve into the work. I do enjoy this album for what it is but don’t take my word for it go and listen to this on your own. If you dig it, that's cool. If you don't, the sun will rise again tomorrow.