The Strokes

The Strokes

The Strokes are an American rock band from New York, formed in 1998. The group consists of Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi, Albert Hammond Jr., Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti. Their sound is associated with garage rock, garage rock revival, indie rock, new wave, post-punk revival and alternative rock.

Formation and early years

The band forms around childhood connections between Casablancas, Moretti and Valensi, later joined by Hammond Jr. and Fraiture. United by an interest in garage rock, punk and new wave, they develop a style that becomes closely linked to the early 2000s indie rock revival and the New York underground scene.

Albums and notable tracks

The Strokes release their debut album, Is This It, on RCA in 2001. It includes the tracks “Last Nite” and “Someday” and gains wide critical acclaim. Their second album, Room on Fire (2003), includes “12:51” and “Reptilia” and continues their run as a major rock act of the period.

In 2005 they release the single “Juicebox”, with the B-side “Hawaii”, ahead of First Impressions of Earth in 2006. That album includes “Juicebox” and “You Only Live Once” and shows a more experimental direction. Angles follows in 2011, with “Under Cover of Darkness” and “Machu Picchu”. Comedown Machine arrives in 2013 and moves toward a more synth-driven and experimental sound, including “One Way Trigger” and “Tap Out”.

The band releases the EP Future Present Past in 2016, with “Drag Queen”, “OBLIVIOUS” and “Threat of Joy”. Their sixth studio album, The New Abnormal, appears in 2020 and is produced by Rick Rubin. It includes “The Adults Are Talking” and “Selfless”.

Style and significance

The Strokes are noted for a distinctive guitar-based sound and for their cultural impact in the early 2000s. Their work is often associated with the New York indie rock revival, and later releases show a continued interest in change and experimentation while retaining the core band line-up.