The Strokes Just Dropped Two New Songs, and They’re Unsurprisingly Great
When The Strokes delivered Is This It in 2001, it was a significant, scene-altering moment. Not only did that record defibrillate ’70s garage rock into relevance with its stripped-down riffs and nonchalant crooning, but it also propelled a distinctly New York band back to the centre of the musical world for the first time in decades — an occurrence that only seemed more important, triumphant and comforting in the months immediately following 9/11.
It feels, in some ways, like that moment is back. Earlier today, The Strokes announced a new EP entitled Future Present Past, and released two of its four songs: “OBLIVIUS” and “Drag Queen.” And goodness gracious, is it ever good to hear this band at its best again.
Not that Julian Casablancas and co. haven’t released great music in the last 15 years — all four of their Is This It follow-ups had their moments — but none of it has felt quite as vital or necessary as these tracks do. “OBLVIUS,” especially, with its smooth, tight grooves and soaring hook, sounds like the idle days of summer in a way no song in 2016 has.
What we’re trying to say is: it’s good to have you back, boys. Stick around for awhile.
Future Present Past EP hits stores on June 3rd. You can preorder it here.
**UPDATE**: Another song from the EP just dropped. It’s called “Threat of Joy.”
Photo: Pooneh Ghaneh
