Having just performed at a Bernie Sanders campaign rally in Durham, New Hampshire, The Strokes have just announced they will be releasing a new album called The New Abnormal. It will be a fully bodied album of songs since their 2013 album Comedown Machine.
In an attempt to take down (in Bernie Sander’s words) ‘The Most Dangerous President in the modern history of America’, legendary rock band The Strokes have taken the opportunity to rally behind Sanders in support for his presidential 2020 campaign.
The Strokes debuted two new songs, “Bad Decisions” and “At the Door,” during their Monday set at Bernie Sanders’ rally at the University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire. The band also announced that their long-awaited new LP, The New Abnormal, will be out on April 10th.
“Yeah, we’ve got a new album coming out soon! 2020, here we come,” Casablancas told the crowd. “The 2010s, whatever the fuck they’re called, we took ‘em off. And now we’ve been unfrozen and we’re back!” said Julian Casablancas.
At the New Hampshire rally event Strokes front man Julian Casablancas said: “We are honored to be associated with such a dedicated, diligent, & trustworthy patriot—and fellow native New Yorker. As the only truly non-corporate candidate, Bernie Sanders represents our only chance to overthrow corporate power and help return America to democracy. This is why we support him.”
In what quite sounds politically charged, Casablancas could not have chosen any other words best to describe what The Strokes are about. It comes in a bit of a surprise because they are perceived to be a rock band that prides themselves on a its us-against-the-world mentality. They are a rock and roll band from New York who have been anti-establishment and who once cited fellow New Yorker and rock legend, Lou Reed of The Velvet Underground having a major influence on The Strokes’ songwriting and sound.
The Strokes’ set continued with a cover of Talking Heads ‘Burning Down The House’, which was a nod to the fiery Sanders’ pun, Feel The Bern slogan. The performance ended with a rowdy rendition of the band’s song, ‘New York City Cops’, as Julian Casablancas taunted the actual cops who were trying to shut down the show amid a crowd stage-invasion.
This will be their new album in seven years since their acclaimed Comedown Machine which had impressive catchy songs such as ‘One Way Trigger’, ‘Tap Out’ and classic Strokes flavoursome ‘All The Time New’. The New Abnormal however promises to show a complete different Strokes.
‘Bad Decisions’
‘Bad Decisions’ shows The Strokes early signature sound from their debut album ‘Is This It’ but with a hint of maturity. Critics have already commented that this new album will be a mesh between classic Strokes and Julian Casablancas’ 2009 solo album Phrazes Of The Young.
‘At The Door’
Once again, The Strokes’ new song ‘At The Door’ pushes the band into progressive heights. The track is heavily synth driven and Casablanca’s invites listeners into his own self awareness of his inner feelings and thoughts. Additionally, Casablanca’s haunting existential lyrics sort of paints where humanity stands within an alarming and conflicted 21st century, “I can’t see beyond this wall, but we lost this game so many times before.” The accompanying animated video pictures a sci-fi celestial/otherworldly escapade.
The New Abnormal is expected to be release on April 10th, 2020.
The New Abnormal Tracklist
Subscribe to FIB’s Weekly Alchemy Report for your weekly dose of music, fashion and pop culture news!