The best thing that happened today was waking up and listening to The Strokes‘ new single ‘Under Cover of Darkness‘. The unmistakable sound of The Strokes blasting through the speakers was like welcoming an old friend with a new swagger, but the same outfit, after much too long a time.
The lead single from their highly anticipated new album ‘Angles‘, the first in five years, explodes into familiar yet comforting groove. There is nothing new or remotely experimental in the sound, but when a band can boast an album as good as ‘Is This It‘ why change? Embrace it and do what you do best and this is what The Strokes do best.
‘Under Cover of Darkness‘ has the addictive sound that The Strokes possess, although this time it may even have more bounce to it than normal – almost like their sound doesn’t allow you to sit still in its presence, it gets in your veins and it gets in your feet and it takes over, it takes control.
The vocals from Julian Casablancas are as raspy and raucous as ever and show no sign of ageing or slowing down. The lyrics ‘Get dressed jump out of bed and do it best’ say everything that needs to be said about the return of a band that has done just that.
The single was made available for 48 hours on the 9th February for free download on the The Strokes’ official website.
(Barry Begg)