The Strokes rekindle the nostalgia of the '80s

It's an impressive addition to the band's discography. But it doesn't amount to one of those triumphant comebacks fans might have expected. On the other hand, skeptics are unlikely to be swayed by the band's polished sound.

The album immediately shows off a band that has sharpened its craft since we last heard from them. The opening track "The Adults are Talking" is classic Strokes. A perfect execution of the core style that made the group so popular in the first place.

"They said you were sophisticated. They complained," frontman Julian Casablancas noted. They crafted a sound propped up by bassist Nikolai Fratture's dynamic basslines and lightning-fast guitar riffs from Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr.

It's a blend of elements from the band's earlier work. It calls to mind their second album, "Room on Fire" (2003), in particular. The indignant, disillusioned lyricist makes a comeback reminiscent of their fifth album, "First Impressions of Earth," to form a smoother, more appealing sound.

Album Analysis

The record kicks off with a ballad that also serves as the unveiling of Casablancas's new and improved falsetto. Swept along by drummer Fabrizio Moretti's cymbals and yet another strong bassline from Fratture, "Selfless" is the kind of bold, romantic song that suits the band best these days.

Casablancas and his bandmates have grown up, but more importantly, the band finally seems to have made peace with its irritation at its initial mainstream success – and the scrutiny that came with it – along with their desire 

to experiment and go off the beaten path musically.

"Last Nite" apes the original riff of "American Girl." It was a sly wink from a 23-year-old rebel Casablancas. On the other hand, the "Dancing with Myself" riff on this album's track "Bad Decisions" is a cocktail of thoughts planted by his age, and it's a welcome show of self-awareness.

It doesn't hurt that "Bad Decisions" is an absolute delight. It's a pleasant, instantly catchy song and reflects the album's main appeal: for the first time in a decade, The Strokes sound like they're having fun again.

It doesn't hurt that "Bad Decisions" is an absolute delight.

Curiously, one slice of the '80s follows another, and this time the vibe of that era comes to us through this very band. "Eternal Summer" borrows its melody from the band's 1984 single "The Ghost in You."

It's a risky move and it only works because "Eternal Summer" might just be the album's high point. In line with the rest of the album, Casablancas leaves his vocals loose. On the other hand, Hammond Jr. and Valensi's guitars are as precise and nimble as ever.

This isn't just a shallow copy of the original Furs track. It's also a special fusion of the band's abilities and their influences. The song's synth themes come straight out of Casablancas's Voidz work, and its voice-like bridges nod to Pink Floyd's "The Wall" era. This range shows off the potential of "Eternal Summer."

Influences

However, while this '80s inspiration resulted in a highly accessible album, the album's best songs still don't quite measure up to those on their previous record. Even "Angles" wins that contest thanks to the strength of "Under Cover of Darkness." The album's obvious musical references, combined with a lack of truly outstanding songs, could leave the band's critics – and new listeners – underwhelmed.

The album also draws heavily from the band's previous three. The result is their most layered, impressive sound yet. That said, this doesn't mean the average listener will respond to the experimentation.

Every song here is a worthy addition to the band's discography, and a few are bound to stick around for good. 'The Adults are Talking', 'The Eternal Summer' and 'Ode to the Mets' stand out immediately. The last of these especially showcases Casablancas's most stripped-down vocals since his epic Voidz track "Human Sadness."

Given the enduring popularity of the band's debut album, "Is This It," it's striking that The Strokes managed to wring so much emotion out of the public consciousness. The result is an album built to stand the test of time. Even if it can't put them back on top of the rock world.

It's striking that The Strokes managed to wring so much emotion out of the public consciousness.

"The New Abnormal" is available on all streaming platforms.