Members
Julian Casablancas (vocals), Nick Valensi (guitar), Albert Hammond Jr. (guitar), Nikolai Fraiture (bass), and Fabrizio Moretti (drums)
Formation
The founding process of The Strokes was a serendipitous convergence of childhood connections and a shared musical vision. Julian Casablancas, Fabrizio Moretti, and Nick Valensi, childhood friends with varying musical experiences, came together in the late '90s. The trio's dynamic was enriched with the addition of guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. and bassist Nikolai Fraiture. Bonded by a mutual love for garage rock, punk, and new wave, the quintet officially formed The Strokes in 1998, embarking on a journey to synthesize their diverse influences into a sound that would later redefine the indie rock landscape. The amalgamation of their individual talents and shared passion for music set the stage for The Strokes' rise to prominence in the early 2000s.
Is This It (2001)
"Is This It" The Strokes" debut album released in 2001 under the reputable record label RCA, is an electrifying sonic manifesto that not only redefined the landscape of indie rock but also garnered widespread critical acclaim. Infused with a raw and unfiltered energy, the album became an instant classic, hailed for its gritty exploration of New York City's underground music scene. Featuring iconic tracks like "Last Nite" and "Someday," Julian Casablancas' charismatic vocals, Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr.'s guitar interplay, and the band's overall swagger made "Is This It" a timeless masterpiece. Its critical acclaim propelled The Strokes to the forefront of the early 2000s indie rock revival, cementing their status as trailblazers in the genre.
Room On Fire (2003)
"Room On Fire" the sophomore album by The Strokes released in 2003, seamlessly follows the success of their groundbreaking debut, "Is This It" The Strokes" (2001). While "Is This It" The Strokes" quickly became a cultural touchstone and achieved widespread acclaim, "Room On Fire" faced the challenge of living up to its predecessor's legacy.
From the rhythmic urgency of "12:51" to the infectious guitar riffs of "Reptilia," each track on "Room On Fire" showcases The Strokes' continued commitment to crafting catchy, yet substantive, rock anthems. While not eclipsing the commercial success of their debut, the album solidified The Strokes' standing as stalwarts of the early 2000s rock revival, demonstrating their artistic growth and ability to sustain their unique sound.
Juicebox and First Impressions Of Earth (2005 - 2006)
"Juicebox" by The Strokes, released as a single on November 14, 2005, ahead of their album "First Impressions of Earth," faced an early online leak, adding to the anticipation. Despite this, the track's bold guitar riffs and Julian Casablancas' charismatic vocals contributed to its positive reception, marking a significant moment in The Strokes' musical journey. They also released a catchy B-side "Hawaii".
"First Impressions Of Earth" The Strokes' third studio album released in January 2006, received a mix of reviews. Critics praised the album's experimental departure from the band's earlier sound, commending Julian Casablancas' introspective lyrics, dynamic guitar work, and rhythmic innovation. Standout tracks like "Juicebox" and "You Only Live Once" showcased The Strokes' ability to evolve while retaining their signature coolness. Despite differing opinions, the album marked a bold exploration of new musical territories and sparked conversations about the band's artistic evolution within the indie rock landscape.
Angles (2011)
"Angles" released by The Strokes in 2011, is a pivotal album in the band's journey, receiving a mix of reviews. Critics lauded its experimentation and collaborative nature, showcasing a departure from their previous works. Standout tracks like "Under Cover of Darkness" and "Machu Picchu" received praise for blending The Strokes' signature sound with fresh influences. While some critics found the album's diversity refreshing, others felt it lacked cohesion. Despite mixed reviews, "Angles" signaled The Strokes' return with a revitalized energy, sparking conversations about their evolving musical direction.
Comedown Machine (2013)
"Comedown Machine" released by The Strokes in 2013, is a unique entry in their discography. The album showcases a departure from their traditional sound, embracing a more synth-driven and experimental approach. Tracks like "One Way Trigger" and "Tap Out" demonstrate The Strokes' willingness to evolve, dividing critics but still affirming their capacity for sonic exploration. "Comedown Machine" adds another layer to The Strokes' musical evolution, inviting listeners into a realm of unexpected sounds and creative divergence. The Strokes adopted a media blackout strategy, refraining from interviews and traditional promotional activities. This intentional approach added an air of mystery to the album's release, sparking curiosity and discussions about the band's creative intentions.
Future Present Past EP (2016)
"Future Present Past" is a 2016 EP by The Strokes, featuring tracks like "Drag Queen", "OBLIVIOUS" and "Threat Of Joy" offering a glimpse into the band's evolving sound during the period between their albums "Comedown Machine" and "The New Abnormal".
The New Abnormal (2020)
Produced by legendary music producer Rick Rubin, "The New Abnormal" is The Strokes' sixth studio album, released in 2020 after a seven-year hiatus. The album represents a return to the spotlight for the band and showcases a blend of their signature rock sound with fresh and contemporary elements. Notable tracks include "The Adults Are Talking" and "Selfless". "The New Abnormal" received critical acclaim for its maturity, experimentation, and the band's ability to evolve while staying true to their distinctive style. The album's release was a highly anticipated moment for fans, marking a successful comeback for The Strokes after their extended hiatus.
Albert Hammond Jr. confirmed, that The Strokes are working on a new album, a follow-up to the succesful "The New Abnormal".
Here are the band members' side projects along with their released albums:
Julian Casablancas:
Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young (2009).The Voidz - Tyranny (2014), Virtue (2018).
Albert Hammond Jr.
Albert Hammond Jr. - Yours To Keep (2006), Como Te Llama? (2008), Momentary Masters (2016), Francis Trouble (2018).
Nick Valensi
CRX - New Skin (2016), Peek (2018).
Fabrizio Moretti
Little Joy - Little Joy (2008).machinegum - Conduit (2019).
Nikolai Fraiture
Nickel Eye - The Time Of The Assassins (2008).SUMMER MOON - With You Tonight (2017), Casino Days (2023).
Soma
The Strokes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hard times opened their eyes
Saw pain in a new way
High stakes for a few names
Racing against sunbeams
Losing against fig trees
In your eyes
And I am
Stop
And go
In your eyes
See, I am
Stop
And go
In your eyes
Let's go
When I saw her for the first time
Lips moved as her eyes closed
Heard something in his voice
"And I'll be there," he says
Then he walks out
Somehow he was tryin'
Too hard to be like them
And I am
Stop
And go
In your eyes
And I am
Stop
Oh, darlin' let me go
Tried it once and they liked it
And tried to hide it
Says, "I've been doin' this twenty-five years"
Well, I'm not listenin' no more
And these friends, they keep asking for more
Oh, yeah
Oh, but that's it
The Strokes’ song Soma is enigmatic and elusive - the lyrics are both cryptic and impressionistic. The track is thought to refer to American novelist Aldous Huxley's dystopian novel, Brave New World, in which characters take the fictional drug, soma, which makes them feel relaxed and content but unable to think or feel on their own. The line ‘Soma is what they would take when hard times opened their eyes’ suggests that the characters take the drug to escape from the harsh reality their world has become. The character’s awareness of pain - the ‘new way’ they ‘saw pain’ - suggests they once lived in a society that was more autonomous and free-thinkers.
In the next verse, there is a shift in the narrative voice, and the singer becomes introspective, with the lines ‘And I am stop and go /In your eyes/See I am stop and go /In your eyes/Let’s go.’ This change in tempo could indicate the rise in heart-rate of a person on a drug come-up. The lyrics hint at the way people can turn to drugs to avoid facing their problems or to feel like they belong. The singer is seemingly searching for a romantic partner, someone to ‘be there’ for them when ‘hard times opened their eyes’.
The song also has an ambiguous tone - the pace changes towards the end of the song, and the lyrics become more obscure. The final lines, 'Oh, yeah / Oh, but that's it', offer no resolution or closure. It appears that the character was looking for a way out but didn't want to take the easy route of self-deception. Soma may be a warning about the dangers of self-medicating and the importance of staying present in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Soma is what they would take when hard times opened their eyes
Soma is a medication that people would consume in difficult times to give them a new perspective on the pain they're facing.
Saw pain in a new way, high stakes for a few names
Soma helps see pain in a different light, and some people use it for fame regardless of the risks involved.
Racing against sun beams, losing against their dreams
People are chasing their dreams and are so passionate about it that they lose track of time and end up failing.
In your eyes
The person singing the song is talking directly to someone, asking them to take notice of what's happening around them.
And I am stop and go
The person singing is indecisive about something in their life and keeps changing their mind.
See I am stop and go
The person singing is repeating their previous statement about being indecisive.
When I saw her for the first time, lips moved as her eyes closed
The person singing is describing a moment when they saw someone for the first time and was fascinated by the way the person closed their eyes while talking.
Heard something in his voice
The person singing heard something in someone's voice that piqued their curiosity.
"And I'll be there", he says, then he walks out
Someone said that they would be there for another person, but they leave without fulfilling their promise.
Somehow he was trying too hard to be like them
The person who left was trying too hard to impress others by being like them, but it didn't work out.
Oh, darling, let me go
The person singing is asking someone to let them go, possibly from a bad situation or relationship.
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
People experimented with Soma, enjoyed the experience, but then tried to hide their usage.
Says, "I've been doing this twenty-five years"
Someone who has been taking Soma for a long time, probably addicted to the drug, refuses to stop even when confronted.
Well I'm not listening no more
The person singing is taking a stand and refusing to listen to their friends' pleas to stop taking Soma.
And these friends, they keep asking for more
The person's friends are also addicted to Soma and keep asking for more instead of trying to quit.
Oh, yeah
The person singing expresses agreement with the previous statement.
Oh, but that's it
The person singing implies that despite everything, they have reached a point where they are tired of the situation and will no longer participate in it.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Julian Casablancas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind