The Strokes - Reality Awaits (2026)
On Reality Awaits, The Strokes continue moving away from the direct and effortless indie rock that made them famous. Guitars, synthesizers and heavily processed vocals create a more experimental sound, but the results are rarely as exciting as the band seems to believe.
A few tracks still benefit from their natural chemistry and sharp guitar interplay. There are flashes of the relaxed coolness and melodic instinct expected from The Strokes, but they are buried beneath strange production choices, repetitive structures and songs that continue long after making their point.
The main problem is not that Reality Awaits is different. It is that much of its experimentation feels unfocused and surprisingly dull. Julian Casablancas’ processed vocals create distance rather than emotion, while the album lacks the memorable hooks needed to compensate for its awkwardness.
There are enough interesting ideas to avoid complete failure, but this feels more like an unfinished collection of experiments than a convincing new chapter for the band.
ProsOccasional strong guitar interplay
Refuses to rely entirely on nostalgia
A few genuinely interesting production ideas
Cons
Weak and forgettable songwriting
Excessive vocal processing
Repetitive, unfocused and unnecessarily long
Genre: Indie Rock
Country: US
Final Verdict: 58% (Forgettable Album)
Yearly Ranking: 540th / 584
Highlight: Psycho Shit
Made me think of:
Arctic Monkeys
The Killers
Interpol
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