SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE: Reality awaits: Is this it for The Strokes?

On April 6, 2026, The Strokes posted on Instagram a teaser for their

Courtesy photo

seventh studio album, “Reality Awaits.” Coming as a surprise to some, others were expecting this because of the band’s sudden involvement with shows such as Coachella, Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits. 

It has been six years since their last studio album, “The New Abnormal,” was released, so what are The Strokes going to do to shock their listeners once again and why should people even consider listening to it? 

To answer that question, another question needs to be addressed first: Who are The Strokes, and why are they still being talked about today — 25 years after their debut album?

The Strokes formed in 1998 in New York City with singer/songwriter Julian Casablancas, his childhood friend  and bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and two friends from school, drummer Fabrizio Moretti and guitarist Nick Valensi. Then in 1999, guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., who met Casablancas while they both were attending a boarding school in Switzerland, joined the band. 

They released their debut album, “Is This It,” Aug. 27, 2001, in Europe and Oct. 9 in the United States. “Is This It” was an immediate success. The band found itself being deemed the “saviors of rock ’n’ roll,” as the band brought back the garage-band feel to its songs. “Is This It” included songs — such as “Last Nite,” “The Modern Age,” “Someday” and “Hard to Explain” just to name a few — that fans and critics both loved. 

With the success of their debut, expectations were high, and in 2003, they released “Room on Fire.” Although it didn’t reach the same height as “Is This It,” fans welcomed new songs such as “12:51,” “The End Has No End” and “Reptilia.” 

Similar to “Room on Fire,” their third studio album, “First Impressions of Earth,” didn’t meet the same hype as “Is This It,” but audiences still praised the album. They took a brief hiatus, which allowed members to branch out and work on solo projects. During this time, Casablancas, Hammond and Fraiture performed under the stage name Nickel Eye.

The band’s fourth studio album, “Angles,” released in 2011, saw a shift in the band’s sound. Rather than a garage, grunge-rock feel, they went pop-rock and started experimenting with their sounds. Rather than Casablancas writing the music, all members were included in the songwriting process. Reviews on this album were mixed, and even now, fans are split on this album. 

Then in 2013, The Strokes released their fifth and most ambitious album yet, “Comedown Machine.” Much like before, this album had a much different feel than “Is This It,” with critics writing it off and Pitchfork rating the album a 6.1 out of 10. To many, this was the end of The Strokes, with all members going in different directions. Casablancas focused on his side project, The Voidz. 

Years passed without much spark from the band, though they went on to release a four-track EP, “Future Present Past.” In 2020, The Strokes released their sixth studio album, “The New Abnormal.” Working with legendary producer Rick Rubin, The Strokes found their love of music and why they were a band in the first place. 

Friday, July 24, marks the release of their seventh studio album, “Reality Awaits,” and has been met with excitement from both fans and band members alike, with Hammond even calling it his “favorite album we’ve ever done” on Instagram. 

Working with Rubin again, fans are expecting a similar sound to “The New Abnormal.” What made “The New Abnormal” different was the use of synths, auto-tune and Casablancas being open and personal on that record. 

So why should you listen to “Reality Awaits?” This very well could be it for The Strokes. Members are nearing 50 years old, side projects are taking more control, and strained relationships are reasons as to why this could be the final album. If that is the case, then fans and listeners should just embrace this album and enjoy it. The first single released, “Going Shopping,” is a fun and very catchy song that many have found to be enjoyable. The Strokes are bound to have one last hoorah, and this could very well be it. If you want to make your summer more memorable and enjoyable, take a listen to “Reality Awaits,” coming soon.