The Strokes: Synth to the fore
The synthesizer keyboard has returned to its rightful place in rock as underscored in the new The Strokes’ album “The New Abnormal.” In their sixth opus, the Manhattan-NY band goes back to the synth-rich styles and sounds of the ‘80s.
They open with “The Adults Are Talking,” with its earlyiteration of drum-machine charm and pulsing synth bass that recall Joe Jackson’s “Stepping Out.” Up next is the dream pop textures of “Selfless” featuring spot-on falsettos from Julian Casablancas. Then there’s the nod to New Order on “Brooklyn Bridge To Chorus” wherein Casablancas croons “And the eighties bands, where did they go?”
Then the coolest arpeggiated guitar riff that could have been plucked from the New Wave era opens “Bad Decisions.” Even the repeating chorus of “Making bad decisions” seems to have been borrowed from Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself.” And perhaps these ‘80s references are forcing me to hear some the vocal melody of “The
Ghost In You” on the chorus of “Eternal Summer.”
Retrowave or throwback or whatever, the thing is, The Strokes doesn’t sound like they’re just mimicking a style. Their shift from then to now sounds so seamless. That’s why the synth-heavy layers that make up the dreamy “At The Door” seem so natural for them. None more so on “Why Are Sundays So Depressing” where The Strokes of old meet with the new.
The band—Casablancas, drummer Fab Moretti, bassist Nikolai Fraiture, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond, Jr.—worked with renowned producer Rick Rubin whose credits include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, Linkin Park,Kendrick Lamar and AC/ DC, among others
As for the synthesizer keyboard being used to the fore, it was a slow and steady rise to the top. But the synth—as the go-to music equipment of thousands upon thousands of DIY music productions--has now become the ubiquitous music apparatus for indie and modern rock.
Even local acts have made it an indispensable part of their sound: from solo acts Rico Blanco and Unique Salonga; to bands such as Brisom, Calein, Garage Morning, Autotelic, The
Bed Bites and even Truefaith.
And now, bringing indie-synthpop and rock to the front is none other than the toast of early aughts New York rock scene, The Strokes. As usual, they look and sound so cool at it.