The Strokes have updated NME on progress on their long-awaited new album, teasing ‘surprises’ and that it should hopefully be released next year.

While they released the ‘Future Present Past’ EP earlier this year, the NYC four-piece have not dropped an album since 2013’s ‘Comedown Machine’ – and have been working on the follow-up for quite some time.

“We’re definitely working,” bassist Nikolai Fraiture told NME. “As people know by now, deadlines are not our forte. Anticipation and surprises are still part of the excitement of releasing new music.”


Discussing balancing The Strokes with his new band Summer Moon, Fraiture added: “With the pace of The Strokes as it is, I see plenty of time and room to do both. We play the song ‘Chemical Solution’ differently live than on the record. There’s an extended solo section at the end where everyone gets lost in the music. It’s a beautiful moment and I’m hoping to capture those new feelings on tape (and hard drive).”

Meanwhile, guitarist Nick Valensi told NME: “The Strokes are alive and well and living in New York City. We are working on music and we want to put music out hopefully next year.

“If I start saying that now, though, then people just get too excited and then there’s all this hype you’ve got to compete with and that’s not fun. If anything I’d rather just pull a Beyoncé next year and just drop shit.”

Valensi has also formed a new band, CRX, who will release their debut album ‘New Skin’ produced by Josh Homme on 28 October.

Advertisement