Julian Casablancas
Thu 6 Aug 2009
The fourth Stroke to go it alone
Introducing the world to his solo debut via a strange theatrical trailer, The Strokes’ singer/songwriter Julian Casablancas is finally showing the world what he’s been up to all this time (apart from those collabs with the hilarious Lonely Island guys and his cameo with Sparklehorse earlier in the year, download below). We’ve speculated often, and missed his adorable sleepy drawl.
While The Strokes’ albums have admittedly gotten worse over time – less sharp, exciting and raw, more ponderous and thickly produced – I’ll always have a place in my heart for the New York City boys who brightened up my later teen-aged years.
Since the band’s last album there’s been drummer Fabrizio Morretti’s sun-soaked reggae-lite rock and roll with his West Coast buddies in Little Joy, bassist Nicolai Fraiture’s project Nickel Eye and of course guitarist Albert Hammond Jr.’s two solo albums, so with Casablancas now in the mix that just leaves other guitarist Nick. We know he’s been caught cavorting with models in his time, but when it comes to solo musical excursions he leaves a giant hole. Here’s hoping for something from him soon!
The promotional trailer for Casablancas’ album, Phrazes for the Young, shows he’s gone in a more abstract electronic style, resembling a strange R&B/Ratatat hybrid and reminding of the guitar/drum machine battle duo so strongly that both his synth sounds and album font are reminiscent of them! Amidst a curious collage of environmental footage showing a neat sci-fi trek into globalisation, Casablanca’s music is definitely more spacious and sombre compared to his immediate rock and roll of his band. It’s definitely an intriguing hint at what’s to come.
Phrazes for the Young will be released later this year on Cult Records/RCA, followed by a US tour. And for those fretting over The Strokes’ future, you needn’t worry. Rolling Stone recently reported on their studio time indulging in some purportedly ’70s style jams!
Sparklehorse- Little Girl (ft. Julian Casablancas)
Posted by Sarah Gooding under New York, U.S.A
[7] Comments
August 7th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
im excited about julian casablancas music but the strokes ‘indulging’ in 70s style jams…shiiit
August 9th, 2009 at 9:04 am
“The Strokes’ albums have admittedly gotten worse over time”
SLAP YOURSELF PLZ.
Their albums have only increased in quality as they grow older. Their music has matured and their instrumentation has only progressively improved.
August 9th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
kinda like kings of leon’s ‘instrumentation has progressively improved’ eh anon
August 9th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
you cant compare the strokes to the kings of leon , room on fire is the strokes best album and half of FIOE is prob their best stuff ever , there is so much more music going on and im guessing jules solo stuff will have a FIOE vibe taking the artwork into account. The garage rock thing was fun for a while but the best bands like the strokes , arctics had to move on.
Kings of leons sounds may of got weirder but the actual song writing got way more simple and lazy , a 3 year could of wrote it.
August 10th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Kings of Leon sound like a Kenny Loggins tribute band these days. I predict their next tour will be with the Jonas Brothers.
No comment on the Strokes, but I thought Julian’s theatrical trailer was hilarious. It looks like a trailer for the Al Pacino movie Cruising.
August 10th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
hmmm i agree with jamessssssssssss
sad to say it but i do think the strokes and kol both got worse over time, albeit at different rates – id much rather hear the 80′s wankery of FIOE over MAH SEX IS ON FIIIIRE anyday
August 10th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
This isn’t meant to sound bitchy, even though it will, but as a dedicated music blog, I’m pretty surprised it took you guys a whole month to put this video up? What gives?