The Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness - 09.02.2011

It's finally here - the long awaited return of The Strokes is here with comeback track 'Under Cover of Darkness' and here's what I thought of it:

The build-up to this comeback has been dominated by stories of the band being at war. The Strokes apparently have 'undertones of hostility and resentment' within the five-piece, while the four musicians were reported to be less than happy with Julian Casablancas and his solo exploits. This resulted in a take of the up-coming album, 'Angles', being dumped and Casablancas said to have recorded vocals separate to the band. So how has this affected the band's output?

March 22nd will reveal all as their hugely anticipated fourth album hits the shelves; five years after the powerhouse 'First Impressions of Earth'; but for us fans and all interested parties, 'Under Cover of Darkness' has been released to wet our appetites. So what will it be? The epicly charming Strokes that gave us 'Is This It?' and reinvented modern rock and coolness at the same time? Or will it be a damp squib from a band unfocused through in-fighting and well out of touch with a modern audience? Thankfully, it's the first one.

Brimming with optimism and jangling guitars, this sounds like a pacy and earlier Strokes production. Hook-heavy and breathlessly addictive, it has touches of both 'Is This It?' and 'Room On Fire' that ensure it does not disappoint. There is no evidence of battle-within in this track; a fine performance as a light guitar-driven build-and-release comes and goes twice with maximum effect. Casablancas is at his effortless best with a typically Casablancas vocal; slightly whining but brilliantly suited to this modern-rock gem. The Strokes are back.

It's a fine thing to see a band like The Strokes in full flight, and the happy yet confident 'Under Cover of Darkness' is a fine example of them on top form. 'Angles' may have been born in difficult circumstances but if it follows the lead that this taster track has set, we could be in for a treat. The Strokes sound as if they are back with a vengeance, eager to rediscover the audience that might have waned over the band's hiatus.

Casablancas, in unmistakably triumphant form along with his estranged bandmates, sings 'I'll wait for you/Will you wait for me?'. I think you'll find that there are a lot of fans waiting out there for this album, and it carries on in this style, expect to see The Strokes back at the summit of the music scene.

A great track, and here is 'Under Cover of Darkness'.

NWR