Strokes Singer Sizzles on Solo Debut

By: Eli Prysant

Phrazes For The Young by Julian Casablancas

                Julian Casablancas is most likely a man under pressure. It’s been 3 years since his band, The Strokes, have released an album. Reportedly they entered the studio to begin recording the follow up to 2006’s First Impressions of Earth earlier this year, but now Julian has announced that a “creative difference” has divided the band in two. Every member of the band besides him has formed side projects as well as released solo material in the time between. Having heard nothing from him in close to 4 years, expectations were high when he announced his solo album. As with most people, I found myself wondering whether or not the album would sound like a solo album or just rejected Strokes songs. The album is the former, and luckily it does not disappoint. Starting out with synths sounding like alien abductions, the opening track “Out of the Blue” transforms into a New Wave rocker where Julian sings gleefully “Yes, I know I am going to hell in a purple basket/ At least I will be in another world, while you’re pissing on my casket.” As the album progresses, Julian continues to find himself at home amidst the endless amount of synths and occasionally makes reference to his leather jacket background (“Left & Right in the Dark”, “Ludlow St.”). “Glass” begins with a hip hop backbeat, you almost expect Julian to start rapping over it until the synth kicks in; and “The Tourist” is a song in which Julian explores surreal lyrics about not having a place in the world, only to turn it into a dedication at the very end, complete with horns and string arrangements. The first single, “11^th Dimension” (which you can listen to below), is a bright upbeat romp about who knows what (Finding salvation? Criticism of America? Being yourself?), but as with most of the album, you can tell Julian is having fun doing it, which is what fans of his will find too on this enjoyable debut.