The Strokes Release First Single from Upcoming Fifth Studio Album

Starting with 2011’s Angles, The Strokes have entered the second act of their career. The first part, essentially the first half of the 2000s, focused around a scruffy, 1970s garage revival sound. The second is built around a more polished, focused presence. If Angles at times sounded like a Cure release, “One Way Trigger,” the first sing from their upcoming, still-untitled fifth studio album, veers toward the synth-based tones of New Order.

Yet, unlike the ‘80s sounds rock contemporaries The Killers and The Bravery briefly resuscitated in the early ‘00s, The Strokes’ experimentation with synths appears more upbeat. “One Way Trigger” takes on a faster tempo, and frontman Julian Casablancas’ vocals are higher-pitched than usual. While “One Way Trigger” is a solid track and an indicator of a stronger shift in sound, it has one drawback: specifically, where’s Nikolai Fraiture’s distinct bass? If you have yet to hear the track, listen to it here.

News of a fifth Strokes album broke on January 16. At the time, Seattle radio station 107.7 made a Facebook post about previewing a new track from the New York band, called “All The Time.” It was assumed this song would be the band’s first single.

Over the past summer, as well, the band was spotted at the Electric Lady Studios in New York, recording with producer Gus Oberg, who had worked with them on Angles. Although the band denied such activities at the time, a source later confirmed a new record was in the works. The album, as well, is assumed to be their last on RCA.