Reality Awaits, the first new album from the Strokes in six years, is due out next month. Early singles "Going Shopping" and "Falling Out Of Love" have set off fiery debates within the fan base, partially because of Julian Casablancas' choice to sing through Auto-Tune. I don't object to Auto-Tune any more than I object to distortion pedals, but the new songs have not necessarily bolstered my confidence about Reality Awaits.
Albert Hammond Jr., however, swears it's really good. Hammond, the only original guitarist currently touring with the band due to Nick Valensi's hiatus, posted the "Falling Out Of Love" cover art on his Instagram account last week with the caption "F.O.O.L." (See what Casablancas did there? I had missed the acronym aspect of the song until now.) One commenter wrote, "Albert I know you don't like it bro you can tell us," which sparked a vigorous defense of the album from Hammond.
"it's my favorite album we've ever done," Hammond wrote. "I can't express how beautiful it is. I listen to the whole thing and wanna start from the beginning again. It grows and grows and becomes intoxicatingly good."
I really hope that's true, Albert. This summer could really benefit from an intoxicatingly good Strokes album.
Reality Awaits is out 6/26 on Cult/RCA.
