Julian Casablancas set to release new solo LP

Following a three year hiatus from the music world, Julian Casablancas the lead vocalist of the Strokes, is set to follow in the footsteps of fellow band mate Albert Hammond, Jr. by releasing a new solo album. Titled ‘Phrazes For The Young’, the album is set for release October 20th, having already been premiered at the Duo Music Exchange in Tokyo.

With the Strokes’ lead man ostensibly disappearing of the face of the earth following the release of First Impressions of Earth, it certainly will be interesting to see if the new project will garner the same success as Albert Hammond, Jr. solo career. Perhaps in light of continued rumours of a new Strokes album being on the way, Phrazes For The Young will partly function in providing a taster for a potential comeback album.

Whilst the usual “stress and tiredness” clichès were being bandied about as justifications for the Strokes hiatus, the fact their previous release wasn’t received with open arms could well have presented another clue into the group’s disappearance, as an attempt to slightly change their musical style resulted in a drastic drop in record sales.

I for one actually liked their last album, and although slightly sceptical will be checking out Phrazes for the Young. With that said however, I do hope that any Strokes comeback will not be produced by Pharrell Williams, as the rumours are suggesting, and that while keeping fresh they do not attempt to go down the rock/rnb path of Chris Cornell. The market of garage rock may not be as significant as it was eight years ago, but with the Kings of Leon being a fine example; it is certainly a market far from dead.

So please feel free to drop your thoughts on this new release, and meanwhile check out this preview for the new album, together with the tentative track listing.

The New Album Cover

• “Out of the Blue”
• “River of Brake Lights”
• “4 Chords of the Apocalypse”
• “11th Dimension”
• “Ludlow St.”
• “Glass”
• “Left & Right in the Dark”
• “Tourist”