The New Abnormal
by The Strokes
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Apr 10, 2020
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 492 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 459 out of 492
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 492
  3. Negative: 16 out of 492
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  1. 37oth
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Honestly I’ve been waiting for this album ever since they performed The Adults Are Talking live for the first time back in may. It didn’t disappoint! Al the songs sound so different yet fit together perfectly as a whole. No momentum is lost throughout the album. You can definitely hear some “Voidz” sounds in there but in the end they’re just Strokes trying something new, yet staying trueHonestly I’ve been waiting for this album ever since they performed The Adults Are Talking live for the first time back in may. It didn’t disappoint! Al the songs sound so different yet fit together perfectly as a whole. No momentum is lost throughout the album. You can definitely hear some “Voidz” sounds in there but in the end they’re just Strokes trying something new, yet staying true to themselves. It’s amazing what a band can do even 20 years after they formed. Thank you The Strokes for this, I think we all needed it.… Expand
  2. Whatshouldnever
    Apr 10, 2020
    9
    They managed to use a lot of the 80's vibe and still being The Strokes. Loved it.
  3. eternity_tlf
    Apr 10, 2020
    8
    É uma pena ser tão curto... pois as músicas são ótimas e tenho certeza que haverão singles vindo ai posteriormente, a banda esta em um momento tão maduro, apenas quero mais disso! At The Door é uma pérola que eles sempre nos dão o prazer de ouvir, todo álbum possui 3 ou 4 músicas que se destacam, essa foi a música sem dúvida!
  4. stzx
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Fresh ideas, a newfound energy and the feeling that the band is finally having fun again.

    Instant classics such as Eternal Summer, Selfless and At the Door are the cherry on top of an album that will surely be divisive for a musical scene (and critics) that is still attached to the young and fresh band of the 00's, while the band has clearly moved on. Great music should be judged as    Fresh ideas, a newfound energy and the feeling that the band is finally having fun again.

    Instant classics such as Eternal Summer, Selfless and At the Door are the cherry on top of an album that will surely be divisive for a musical scene (and critics) that is still attached to the young and fresh band of the 00's, while the band has clearly moved on.

    Great music should be judged as such, and this is it.    … Expand
  5. Paul_Mokeski
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Amazing. Not a single dud on this album. These guys didn't miss a beat after seven years. Just finished my first listen and I already think this might go on to be one of my favorite Strokes albums
  6. DYL259
    Apr 10, 2020
    9
    Bands chemistry is on point for most of the album, feels fresh and much needed in these times
  7. israaleon
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Realmente los disfruté, es una joya, es evolución, y es inposible que no te guste.
    madures e incluso sorprende con la propuesta
  8. Suenu
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Their best album in years. Julian Casablancas’ voice never sounded better. Every track flows into the next track. Album production is also top notch.. Thank you The Strokes for this amazing album.
  9. jsteel510
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    wasn't even the biggest fan of their past work (albeit they have some great work, I just wasn't personally a huge strokes fan). This album is HEAT.
  10. johm
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Incredible consistent, fun album that perfectly mixes the classic sound with something new and exciting. The Strokes’ best album in a decade and a half, with not a bad song on it, but opened and closed with two of their very best songs.
  11. zJake
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Incredible return from The Strokes. I was a latecomer to them but grew to love them very fast and this album is an excellent addition to their discography. I've had it on repeat all day, my favourite tracks at the moment are: Endless Summer, Selfless and Ode to the Mets though there's not one bad track on the record.
  12. dqnillo
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Their best album since Room on Fire. Julian Casablancas prints his trademark synthpop mixed with traditional Strokes sound perfectly and ends up on a great album.
  13. Skysp3ctre
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is thier best since Room On Fire.
    Souns like Julian tried to make things different this time and it came out amazing. It's new and different from thier other albums. better lyrics so far    … Expand
  14. Cringetian
    Apr 10, 2020
    9
    Es demasiado bueno, pensé que iba ser peor, pero de verdad sorprende mucho definitivamente
  15. MattCosta
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Easily one of The Strokes best works to date. This album is superb. Very glad to see that they still know what they're doing. Every track is great and with powerful vocals from Julian it really brings everything together
  16. blackalbumsucks
    Apr 10, 2020
    9
    Best album this year so far. This was 100% worth the 7 year wait - if you haven't heard it already, GO AND LISTEN TO IT RIGHT NOW.
  17. gutierrez23
    Apr 10, 2020
    9
    I love the whay that they mix de álbum, Crazy and awesome instrumentals, Julien voices sound better than ever, one of the best albuns in 2020 far.
  18. BCNick22
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    78 metascore for this album is a disgrace. Majority of music critics are just another arm of the fake news media. Were talking about greatest rock band of the indie era with their best album since Room on Fire and First impressions. Their singles are actually the weakest on the record and are still immensely playable. Best album of 2020 so far by a landslide. Long live the strokes!
  19. transmission232
    Apr 10, 2020
    9
    Beautiful. Probably the first album they really dedicated themselves since FIOE. Solid tracks. Probably takes some time getting used to but after a while it will be loved more and more. Favorite track: selfless.
  20. SoundAndFilm
    Apr 10, 2020
    8
    On first listen, I thought that The New Abnormal was a 6 out of 10; a fairly underwhelming return after seven years. 


    Then I listened to it again, whilst looking at the track listings on Angles and Comedown Machine. These two previous albums got better with every listen and made me realise that The Strokes are the kings of making an album that grows on you.
 The New Abnormal doesn't    On first listen, I thought that The New Abnormal was a 6 out of 10; a fairly underwhelming return after seven years. 


    Then I listened to it again, whilst looking at the track listings on Angles and Comedown Machine. These two previous albums got better with every listen and made me realise that The Strokes are the kings of making an album that grows on you.


    The New Abnormal doesn't kick down the doors or blow any minds, but it does make for a very enjoyable 45 minutes.    … Expand
  21. Mccusky
    Apr 10, 2020
    7
    Typically this album is full of incredible musical, lyrical and vocal hooks, slowing down the tempo has really let Julians voice shine and they still are one of the tightest sounding bands around at the moment. Album production is the best in a while and they really do keep sounding fresh, with the exception of Room on Fire and Is This It none of their albums sound the same. All thisTypically this album is full of incredible musical, lyrical and vocal hooks, slowing down the tempo has really let Julians voice shine and they still are one of the tightest sounding bands around at the moment. Album production is the best in a while and they really do keep sounding fresh, with the exception of Room on Fire and Is This It none of their albums sound the same. All this however doesn't quite make up for the less convincing songwriting, Selfless is one of their best songs, At The Door, Adults Are Talking and Brooklyn are beautiful songs but the rest are rather forgettable, nothing much to pull you in and not much to keep you there.… Expand
  22. FlowerMoon
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Casablancas’ performances on every song are amazing. Certainly their best album since Is This It. Totally worth the long wait. Best tracks: The Adults Are Talking, Not The Same Anymore, At The Door and Eternal Summer.
  23. Colens
    Apr 10, 2020
    9
    It takes a few listens to really appreciate this album, although pretty much every strokes fan will like it from the get go, but, the great production and profound lyrics will have you revisiting this album years from now. This album is right up there with their debut album “Is This It”, surpassing all the other strokes records that came before it. Some stand out tracks are: At The Door,It takes a few listens to really appreciate this album, although pretty much every strokes fan will like it from the get go, but, the great production and profound lyrics will have you revisiting this album years from now. This album is right up there with their debut album “Is This It”, surpassing all the other strokes records that came before it. Some stand out tracks are: At The Door, The Adults Are Talking, Selfless and Bad Decisions… Expand
  24. Kunstbanause
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    It really does not matter what the critics say. They don’t understand us. They are just like the teachers back in the day, trying to convince us that we are silly and lazy when in reality we just care so much. And that takes time. And it’s just fine!
  25. Eduredmist
    Apr 10, 2020
    9
    The Best album since Room on Fire (2003). Just amazing. The chorus from Why Are Sunday's so Depressing is incredible!
  26. papi_cellophane
    Apr 10, 2020
    9
    The maturity of this album is heard, although it could have a well-deserved 10 but so that the voice of Julian Casablancas is lost in the melodies, it is not an album that reminds of what the band was in its beginnings. You can see the level of maturity they have reached, but they still need a little more polishing. Although, the album has influences from the 80's and synthesizers are usedThe maturity of this album is heard, although it could have a well-deserved 10 but so that the voice of Julian Casablancas is lost in the melodies, it is not an album that reminds of what the band was in its beginnings. You can see the level of maturity they have reached, but they still need a little more polishing. Although, the album has influences from the 80's and synthesizers are used that make it sound like New Wave. Love this album, because The Strokes have been my favorite band since I was 10 years old and I will have to listen to it a few more times to put it on my top.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Variety
    May 1, 2020
    86
    The band’s bluntest and most contagious — yet experimental — work.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    Apr 27, 2020
    50
    Mostly, they passively experiment with synth sounds as they did on Angles and Comedown Machine. At one point, they jack the melody to "Dancing With Myself". Sadly, the most intriguing parts of the record are the numerous times when Casablancas comments on the piss-poor songwriting in realtime.
    Read full review
  3. No Ripcord
    Apr 22, 2020
    60
    On their latest album, The New Abnormal, The Strokes have mirrored the career of Beck, offering a mimetic approximation of music they think people want, instead of music generated from their raw, inner demons or whatever fueled them on Is This It.
    Read full review
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