THE NEW ABNORMAL or: How The Strokes Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Band

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Opening Theme by Matthew McClelland
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This is it. The Strokes delivered and The New Abnormal is the band’s true return to form. With their decade-defining debut, The Strokes introduced the template for a new era of guitar-based music. They became the band that changed everything: “The last great rock stars”, “The saviours of rock and roll” -- you know the story. Is This It would be a tough act for anyone to follow -- much less for the band who crafted it. And despite never releasing a bad album since, each new record was constantly compared to that initial release and held to a level of expectation that just couldn’t possibly be met.
Regardless of how you’ve felt about everything after Is This It, The Strokes are back and better than ever, and in more ways than one. With some time spent apart pursuing side projects and the added aid of a legendary producer, The New Abnormal had the band rekindling the magic they’d progressively lose after their debut. Let’s dive into The New Abnormal or: how The Strokes learned to stop worrying and love the band.
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#Middle8 #TheStokes #TheNewAbnormal
This video is sponsored by CuriosityStream
Written, voiced and edited by Frank Furtado
Additional Music by Matthew McClelland

[@Middle8]

Sorry about the vocal processing on this one. KZbin somehow killed the audio. It didn’t clip like this while editing. I’d recommend avoiding listening with headphones with this episode. It’ll be fixed in the next one, for now enjoy the lo-fi aesthetic

[@mikojYT]

Thought it was my speakers and spent minutes figuring it out until I read the comments lol

[@MrMaxMaximal]

man it's just like rick rubin produced the video

[@Middle8]

@M.M.M You win

[@ILRO_]

i like it

[@sentriesband]

Weird low framerate too kinda made me nauseous after a while haha Great video though

[@wolfbear320]

I have three words for this album: Drums please fab

[@iceyroo]

Truuuuuuuu

[@asoomyesh7022]

you got it all

[@maxinew4011]

I had these three words carved on my airpods

[@oooooooorion]

Cookie situation tho

[@ex.1138]

best songg

[@mariojrz44]

Genuinely one of their best albums period. They all just wanted to be one of the strokes again and it showed.

[@thecountleo6059]

I'd say it rivals "is this it"

[@tonieeb9220]

@Virochan Sivarupan Arctic Monkeys?

[@nnaru_555]

lmao truu

[@old.tables1989]

@Virochan Sivarupan you really can’t separate AM from the strokes lol

[@gabschmerhold]

now look at the mess you made me make

[@carlosparra6521]

Ode to the Mets is just one of their best songs ever, and the best way to close such a masterpiece

[@mellin7049]

it's my least favorite song on the record but i still think it's awesome

[@simunijima3327]

@@mellin7049 least favourite? really?

[@mellin7049]

@@simunijima3327 mostly because it gets very repetitive. the song basically has ONE melody throughout and 6 minutes. it's honestly better when i crank it up to 1.25x.

[@zackzallie8735]

@@mellin7049 TWO actually. I like the other half much better.

[@mellin7049]

@@zackzallie8735 that's true. my mistake.

[@scottalot05]

Hmm, it’s like The Strokes actually wanted to make this album! You can hear the passion and the musicianship. But you can also feel the detached, carefree vibe the band’s always been known for.

[@franciscoguerra6860]

Am I the only one who gets the opposite vibe? It's seems like it was made in a lazy fashion, dude literally tells his drummer to start playing after the song started, I think they released this album just to release At the door, which has a very powerful and relevant message

[@chrissantos5580]

They actually hired a real producer

[@karu6111]

They’ve been wanting to work with Rubin for years! But Rubin told them they weren’t ready, that he didn’t find their demos “interesting” for him, for the lack of a better term. They ask it themselves to Rubin in their sortof podcast.

[@dormnuke]

@@franciscoguerra6860 let the man get his sandwich smh

[@bigd4wg510]

@@franciscoguerra6860 I dont agree I think all the songs on the album are good

[@Abhishek.Basnyat]

This album delivered on so many levels.

[@HectorTWE]

True, it's so tight as an album. No bad track/filler at all

[@saatviktyagi6722]

Totally agree

[@ObiWanKenobi]

@@HectorTWE _eternal summer would like to chat_ but seriously it was an amazing album

[@HectorTWE]

@@ObiWanKenobi That actually is one of my favourites from the album and I'm aware of the criticisms of it but I don't really agree with them

[@zackzallie8735]

@@ObiWanKenobi Eternal Summer is such a vibe.

[@thecountleo6059]

The new abnormal is almost like a generational rebirth of the strokes

[@chrysflowers8805]

🙌🙌

[@iceyroo]

The New Abnormal is an instant classic!

[@imanadzhar]

its mixture of past, present and future sound of the strokes and they're always like that..

[@soulreaverable]

@@imanadzhar Not enough semen-stained mountain tops

[@copethedeez]

@@imanadzhar future present past.. that was such a horrible joke i apologize

[@Lazybooy06]

When the new abnormal came out was such a instant crush!

[@kebab_boi]

Only The Strokes could come back this strong.

[@bigd4wg510]

I agree

[@curly-d23]

_cough_ A Tribe Called Quest _cough_

[@kebab_boi]

@@curly-d23 sir imma have to ask you to send in some recommendations. Which album by them should I start with? I’ve never listened to them before.

[@hnggghi]

@@kebab_boi not the guy you asked but the first one i listened to was midnight marauders listened to it one morning and wow i was hooked not even a few hours later i bought the vinyl check it out i think it’s their best 🤞🤞

[@kebab_boi]

@@hnggghi thank you my dude!

[@andrewisneon]

The Adults are Talking is easily one of their best songs out!

[@bloo22ca]

Selfless and Ode to the Mets give me goosebumps. Such a great album.

[@valkyrie2832]

The adults are talking and barely legal are tied as my favorite strokes song

[@hillelap8399]

@@bloo22ca my favorite songs from this album by far... if you loved them i think you'll like shuggie from foxygen they're pretty good and have the same vibe like the strokes

[@michelleloyola822]

Dude that song makes me FEEL

[@pranjallpahuja]

selfless and eternal summer are awesome!!

[@jobzeelenberg5900]

This was the album that made me discover the band, and I've been a big fan ever since. Songs like Selfless are still among my favorite Strokes songs ever.

[@priuskiller]

I knew of the band beforehand but yeah the album really got me into it. The original debut and Room on Fire are also so good.

[@aryasenaputra3226]

@@priuskiller i also knew them before hand but just cant get into them, but this album is my gateway to love all of their projects

[@RealSteveTheGoat]

Exactly how it was with me.

[@ArmandoGarciaJr.]

Dude Selfless was the song that catapulted me into my love for the strokes

[@bryrrock]

selfless might be one of their best songs indeed

[@tylerho4193]

I swear, this guy manages to hit every artist and album I listen to

[@yunggoon8763]

dam wide range of artists u listen to, tyler.

[@shubhmathur5589]

The Visuals On This Vid Alone Are Deserving Of A Diamond Play Button

[@NemoEUC]

I really believe theyve grown out of their old habits and finally started appreciating their time together

[@flos7254]

Rick Ruben was what the strokes needed to bring that magic to their music again. If i remeber correctly on the "5 guys talking about things they know nothing about" episode with Rick they talked about how he made them do this "jam sessions" before they started recording for every session wich made them loosen up, and some songs like The Adults Are Talking came from those sessions. Rick also talked about how he perceived that all the members were very excited to see each others but they just needed that little push.

[@dannybos7024]

Rick is a good produced if you want an album that can recreate the magic of your older stuff. He's not a good produced if you want it to sound good and not compressed; e.g. 13 by Black Sabbath is mastered way too loudly. And Metallica's Death Magnetic has audible clipping all through the mix.

[@owenstephen8317]

It’s weird that a lot of their albums didn’t perform that well, because there’s something unique I like about each album. For the longest time I liked ‘room on fire’ even more than ‘is this it’. I find it hard to even decide on which record’s my ultimate favorite, it honestly changes on a weekly basis.

[@willm3027]

First 3 could be #1.. I still can’t decide either and I don’t think I ever will. Hard to say that about another band.

[@chrysflowers8805]

i felt the same way only i ended up deciding with is this it. eventually i came to realise that i had a super strong bias because of reptilia, and something about the tracklist and general melancholy of that album is comparable to is this it.

[@owenstephen8317]

@@chrysflowers8805 fair enough. A year or so later and I’d say that ‘is this it’ is probably the most unbeatable. It’s their album where no matter how many times I hear it I wouldn’t dare skip listening to a single song haha.

[@chrysflowers8805]

@@owenstephen8317 absolutely!!! no skip album especially with tracks like trying your luck and nyc cops

[@jccanizal6410]

it feels like this is The Stroke's In Rainbows...

[@aZeddPrattFilm]

Cool take!

[@RandomPath]

One of the few good things to come out of 2020

[@thecountleo6059]

Seconded

[@chloemcginley8275]

I’ve been a strokes fan since 2006 and this is my favorite era of theirs. The New Abnormal is a flawless record in my opinion but what makes me happiest is seeing them happy, healthy, and genuinely excited to be making music together. It’s the perfect culmination of all their previous albums and side projects, it feels simultaneously classic and modern. Ugh, just love it.

[@dgbeck]

i gotta be honest, this is my favorite Strokes album. Ode To The Mets is by far my favorite Strokes song and honestly one of my favorite songs ever. beautiful album

[@JustFloatinAlong]

"And despite not releasing a bad album since..." fucking THANK YOU! What I've been saying for years

[@ingaedfeldt2194]

there’s just something so nostalgic with the strokes but i don’t know what

[@billgerdts7043]

Watch the video, it offers some great examples ☺️

[@codizzle]

I’ve been absolutely obsessed with the album since it came out and it hasn’t grown old on me one bit. I didn’t know anything about The Strokes beforehand but when I started listening to the old records my appreciation for The New Abnormal grew even more. Truly fantastic from Julian’s vocals to the tightened up Voidz-esque moments to some super slick guitar passages. God I could go on, I love it so much. Great video as always!

[@KotaWebb]

Have you heard their album room on fire?

[@peternguyen2908]

Greatest thing to come out of 2020!

[@ssidhantt]

One of the top 5 modern rock albums, easily

[@MrShahid0072]

Whoa.. huge claim but Yeah I would agree. It's unreal how The Strokes are making such amazing music even after all this time. I can't name many bands who did that.

[@elliottstever7770]

@@MrShahid0072 red hot chili peppers

[@adhyadhyaksa]

Right up there with the likes of qotsa like clockwork and csh twin fantasy

[@elliottstever7770]

@@adhyadhyaksa what about Villians?

[@adhyadhyaksa]

@@elliottstever7770 imo villains was good but not as good as like clockwork that album is just on another level in terms of how emotionally potent it is

[@rodrisoulalalia6278]

Ever since they released the first single from the album "At the Door" I knew it would be a masterpiece. Because 'At the Door' really is an immense masterpiece that brings you to tears at how beautiful it is. And not to mention 'Not the Same Anymore' ... this album carries an incredible nostalgia that fascinates me and also reminds me of Interpol. Amazing video, like always!

[@casualsoundenjoyer]

I guess you could say that they didn’t make a *bad decision* on making this amazing album.

[@barbaraaraneda8971]

I see what you did there ✨😂

[@rahe2141]

Sir pls no

[@ahawawa12]

booo

[@rw4025]

Honestly if you'd asked me to guess which band would launch a great comeback album in 2020, I would not have guessed the Strokes. But imo this album is the best thing they've done since Is This It, great to see them back to their best. Also songs like At The Door show they haven't run out of ideas yet. Same with Gorillaz - another unexpected but very welcome return to form.

[@NotaDrDoom]

Our boys won a GRAMMY! I’m still overjoyed they got an award for their music due to how much they deserve it for making such good music for 20 damn years

[@frejahind205]

YOUR VIDS ARE SO WELL EDITED AND PUT TOGETHER AND MAKE ME FEEL SO CALM AHHH thank you

[@selenagomezfanist]

i wish people talked more about fab's side band "machinegum" more they are never mentioned even here and their one and only album is beyond beautiful

[@jakejackson3614]

Yeah I said the same it is tragicly overlooked and other than after The Voidz it is without a doubt the best side project.

[@suetotten4767]

Sooo true, fab absolutely kills it with his side projects, little joy is just amazing

[@elrabeechum5180]

Woah! I’d never even heard of machinegum before...’Atomized’ has a similar chord structure to ‘Ode to the Mets’ but more dancey, I really like it! Thanks for bringing this to my attention!!

[@tylerhathaway9525]

Not even to mention he was a band member of Little Joy.... seriously, that album is perfection, check it out. Perfect summer music, too

[@wokaroni]

I had no idead that machinegum was fab's side band, thats crazy! I've been listening to them for awhile lol

[@irem8126]

This album finally got me into Strokes. I'm obssesed with them. They're easily one of my fav bands. The new abnormal and is this it are my favorite from them but I guess I'll always have a special place for tna cause it got me into them.

[@jomariespartinez1824]

selfless is the most emotional song of the strokes tbh

[@Jakeyisdead]

I think that The New Abnormal is the best thing they've ever made and Ode to the Mets is one of if not their best song

[@frogscream4827]

I've never heard any of the strokes music before TNA, I was blown away by eternal summer.

[@aury9033]

They've got more comfortable again and that just makes me even more excited for their new album

[@emen_98]

It’s interesting that Julian made a bang called The Voidz, considering how I’ve always thought he kinda looked like Richard Hell

[@austinfj4564]

Dude what how

[@zackzallie8735]

And The Strokes had a similar style to Television especially the guitar duet style and the vocals. No way these guys wouldn't know who Television is. lol

[@badgasaurus4211]

I liked this album because it was a change from constantly doing 16th note down strokes on low gain electric guitar chords with a nostalgic lead guitar line in the back drop.

[@ChristianVazquez12]

They haven't done that since room on fire though? First Impressions, Angles, and Comedown Machine all hade more interesting guitar parts.

[@josema7679]

I’d do anything to have the same feeling I had when I first heard this album

[@Smilesallnightlong]

This lives in my top 3 favourite albums, absolutely beautiful sounds, beautiful lyrics, just a wonderful experience to listen to, beginning to end. I can not wait to see it live.

[@TryingYourLvck]

When I first heard this album I was almost in tears hearing them click so well again. Love these guys and I'm so happy this album came out when it did. It's just life.

[@cynical182]

Incredible album. kept my expectations in tact, but I was absolutely blown out of the water. (Heaven forbid) if this is the last album, I can definitely rest easy

[@iceyroo]

First Impressions of Earth is a classic and my favorite from their albums, I don’t care what anyone says!

[@johnhorson7465]

I think it's their best, most interesting album.

[@De_La_Soto]

Agree, it's a solid album and quite underrated!

[@iceyroo]

@@johnhorson7465 💯

[@ChristianVazquez12]

YES. It's tied with The New Abnormal as my favorite Strokes album.

[@s1me007]

FIOE is Julian at his songwriting peak

[@daniloivanisevic782]

Drums please, Fab! is the best moment of the album no cap

[@santiagobauza4257]

"Can we switch to the chorus right now" was great too

[@heyitsmira17]

I felt like crying at the end of the video. Listening to TNA was a very emotional experience to me because, even on the first track, I could already feel something clicking. I felt like all of the pieces were finally together. Don't get me wrong, I was never one to expect the second coming of Is This It, it wasn't even my fave of their discography, but I did always sense they all wanted to be somewhere else rather than together making music for The Strokes. It kinda hurt to see my favorite band slowly drifting away due to so many issues and walls that felt too tall to climb over. So when I heard the first notes of The Adults Are Talking, I genuinely felt like crying, because it just... sounded like them. All of them, together. After 20 years, they found a way to enjoy being together and doing stuff for the band together. Your video put all of my emotions into words, so really, thank you so much for it! It was also neatly edited, great work.

[@legacy_the_archer]

Get rick rubin to fix the killers so we can fix this rivalry

[@calvinnigh5489]

What do you mean ‘fix The Killers’?

[@johnhorson7465]

@@calvinnigh5489 Half the band doesn't want to be there anymore and the last album was the equivalent of overhead Walgreens music. (musical wallpaper, ie. boring af).

[@calvinnigh5489]

@@johnhorson7465 that album was awesome and you are wrong

[@johnhorson7465]

@@calvinnigh5489 ok man

[@nym5qu17]

they shoulda stopped making music after day and age. They've had like 2-3 good tracks per album since 2008. imploding the mirage was insanely dissapointing imo.

[@LieLikesMusic]

Great video 🤘 Haven’t listened to the new album all the way through yet. But this video tempts me.

[@dormnuke]

Do it, you won't regret it!

[@barbaraaraneda8971]

Do it! It is soooo good ✨

[@channelname5345]

Personally it is my favorite since is this it and room. Probably my most listened to album in the past year

[@rahe2141]

Lie you let me down

[@cayden_taylor]

It is 100% worth checking out all the way through. There are moments where I think it’s better than Is This It, but the album needs more time i think before anybody can decide that. The best thing they’ve put out since then at the very least

[@DavidNicolet20]

Was listening to the album when I got the notification 😂😂

[@valentin7693]

Same brooo

[@itztriggerfish5977]

I’m so glad there’s another new album on the way!

[@iTzAtaXi]

Dr Strangelove: or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb

[@omriolmer7012]

Exactly why I've clicked on the video

[@slowdancers]

that final line was killer (this is one of my favorite albums from 2020 overall, sooooooooooo good)

[@Rupak987]

That Dr. Strangelove reference is the bomb!

[@kaiisth]

I see what ya did there

[@benrosas2769]

Nice video, and hey, regarding "Bad decisions" They literally had Billy Idol as a cowriter and composer for the song. So of course it was going to sound like "Dancing with myself". Just a little trivia :)

[@oscarallen8484]

They didn’t work with Billy but had to give him a songwriting credit

[@latitude01]

First album of The Strokes that I have fully listened to, absolute favourite.

[@senorpinecone7576]

This made me remember I love the strokes

[@Zakk1996]

Been waiting for this episode for so long Middle 8, and you did not disappoint.

[@Stelios78910]

The fact that Middle 8 didn’t even get to list Johnny Cash on Rick Rubin’s production credits, really does go to show how talented the man is. Great video on my AOTY 2020.

[@barfs3147]

Or Billy Corgan

[@PRGMRav]

I hope that if something comes out of ‘The New Abnormal’….is for The Strokes not to wait another 7 years or more to put out another record.

[@joeltravis9446]

This is one of my favorite albums ever and I would say it defined my 2020 besides the other whole pandemic thing

[@altermachina]

Same man ! It brought light to 2020

[@boyhuyo1707]

Discovered this band a week or two ago through this album. Now I'm obsessed with their songs.

[@beyondthebeatpodcast1026]

Excellent....as always!

[@skinnymac2411]

As a strokes fan, I love this. Thank you for giving it the detail and attention this topic needed!

[@WeakAssFool]

My favorite album!!!

[@angelobastos3750]

This is so well done! I enjoyed every second.

[@l.1020]

The way you edit your videos is so fun, like the visuals with the music is just *chef‘s kiss

[@soopplaza4477]

This was so well put together. I felt this when the album first came out but never articulated it well in my head like this

[@onw5455]

im in love with your editing

[@guit4rguy]

Love the title of the video, great work!

[@AndrewDasilvaPLT]

You're really good at making these videos. The reflection on a bands's work is clean and deep in there at the same time.

[@koreaneinstein]

Best album of 2020, thank you for another amazing video!

[@alyssan.1388]

This is such a perfectly well-made and beautifully thought out video. Made me like an album im already obsessed with 10x more

[@piedynasty]

A great upload as always, Mr. 8.

[@loversspit]

Brilliant video, as always. I’m so in love with your work! I loved this one ❤️ Thank you for covering such a fantastic album!

[@bootymath3819]

bro this video was so well done you did their entire process leading into this amazing album perfectly

[@eduliborio8]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@PH3NOM246]

YES BEEN WAITING ON THIS VIDEO FOR OVER A YEAR

[@MrExplosionFace]

Such a snappy and beautifully made video that got its point across succinctly and clearly! Well done, sir! It's been fun watching your skills improve since your first videos!

[@DanMonio]

I'm so happy you made a video about this album. In my top 5 of all time for sure. I listen to it like once every 2 days

[@heeeyangie]

great video about one amazing album!! so glad they made it

[@l.1020]

Again, what a great video! Brb gonna listen to this album real quick🙏🏼

[@donderrhead7660]

this is an outstanding video, the visuals and editing were very skillfully put together thank you very much!

[@sofiannisaaulia]

Thanks for enriching my knowledge of the album. Love it more.

[@thestrokesjesus123]

They’ve inspired my new music! They’re the reason I stayed sane in 2020. I love the strokes so much and this video made me appreciate them even more! You nailed it!

[@evgbeetle]

Splendid comeback from hiatus from Strokes, fantastic album, but what is even more outstanding here is this video's production! And it's getting only better every time) Thank you from all the music nerds around)

[@eliahere]

Wow this was such a good video, visuals consistent and well made, 10 minutes felt like 2, loved it!

[@olyakondrashyna1079]

Finally! Thanks for that video, I was waiting for it. And I really enjoy Julian's solo career and The Voidz, it's a strange, but good music in my opinion.

[@priuskiller]

Amazing video on one of my favorite bands. Glad you did this album the justice it deserves!

[@arthurmeier2050]

Nice video man! Amazing channel, keep on rocking!

[@painfullymediocre2979]

I absolutely love this album and this video is honestly so great, thanks for putting this out!

[@Robinsekto]

I love this video! Very beautiful, I've always wanted to start a music essay channel, but I feel like I haven't listened to enough music ;-;

[@winstonlanda7731]

Amazing breakdown. Cool graphics. Informative narrative. I love The Strokes and this video just articulated why I love The New Abnormal. Thanks for this!

[@JohnJohnson-lr3ve]

Another amazing video as always! I’d love to see you talk about Interpol and/or beck one day please!

[@user-zs4jm8th3u]

I've watched a couple of your videos but I'm already in love with your channel. I can't afford anything else at the moment, so I hope watching the video from A to Z and the ads helps.

[@8thchaosemerald678]

What makes their new album so great is the little bits of inside peaks into them being goofy while recording the new songs (you can tell they’re friends again) that’s what was missing !

[@renzodimperio6023]

Grear video, i was waiting it since i found your channel XD

[@MoKabary]

One of the best albums I have ever listened to, truly amazing

[@RodrigoDiaz-tr6pt]

Spectacular video, as always.

[@nicolasriveros943]

"if you want Another "Is this It?" I'm sorry to say... This Is just the New Abnormal" I unsuscribe just so i can subscribe again for that line alone. Great work man

[@andersoncalderon750]

This was a phenomenal vid!

[@logan4x6]

My god, your videos are top-notch in quality and in concepts. I always look forward to new, intriguing videos. ... With that in mind, I would really love to see any sort of video about the band, Spoon, if you like them at all.