‘Is This It’: 25 Years Later
“I want to be one of those people, be they writers, poets, musicians, who leaves clues for the next generation. The really good people leave clues that help feed the human race. That’s my aspiration.” —Julian Casablancas, The Observer, 2001
The Strokes backstage, Anthony PIdgeon/Redferns.
In 2001, The Strokes released their first full-length album, Is This It. Now cemented as a pillar of modern alternative rock, the band has changed the genre as we know it, as even 25 years later, their influence is everywhere. The band comprises Julian Casablancas (vocals), Nick Valensi (guitar), Albert Hammond Jr. (guitar), Nikolai Fraiture (bass), and Fabrizio Moretti (drums).
The band initially struggled to find its footing, despite agreeing to solely rehearse for the first year, then perform. One of their biggest obstacles was creating demos, as they were against the traditional way of recording music at the time. It was only when their future producer, Gordon Raphael, recorded the band in the same room that things started to click. He discussed this artistic freedom with Audio Media International, that Casablancas’ desire to deviate from the norm is what brought Raphael to set up eight microphones in his small New York City studio and let the boys feel the music.
What was once a common practice of recording all members in the same room had become relatively obsolete at this time in the music industry, making The Strokes sound unique to modern audiences yet familiar to older ones as there was a more cohesive and collective sound. Their demos were sent to England, where they gained a cult following before they were even signed by a record label.
The Strokes on the roof of the Chelsea Hotel, Jake Chessum.
“Is This It” is an ode to American youth culture of the early 2000s. The title track starts and ends with the same verse, which begins with the lines “Can’t you see I’m tryin’? / I don’t even like it.” The song switches between addressing a romantic partner and questioning the world itself, as Casablancas examines his relationship with romance and expresses his feelings of frustration and confusion at the current state of his life.
One of their singles, “Someday,” confronts the double-edged truth of youth, which is that one day you will miss this time period that seems so uncertain: “In many ways, they’ll miss the good old days, / Someday, someday.” And now, 25 years later, these lyrics are a fitting tribute to nostalgia, as we look back at an iconic album that had foreseen how these moments would be remembered as a time to be missed.
The Strokes have been releasing full-length albums and performing at festivals for a quarter of a century, and more recently, they’ve been hinting at creating new tracks for a potential seventh album — Hammond Jr. stated to NME that tracks had been recorded in 2023 while in Costa Rica, but no official confirmation has been released.
A 25-year anniversary is no small feat, especially considering how respected The Strokes still are to critics and audiences alike. After an amazing comeback in 2020 with their sixth studio album, The New Abnormal, we can only hope their next record will continue to expand what we know and expect of the band. Here’s to honoring the good old days.
Watch the official video for “Someday” on YouTube.
