The trailer for the lead Stroke’s solo debut Phrazes For The Young was soundtracked with widescreen, cinematic synth pop, his first on-camera interview in years boasted quotes about harnessing “the power and seriousness of classical music” while “captur(ing) the catchiness of modern music,” and with last night’s BBC debut of lead single “11th Dimension,” we get to hear how all those phrazes shake out. Casablancas performed this at his Tokyo show last month, it’s the one with the “Rebel Rebel”-moved-to-keyboard chord progression, the electronic beats, the instantly memorable chorus. Criss-crossing countermelodies creep into each section, the bridge flips from goofy staccato keys to chunky gated guitars, the vocals are mixed crisply and down the middle. Think of it as a bizzaro Strokes song where each element is arranged for an electronic pop band, flush with ideas without losing its forward thrust. Maybe you could say the countermelody movement is a little classical, but whatever the phraze, “11th Dimension” is classically catchy.
It’s also at MySpace in case that stream goes down.
Phrazes For The Young is out 10/19 in the UK, and 10/20 in the US via Cult/RCA. Still waiting on those US tour dates.
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just like a different Casablanca!
Not bad. It’s got that tingey of trance-y Strokes and it’s really just nice to hear his voice again.
I’m embarrassed for him. This is bad
Fuck you asshole.
This will probably be the one and only time I use the word “rad” to describe how good a song sounds.
I’m pretty sure this is total bullshit.
im instantly in love with this. so much fun! can’t wait to hear more. i hope the whole album is solid.
FTW
magnetic fields
this is so awesome
Haters: have you no sense of melody? Do 80s synths not illuminate your soul like neon laser beams? Does brilliant pop music not make you happy? God help your poor souls…
I loved the sound in the trailer and love this – a nice departure and seems to suit him well – i’m hoping once this is released and people enjoy it for a time, a proper new strokes will then be upon us.
Yeah, I think this is definitely something I can get in to, pretty cool
Man, I’ve missed Julian. This is a lot better than I was expecting. I’m pretty pumped to hear the whole album.
you know… i had a feeling this was gonna be awesome
Stevie Nicks “Stand Back”
can the strokes just get back together, make an album, and make the world a happy place again?
i just broke my chair
This is the happiest thing I’ve ever heard. I MUST RAVE NOW.
It’s not bad, but I’m starting to get all 80′s-out.
Can someone wake me up when the 80′s are over and we’ve all deicded to re-embrace the sounds of New Jack Swing?
No Diggity.
“forgive them even if they are not sorry” “were so quick to point out our own flaws in others” … interesting lyrics in the chorus. and of course it sounds great. i like.
New Order “Bizarre Love Triangle.”
this instantly made me smile. thank you julian
Love it.
dig it, better than i was epxecting.
just played this through a real stereo and it’s pretty awesome
oh my god this is incredible.
this reminds me of “Jump” by Van Halen. The opening synth chords that is..
pretty solid though
bruce springsteen called, and he wants the synth riff from “glory days” back.
BEST SONG EVER TO GIVE ME A SEIZURE AND BONER JUST BY LISTENING TO IT
Julian is an unbelievable song writer. But this sounds a bit lazy to me. I love Julian, but from what I’ve heard so far…boring is for ignoring.
Albert Hammond Jr. is in rehab
sounds like cocaine
Julian’s songwriting skills are truly amazing. This is a perfect pop song.
it makes me anxious for his album now.
jesus, if this is only his solo work, I can’t imagine what the 4th Strokes album will be like.
yea this looks like it could be the best album of 2009. i’m not kidding this sounds awesome. cant wait for new strokes album.
First time I heard it, last week: Okay.
Second time, a few days later: Pretty dang good.
Third time, today: Freaking awesome.
This song is great. So upbeat, so damn catchy. Love his vocal melody, especially in the verses. And those synths…!
booooooring.
Aweosome!!!
I just love it
I was waitingso long to hear something of this new album and i’m so happy for the results!
I like the song. But, I just realized what the chord progression rips off…Supergrass’ Pumpin on the Stereo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXL_Xb0zT5g
Look guys we get it it’s a simple chord progression. Can we all just agree that Joe Satriani wrote it and be done
Sounds like a Killers B-side. Very disappointing.
its different…. i like it
I adore this. It took me a while to place it, but the riff reminds me of Don’t You Want Me by Human League. There are traces of Madonna’s Into the Groove there too.
DO NOT WANT.
Why has Julian gone all 80s Pop on me? I mean First Impressions of Earth was bad, this is TERRIBLE!
Q: How many fat dudes does it take to rip off your parents’ record collection?
A: Julian Casablancas.
Where are these “new ideas?” He is ripping off the 80′s…
He’s creepy…
Huh? Did you just call Julian creepy?
yes, i too would like some clarification on that one.
“i just nod, i’ve never been too good at shaking hands”
“drop your guard, you don’t have to be smiling all the time”
nothing’s changed lyrically, or mellidocally with Julian except the instruments..? If your an actual fan of “good” music, let alone Julian Casablancas’ music, than why post negative comments?
mellidocally? Funniest utter failure at spelling a word I’ve ever read.
Um, why can’t people review the music posted on this website!?! What’s your deal?!
Can’t this gy already start working at the modeling agency already…?
This is Beautiful. I love it so much.
im just here 2 say that the latest comments should appear on the top of the page
not loving it, nope not much at all.
the little girl track with sparklehorse & d. Mouse was alot more of what I wanted to hear JC singing
This is good but it sounds a lot like “you only live once”.
This is good. I love the way he uses countermelody, he knws is way around a pop song. The Strokes were no fluke, can’t wait til they come back. They fricken launched this decade and deserve the credit.
interesting sounds but basically just strokes guitar riffs and progressions on synths.
Why so serious Julian? Go out and have some fun! Find a Megapuss of your own!
WIN
“This is good. I love the way he uses countermelody, he knws is way around a pop song. The Strokes were no fluke, can’t wait til they come back. They fricken launched this decade and deserve the credit.” AMEN. And yes, guitar countermelody rules on this song!
Love it. Beautiful upbeat summer sound.
This fails and he should have saved the lyrics for The Strokes
Sounds like he’s singing over a New Order throw away track.
I’m pretty excited. This is a good song but I hope the album has better. Gotta love this 80s comeback!
I’m all about blissful synthy pop songs but he could have at least tried to be creative with it.
I wrote the same song on my boyfriend’s programmable keyboard in our basement last night…
This sounds like Super Mario Bros…
This would be better with some bass…
Casablanca seems like he’s turned into Santogold
Julian;this is bad, BUT we still love ya!!
Sounds groo-vay!
At least it’sbetter than “Michael,Michael” by Ron Artest.
I’ve had this on non-stop since the first time I heard it. Excellennnnt.
Sounds like a drive down the promenade with the top down and all the free time in the world… I’m only disappointed by the fade out (not a fan of)
Yeah yeah, nice explanation, the cinematic synth pop yada yada = the result is boring anyway.
genius. bottom line.
it’s called evolution. catch up.
Mr Casablancas,
Please don’t refer to my mind-blowingly awesome, literally beyond-infinity existence to title a song that is an echo from 1984. It makes both of us look bad.
Plus the song kind of sucks.
Thank you,
The Real 11th Dimension
Is anyone else gonna say it? The intro blatantly “borrows” from New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle,” and than the main synth line is the EXACT riff from David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel.” That being said, I like this song alot. But come one Julian, you’re better than that. And nobody better give me that “Post-Modern pastiche” argument either, because that’s a lame excuse for lazy songwriting.
Can’t wait for the St. Etienne /Fred Falke/Van She mixes….;)
2:22 ii’ve got music coming out of my ass and feeding gizzards?
Where the eff is the leak. It’s 2 weeks away
This is a fun.
Oh shit. I worship Jules, and I cannot get into this song. What if this is the best thing on this album? I’ll die. And what happened to his US tour?
I retract my previous statement. This song is now on 24/7 on my phone. I guess somedays I just miss the young, screamy, drunken Julian. But he’s grown up & so should I.
i cant stop listening to 11th Dimension!
i love his new work
so different from the strokes.
jules n___n
Jean Genie
We want the Strokes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We want the Strokes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We want the Strokes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dauphine