The Strokes

Under Cover of Darkness

RCA

Released: Wednesday 9 February 2011

This is the first song to be released from The Strokes' upcoming fourth album; and one that suggests it'll be (largely) more of the same from everyone's favourite overpriveleged street-punks. Nice Television-inspired riffing gives way to a nice Television-inspired verse, which in turn gives way to a lazy bridge and a slightly underwhelming chorus. There's definately something too busy about the chorus, which is a shame seeing as dynamics is the one thing the band usually nails without trying. So half of this is classic Strokes, half sounds like The Walkmen, the band that Pitchfork apologetically slip in to every end of year list. Imagine The Walkmen being your guilty pleasure. That's like treating yourself with a can of Diet Coke.

You can download this in return for your email address at thestrokes.com for another day or so.