From the get-go, ‘Going Shopping’ encapsulates a very 2010’s Strokes feel, with an outlandish guitar sound and Voidz-esque artistic autotune on Julian’s stand-out vocals. This track feels as though it belongs on 2011 album ‘Angles’, however, that’s not necessarily a negative aspect, it’s just a little unexpected after the seminal ‘The New Abnormal’ which turned the Strokes in a new direction back in 2020, with moments on the album such as ‘Selfless’ and ‘Ode To The Mets’ instilling a softer vibe with that same charm. To some this may feel like a step backwards from that, yet, this track could very well fit in seamlessly within the new album, ‘Reality Awaits’, out on June 26th.
When it comes to lyricism, Julian Casablancas has always been diverse and witty. This song is certainly on the more lighthearted side with lyrics such as “I wanna be a 7-foot zombie/ The pay is low, but I gotta do somethin” and “I wanna be a 7-foot starfish/ Above the law, a political puppet” in the prechoruses, surprisingly, it works.
This is a radiant return to the Strokes that has faced criticism and received praise from die-hard fans, yet I believe this track will go down as one of their most refreshing and ingenious lead singles, destined to light up a festival crowd under the scorching sun. The track was played for the first time recently at a gig in San Francisco with Casablancas exclaiming, “It’s already out there, right? New song”, backed by the smiling faces of the remaining members eager to play some fresh material, many fans predicting possibly some more new music performed at Coachella next weekend, a performance that UK audiences will most-likely cherish through a grainy Instagram live.
It may have taken them six years, but your favourite New York indie-rock trailblazers are back and better than ever.
Amy Porter
Image: ‘Going Shopping’ Official Single Cover
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