Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

The Strokes release first new EP in years, contemplate the internet

the strokes release first new single in years version 1464259441 albert hammond jr 013
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Early-2000s indie rock gods The Strokes blessed fans with their first new set of songs in three years Thursday, the first order of business from frontman Julian Casablancas as he launched his new radio show on Sirius’ XMU channel. The new EP can be heard on Spotify right at this very moment.

The batch of new material features rollicking guitar layering and driving beats, and is called called Future Present Past EPContaining three songs and one Fabio Moretti-crafted remix, the new EP is an excellent return to form for the band, who have been on-again, off-again for years.

In addition to the new EP, the band released a quirky video interview from the studio, which shows them talking about what it would be like to play the Super Bowl halftime show, how they want to play basketball with President Barack Obama, their faith in the internet, and more. It’s a funny little addition to the release that longtime fans of the famously tongue-in-cheek bandmates should enjoy thoroughly.

A Conversation With The Strokes

Fans have known for some time that new music from The Strokes would likely hit their ears this year, after rumors of the band recording in Mexico first surfaced last summer. More recently, a video was displayed on buildings in New York and London, with the words Future Present Past prominently displayed — a not-so-subtle advertisement that led many to believe new sounds were imminent.

The new EP is a welcome throwback for longtime listeners, as the band haven’t released a new compilation of songs since 2013’s Comedown Machine — a record that didn’t see a corresponding tour. This year, they are scheduled to play at New York’s popular summer festival Governor’s Ball on June 3, in addition to a few other headlining dates this festival season.

The band will likely play all three of their new songs (though probably not the remix) live during their limited summer dates, but no EP-release tour has been announced. The new EP was originally slated to hit stores and the internet on June 3, but it appears to have been posted early to the Swedish streaming service — much to the delight of our ears.

Pre-Order Future Present Past EP on iTunes

Updated on 05-26-16 by Parker Hall: Updated to reflect the fact that the EP is now available on Spotify.

Parker Hall
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Parker Hall is a writer and musician from Portland, OR. He is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin…
Best Cyber Monday Deals 2022: Laptops, TVs, AirPods, and more
Best Cyber Monday Deals 2022

Cyber Week is here! With some truly epic deals out there, this is the best time of year to buy a new tech gadget. If you slept through the Black Friday sales, then the Cyber Monday sales, you better grab what you need during this week of slowly diminishing deals. From tablets to air fryers, laptops to smartwatches, we've rounded up the best Cyber Monday deals across a range of categories, and you'll find them all below.
Cyber Monday sales: Quick links

Amazon: Huge discounts on laptops, Echo devices, and tablets
Best Buy: Your destination for sales on super-sized TVs
Dell: Unbeatable discounts on gaming laptops, monitors, and more
Gamestop: Cheap video games, console accessories and monitors
HP: Gaming PCs, laptops, monitors, and printers from $129
Kohl's: Home decor, clothing and kitchen appliance steals
Lowe’s: Up to 60% off appliances like refrigerators and decor
Staples: Save big on laptops, home office hardware and supplies
Target: Tons of cheap kitchen appliances and stocking-fillers
Walmart: Great for laptops, and is restocking PS5 and Xbox Series X

Read more
What is hi-res audio, and how can you experience it right now?
Dlyan Wireless Headphones

High-resolution audio, hi-res audio, or even HD audio -- whatever you decide to call it (for the record, the industry prefers "hi-res audio"), it's a catch-all term that describes digital audio that goes above and beyond the level of sound quality you can expect from a garden-variety MP3 file and even CDs. It was once strictly the domain of audiophiles, but now that major streaming music services like Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, and Qobuz have embraced it, almost everyone can take advantage of what hi-res has to offer.

But what exactly is hi-res audio? What equipment do you need to listen to it? Where can you download or stream it? And does it actually sound better? We've got the answers.
What does the term 'hi-res audio' mean?

Read more
How to download music from Spotify for offline listening
How to download music and podcasts from Spotify: The downloads folder.

If you're a Spotify Premium user paying that premium Spotify fee, chances are you've taken at least some time curating playlists, liking songs, and using the platform's easy-to-use (and recently revamped) user interface to discover new and old music.

But sometimes all that music or your favorite podcasts aren't available if you find yourself without an internet connection to stream them from — like on a long plane ride or weekend camping trip in the sticks. That's where Spotify's offline listening feature comes in handy, allowing you to download playlists, albums, and podcasts through its desktop and mobile apps so you can still rock out while you're off the grid.

Read more