The Strokes Already Back in the Studio

Wendy Redfern, Redferns

Given the trials and tribulations that resulted in the delay of the Strokes fourth album, 'Angles,' it's somewhat surprising to find their members already willing to confine themselves in the studio with each other so soon after its release.

Yet according to Nikolai Fraiture that's exactly what's happened. The NME reports that the bassist wrote on his Twitter account on Monday, April 25, "super excited to go in to the studio today and work on some new ideas! I'll keep you posted," later confirming, "for the Strokes, of course!"

'Angles' was released five years on from third LP, 'First Impressions of Earth,' after lead singer Julian Casablancas separated from the rest of the band and contributed most of his vocal parts via email. It reached Nos. three and four in the UK and US Charts respectively, but both Casablancas and guitarist Nick Valensi sounded less than enamoured with their efforts. The latter told Pitchfork that he felt the group "had a much better album" in them, with Casablancas also commenting that "there's a bunch of stuff [on the record] I wouldn't have done."

Such evident tensions suggest that studio sessions may be fractious. Casablancas has told Shortlist that the band were "going to start working on stuff as soon as possible," the group perhaps keen to put 'Angles' to bed early given their apparent reservations.

The Strokes return to the UK to play T In The Park (July 8-10) and Reading & Leeds Festivals (Aug. 26-28).

Watch the video for the Strokes' 'Under Cover of Darkness'