The Strokes
“Going Shopping”
Release Date: April 7, 2026
Reality Awaits (RCA Records)
Release Date: June 26, 2026
By Scott Deckman
Well, the Strokes released a single ahead of album number seven. The last one won a Grammy, but I’m not sure why (Who were they up against, Nickelback?). The one before it, Comedown Machine, took a while to unfold the goods, but they were there. “Going Shopping” is more in the head-scratch category. Everyone frets about the AutoTune, but they should be talking about the weak hooks and the fact that the band seems to be stuck in new wave auto drive. I guess it’s fair to say they’ve always been, to some extent. The guitars are recognizably Strokes, so there’s that, and after a few listens, the melody gets stuck in your head, but so do commercials. The effortless garage pop of the early years, however, is nowhere to be seen. I know. I get what I deserve for liking the Strokes.
