Reality Awaits
by The Strokes

Probably the most disappointing record I will hear this year. Whoever let Julian mess around with auto-tune to this degree should be charged with a federal crime, as it makes quite a few of the tracks unlistenable.

Also most of the songs and instrumentals sound half-baked, which is incredibly frustrating when you consider it has been 6 years since the group's previous album (which IMO was their best since the debut). (Edited)

I think the whining and complaining about the autotune is a bit exhaustive and echo-chambery, there’s some good stuff on this album. The band sounds great and Julian’s vocals are still good. I don’t think the autotune is anything but a sort of personality in the way he uses it. Some usages are better than others though - I don’t love the usage on Psycho Shit.

As a big Strokes fan who has appreciated the music that we have from the band, I enjoy this album, though I think there’s still meat on the bone with what they could have explored. I think Going Shopping, Liar’s Remorse, Falling Out of Love, and Dine n Dash are fully realized songs. But I think Fruits of Conquest and Going to Babble On are a little too laborious and vibes-centric. Mellow Moon I’ve come to really enjoy thanks in large part to the instrumentals.

Ultimately, I love that the band isn’t afraid of trying new things and will dive head first into different sonic territories. I just think a few more choices could’ve been made to cut down on a couple songs or add another song to the tracklist.

81/100 and I can see it being a +/- of 6

From NowhereMan 07/26/2026 19:37 | #315423 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Not as bad as some are making out, but I think the auto tune whilst effective in parts, becomes laborious. I think I will be cherry picking songs from this rather than listening to the sum of its parts in full. (Edited)

it's just not great.

That said, I have a soft spot for albums where artists go a bit stream-of-consciousness, like a couple of drunk guys at a bar rambling existential ists. The Car by The Arctic Monkeys and the latest Geese album give me that same kind of vibe, but better.

Ironically, I think the song that mentions Fantano might actually be the best track on the album. And let's be honest, they are not exactly wrong in criticizing his tendency to over focus on the technical.

There are maybe three songs where the autotune really gets on my nerves, but aside from that I didn't mind it too much.

P.S: This isn't their worst album. (Edited)

The Strokes are no strangers to moving away from the sound of their previous record. Angles and Comedown Machine were similarly divisive when they were first released, but both albums have become more appreciated over the years. It's hard to say whether the same will happen with Reality Awaits, but the melodies on this record are ridiculously good, the riffs are sharp, and the songs make me feel alive. That’s what makes a Strokes album special to me

Favorite tracks: Dine N'Dash, Lonely in the Future, Going to Babble On (Edited)