The solo debut of The Strokes' Julian Casablancas is a surprisingly accessible and likeable number. Essentially a pop album, the singer throws dashes of indietronica, frantic rock and even hints of gospel into the mix. A successful endeavour, all in all.
The announcement of a Julian Casablancas solo album was met with both trepidation and excitement by ardent Strokes fans. Could their beloved frontman survive without the backing of his uber-cool New Yorkers? His recent collaboration with Santigold and Pharrell Williams for a Converse ad campaign would suggest not. Then again, could the project force him into new territory, where he would excel without the boundaries enforced by a band?
Perhaps surprisingly, then, Casablancas has done exceedingly well with 'Phrazes for the Young'. Instead of sounding like an album of songs written to be played by The Strokes, the singer has put his own mark on these eight tracks, utilising styles previously untapped by his band. Opening track 'Out of the Blue' sets the pace nicely, and although there are parallels to be drawn with the chugging lo-fi guitar riff, its chorus is as melodic as a pop song should be.
And essentially, that's what 'Phrazes for the Young' is: a pop album. Just listen to '80s synth-fest '11th Dimension', or jerky gut-punch 'Left Right in the Dark' for tunes to get your feet moving. Elsewhere, dabblings in glitchy indietronica (the dark, frantic 'River of Brakelights') and a song that sounds like a Rufus Wainwright remix ('Ludlow Street') are enough to hold interest for 90% of the album's duration. Indeed, it's only the generic, karaoke-like 'Glass' that fails to make an impact.
Plenty to get excited about here; if you're a Strokes fan, it whets the appetite for their forthcoming fourth album. If you're anti-leather jackets/converse/anything hipster-related, you may just be pleasantly surprised.
