The New Abnormal
by The Strokes
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Apr 10, 2020
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 492 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 459 out of 492
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 492
  3. Negative: 16 out of 492
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  1. cornpudding
    Aug 25, 2023
    10
    This is one of the greatest complete, end to end albums I have ever heard. I cannot count how many times I have listened to it. With cohesive musical themes throughout. Emotional and passionate vocals. Really interesting lyrics that are not what you expect, with various twists and turns. Super tight, excellent performance from the entire band. Previously I liked a few songs here andThis is one of the greatest complete, end to end albums I have ever heard. I cannot count how many times I have listened to it. With cohesive musical themes throughout. Emotional and passionate vocals. Really interesting lyrics that are not what you expect, with various twists and turns. Super tight, excellent performance from the entire band. Previously I liked a few songs here and there from the Strokes, but found it hard to get through an entire album. The New Abnormal is another level for me. It is beautiful and moving.… Expand
  2. danielsimoes
    Aug 4, 2023
    10
    I'm beginning to write this review by saying: This album is the Strokes finest to this date, way better than 'Is This It' (2001). Best production i've ever seen in a Strokes record. I've tried to unlike some of the songs, but i couldn't find one, i liked all the songs in it. Personally, 'The Adults are Talking' is the all time greatest song ever recorded by them (and one of the best songsI'm beginning to write this review by saying: This album is the Strokes finest to this date, way better than 'Is This It' (2001). Best production i've ever seen in a Strokes record. I've tried to unlike some of the songs, but i couldn't find one, i liked all the songs in it. Personally, 'The Adults are Talking' is the all time greatest song ever recorded by them (and one of the best songs of 2020), honorable mentions to 'Ode to the Mets', 'Eternal Summer', 'Selfless' and 'At the Door'. This was a well deserved Grammy...… Expand
  3. frightopia
    Apr 10, 2023
    9
    This has to be the band's best album. I'm extremely torn on whether it should be a 9 or a 10.
  4. darraghH15
    Oct 30, 2022
    10
    These critics don't have a clue. This is by far one of the best Strokes projects to date. Instrumentation, vocals, lyrics it has it all. One of my favourite albums of all time.
  5. benjsteger
    Aug 17, 2022
    9
    one of the best debuts of all time ffffhdjdjdjdkdkkdkdkfdkkfkfkfkkfkfkfkfkfd
  6. fahim98
    Jun 14, 2022
    9
    Some of the songs are a grower. However, still a beautiful album by the legendary rock and roll act. Highlights: "Ode to the Mets", "Why Are Sundays So Depressing", "The Adults are Talking".
  7. karolg11
    Apr 17, 2022
    9
    I love this album so much, honestly it’s not my favorite of them, but I know it’s a masterpiece. every song has this catchy thing that makes you wanna listen this album all day. the lyrics are always on point. another great album from the best band of indie.
  8. Nept1
    Mar 28, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. El disco se siente como algo bastante familiar a la vez que nuevo, este disco realmente fue lo que como buen fanático de The Strokes realmente necesitabamos, guitarras y solos llenos de energía acompañados del ritmo y emoción que transmiten el bajo y batería.… Expand
  9. 7bbbbbbb
    Nov 16, 2021
    10
    This is the first time that i really loved every song on a single album, every song is just so unique and great, congrats to the Strokes, and hopefully we'll see another masterpiece in the future.
  10. Spirituallyblue
    Jul 31, 2021
    10
    Love love LOVED. One of the best albums I’ve ever heard, second best the strokes record. It’s just so damn good
  11. Leonard1251
    May 3, 2020
    10
    El mejor album de The Strokes desde el lanzamiento del Is This It, cada canción es emocionante y tiene su propia escencia Julian Casablancas transmite un sentimiento melancólico en todo el album
  12. euteachofalsa
    Apr 5, 2021
    10
    It’s utterly disgusting that an album as GREAT as this has a 75 score. Wtf? Its their best album to date. smh
  13. johnmessaris54
    Apr 2, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I think is a very good album from a big rock band...Finally a very good album this year....… Expand
  14. afonsopp
    Mar 22, 2021
    9
    This album is what summer sounds like. One year later and i can say this was one of the most positive things that happened to me in the most recent times.
  15. Theedmondxp
    Mar 14, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Simplemente su mejor álbum desde la this It y Room on fire, un álbum entretenido, que da una nueva y renovada imagen a la banda… Expand
  16. fumbuckles
    Jan 25, 2021
    9
    The 7 year wait was definitely worth it with this one. so far the strokes haven't released a bad album but the last 3 were just overshadowed by Is This It and Room on Fire, but The New Abnormal steps out of this shadow and becomes it's own thing. Like almost all other Strokes albums, there aren't any bad songs just some that are good and some that are absolute masterpieces; and in thisThe 7 year wait was definitely worth it with this one. so far the strokes haven't released a bad album but the last 3 were just overshadowed by Is This It and Room on Fire, but The New Abnormal steps out of this shadow and becomes it's own thing. Like almost all other Strokes albums, there aren't any bad songs just some that are good and some that are absolute masterpieces; and in this one, at the door, the adults are talking, ode to the mets and selfless are the masterpieces in my opinion. easily one of the best albums of 2020. I can come back to it as much as I want and it would still blows my mind.… Expand
  17. AMHDK
    Dec 20, 2020
    8
    The Strokes delivers a solid album, that really shows their capacity to stay relevant after all these years. The first 4 songs on the album are all perfect but the album lacks a bit in the end.
  18. wevertonaguiiar
    Dec 11, 2020
    9
    Facilmente um dos melhores álbuns do ano. Sou um grande fã do Strokes e consegui me divertir muito ouvindo um álbum que soa diferente do que se conhece como Strokes mas que mesmo assim mantém a essência e o modo de composição da banda.
  19. vitortfv
    Dec 5, 2020
    7
    The Adults Are Talking - 7/10
    Selfless - 6,5/10
    Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus - 8,5/10
    Bad Decisions - 7/10
    Eternal Summer - 8/10
    At the Door - 7/10
    Why Are Sundays So Depressing - 7,5/10
    Not the Same Anymore - 7,5/10
    Ode to the Mets - 7,5/10
  20. Ploaf
    Dec 1, 2020
    10
    It's a top tier album. The only song that I found closest to being bad was Brooklyn bridge to Chorus, but even still I didn't dislike it. The album certainly is one of their oddest albums to date and that's one of it's many charms, but also what might push people away. Julian's singing is absolutely amazing across the whole album, and his falsetto is beutiful.
    I love that the Strokes    It's a top tier album. The only song that I found closest to being bad was Brooklyn bridge to Chorus, but even still I didn't dislike it. The album certainly is one of their oddest albums to date and that's one of it's many charms, but also what might push people away. Julian's singing is absolutely amazing across the whole album, and his falsetto is beutiful.
    I love that the Strokes refused to define themselves by a single style and sound, but continue to experiment and keep reinventing their sound, and this album shows that the most. The fact of the matter is, that this is an underrated banger from start to finish and I recommend that everyone at least give it a try.    … Expand
  21. CrobrJator
    Nov 27, 2020
    10
    I created a metacritic account just so I could leave a review for this album. I love it so much. It's my second favourite Strokes album after Is This It. I've listened to it at least 100 times and it still leaves me finding new things. It's worth listening to it on really good headphones. The production on it is amazing!
  22. Fenderleiria
    Oct 2, 2020
    10
    Pretty good for 2020 probably my favourite album of the year. Gets better on every listening.
  23. Dizo
    Sep 30, 2020
    10
    The new abnormal shows how important is to have the time you need, and work at your own pace. You can see that after a few years strokes came out with this masterpiece exactly as they wanted in my opinion. Great Album from a great band
  24. AlejoEscobar
    Sep 18, 2020
    9
    La evolución musical de los integrantes es notoria, mucha atención al detalle, gracias a the strokes!
  25. Casablan
    Sep 3, 2020
    10
    Un álbum buenísimo que recoge todo el contenido en avance de los anteriores. Una mezcla buenísima llena de ingenio y reinvención sin perder la esencia de la banda.
  26. jfpeoxa
    Sep 1, 2020
    10
    Nostalgico y reflexivo de principio a fin, hace mucho que no sentia tanta conexion con un album
  27. EmilianoxMQ
    Jul 27, 2020
    9
    Amazingly surprised!

    It mix some old sounds but in a good way.

    Also, the vibe is so deep and the 80's, 2000's music feeling is nice.
  28. SL36
    Jul 15, 2020
    9
    Everything you want a Strokes album to be. Best since Room on Fire. Finally a band who delivers instead of shodily trying to reinvent themselves every album only to produce a water down version of what made them beloved in the first place.
  29. RodriPuertas
    Jul 7, 2020
    10
    Una reinvención de los Strokes, saliendose de los estandares a los que habían sido lanzados, por los medios y por presión de los fans, que solo adoran la mítica voz rasposa a la que tiñeron de "salvador del rock".
    Intentaron algo diferente, les salio muy bien, los salvadores del rock, los nuevos salvadores del indie rock.
    Se extraño un poco el bajo en las canciones de tiempo lento, aun    Una reinvención de los Strokes, saliendose de los estandares a los que habían sido lanzados, por los medios y por presión de los fans, que solo adoran la mítica voz rasposa a la que tiñeron de "salvador del rock".
    Intentaron algo diferente, les salio muy bien, los salvadores del rock, los nuevos salvadores del indie rock.
    Se extraño un poco el bajo en las canciones de tiempo lento, aun así las que poseen un poco mas de producción electrónica, aunque mal acusados de maquinizacion de su música, me parecen un espectáculo impresionante, es un deleite escuchar At the Door, una nueva obra maestra.    … Expand
  30. JohniBlanca
    Jun 29, 2020
    10
    Perfect. Theyre come Back!! Its the most excitant album in many years. 10/10
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Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Variety
    May 1, 2020
    86
    The band’s bluntest and most contagious — yet experimental — work.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    Apr 27, 2020
    50
    Mostly, they passively experiment with synth sounds as they did on Angles and Comedown Machine. At one point, they jack the melody to "Dancing With Myself". Sadly, the most intriguing parts of the record are the numerous times when Casablancas comments on the piss-poor songwriting in realtime.
    Read full review
  3. No Ripcord
    Apr 22, 2020
    60
    On their latest album, The New Abnormal, The Strokes have mirrored the career of Beck, offering a mimetic approximation of music they think people want, instead of music generated from their raw, inner demons or whatever fueled them on Is This It.
    Read full review
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