There is, simply put, no other band like The Strokes with their garage rock and indie anthems that have been part of music consciousness for nearly two decades.
Their simple yet melodic rhythms and lyrics are always on point and easily recognisable.
A fantastically tight band that never seems to miss a beat and have had the same lineup for all these years.
Formed in 1998, the band is composed of vocalist Julian Casablancas, lead guitarist Nick Valensi, rhythm guitarist Albert Hammond Jr, bassist Nikolai Fraiture and drummer, Fabrizio Moretti.
Honourable mentions: ‘Heart In a Cage’, ‘Hard to Explain’.
5. You Only Live Once
The Strokes’s infectious melody and guitar patterns are in full flow here with Moretti’s drumbeat setting the scene before Hammond Jr’s guitar rhythm adds the meat to the song.
Casablancas’s classical, laid back vocals are a feature of this song that drifts along at a steady pace during the verse before picking up speed in the chorus with a few odd time signatures and great licks from Valensi’s lead guitar.

4. Under Cover of Darkness
The lead guitar in this song is what stands out with some interesting notes that give it a fresh appeal.
Valensi and Hammond Jr really know how to work as a guitar pair and the combination of riffs and licks in the verse and chorus truly stand out. Moretti’s drumbeat is also steady and builds on the foundation set by the guitars. There is a happy feeling for the duration of the song with a garage rock feel that will get you dancing and jumping, for sure.

3. Someday

Once again, The Strokes has the ability to write great soulful lyrics with the backdrop of a fun and happy sounding melody. The juxtaposition between the lyrics and beat of the song makes it really stand out: who would not want to sing the earnest lyrics with such a catchy beat and rhythm! The bass line from Fraiture before the second verse is also a terrific addition and adds to the nature of the song.
Casablancass is at his best with this track as he sings ‘Someday, someday, it hurts to say but I want you to stay sometimes,’ together with the melody of the guitars.
A great love song that is quintessentially part of The Strokes.

2. Reptilia
Casablancas’s raspy vocals really come to the fore in this classic song where the guitar melody is definitely one of the band’s best.
The repetitive nature of the guitar melody really gets your attention as it is constant and almost never ending Z something that is truly great when the guitar riff before the first chorus kicks in.
The only instrument you hear is the guitar and this brings a great change of pace before the chorus starts. Valensi really shines in this track with a great little solo in the middle. It is these little musical touches and the ear for a melody that make this band so great.

1. Last Nite

‘Last Nite’ is The Strokes’s most famous song for a variety of reasons. Not only was this their breakthrough number but it is also possibly their catchiest and most melodic one.
There is nothing as odd as that guitar and drum intro before Casablancas hits you in the heart with his delivery of ‘Oh, baby, I feel so down. Oh, it turns me off. When I feel left out.
So, I turn ‘round. Oh, baby, don’t care no more.
I know this for sure. I’m walkin’ out that door.’
The topsy-turvy nature of relationships and figuring out someone’s mind and its intricacies highlight this great track.