The Strokes songs defined New York garage rock revival, mixing tight guitar interplay with effortless cool. This guide ranks the 20 best tracks across every era, from the 2001 debut to the Rick Rubin-produced comeback. Listening on a good pair of headphones reveals how much detail hides inside those deliberately rough mixes.
Last Nite
Last Nite, from the 2001 debut Is This It, remains the band’s signature song. Producer Gordon Raphael gave Julian Casablancas a smoky, distorted vocal, while the bright, mid-tempo guitar riff drives everything forward. The rhythm section locks in so tightly that the track feels both loose and precise. Few songs capture the early 2000s rock revival this perfectly.
Reptilia
Reptilia opens Room on Fire’s second half with one of the most recognizable bass lines in modern rock. Nikolai Fraiture’s pulsing groove sets the stage for Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr. to trade sharp, stabbing guitar lines. Casablancas delivers an urgent vocal that builds toward a ferocious chorus. Live, this song regularly turns festival crowds into a single jumping mass.
Someday
Someday is the most wistful moment on Is This It. Chiming guitars and a gentle shuffle beat give the track a sunny, nostalgic glow, while the lyrics reflect on growing up and moving forward. The melody is simple enough to hum after one listen. It works beautifully on a late-night drive.
Hard to Explain
Hard to Explain is famous for its heavily compressed drum sound, which Fabrizio Moretti’s tight playing makes almost mechanical. Casablancas sings through a filtered, lo-fi vocal effect that became a trademark of the album. The result is a restless, hypnotic track that sounds nothing like polished radio rock. That sonic choice made the song unforgettable.
The Modern Age
The Modern Age was the track that introduced the band on their 2001 debut EP through Rough Trade, before landing on Is This It. Driving guitars and a crashing rhythm give it raw, youthful energy. The production keeps the sound dry and immediate, almost like a live rehearsal captured on tape. It is the perfect starting point for new listeners.
12:51
12:51 arrived on Room on Fire with a guitar line that sounds almost like a synthesizer. Valensi and Hammond Jr. layer clean, melodic patterns over a pulsing beat, giving the song a slick, futuristic edge. Casablancas sings with a cool detachment that fits the late-night mood. It showed that the band could evolve without losing identity.
Under Cover of Darkness
Under Cover of Darkness served as the lead single for Angles in 2011, produced by Joe Chiccarelli with the band. After a long gap, the song proved that the interlocking guitar magic was still intact. The chorus soars with a bright, melodic hook, while the verses keep the casual swagger fans love. It stands as one of the strongest comeback singles of the era.
Juicebox
Juicebox, from First Impressions of Earth and produced by David Kahne, opens with a menacing, rumbling bass riff. The track then explodes into a heavier, more aggressive sound than earlier material. Casablancas shouts and snarls over thick, overdriven guitars. On speakers at full volume, the low end hits hard.
Taken for a Fool
Taken for a Fool is the most melodic highlight of Angles, with layered guitars that shimmer across the chorus. The synth-tinged texture adds a subtle new wave flavor. Casablancas sings with real emotional urgency, reflecting on betrayal and confusion. The arrangement is dense yet always clear.
Call It Fate, Call It Karma
Call It Fate, Call It Karma closes Comedown Machine with an unexpected lounge-jazz atmosphere. Soft brushed rhythms and a vintage crooner delivery make it the most unusual track in the catalog. It proves the band is willing to experiment far outside the guitar rock formula. For listeners who enjoy deep cuts, this one rewards repeat plays.
Under Control
Under Control is the tender ballad of Room on Fire. Casablancas sings with a rare vulnerability, backed by slow, glowing guitars that swell gently around the chorus. The restrained arrangement lets every note breathe. It is a reminder that the band can be just as powerful when quiet.
Barely Legal
Barely Legal showcases the raw chemistry of Is This It at its most casual. A laid-back groove supports a lazy, charming vocal, while the guitars interlock in a deceptively simple pattern. The mix feels like a rehearsal room recording, and that is part of its charm. Small earbuds are perfect for catching its subtle guitar details on a commute.
New York City Cops
New York City Cops appeared on the original international release of Is This It, but it was removed from the US edition after the September 11 attacks and replaced by When It Started. The song is a rapid, punchy burst of attitude with a chugging guitar riff. Its short length and sharp hook make it a fan favorite. The history behind it adds real weight to the listening experience.
Trying Your Luck
Trying Your Luck slows the tempo and leans into a dreamy, melancholic mood. Clean guitars ring out over a soft rhythm, while Casablancas sings with a tired, reflective tone. The song captures the quieter side of the debut album. It is a hidden gem for fans who want something gentler.
Soma
Soma is widely read as a nod to the drug in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. The song glides on a loose, swaggering groove, and the guitars slide in and out with effortless style. Casablancas sounds bored and brilliant at once. The track perfectly captures downtown New York cool.
Selfless
Selfless, from The New Abnormal in 2020, is the most romantic ballad the band has recorded. Rick Rubin’s production gives the song a warm, spacious feel, and Casablancas reaches into a soft, aching falsetto. Gentle guitar arpeggios and a slow rhythm create a dreamy sway. Few Strokes songs feel this emotionally open.
The Adults Are Talking
The Adults Are Talking opens The New Abnormal with sharp, twisting guitar lines from Valensi and Hammond Jr. A driving rhythm and a cool, detached vocal give the song a modern edge. The lyrics poke at authority and generational gaps. It proved that the band could still sound urgent two decades after forming.
Bad Decisions
Bad Decisions is a bright, punchy single that interpolates Billy Idol’s Dancing With Myself, with Idol and Tony James credited as co-writers. The upbeat energy and singalong chorus make it one of the most fun moments on The New Abnormal. Casablancas sounds playful and energized. It works as a perfect summer playlist track.
Ode to the Mets
Ode to the Mets closes The New Abnormal with a slow, cinematic build. The song starts quietly, then grows into an emotional, sweeping finale with big drums and soaring guitars. Casablancas sings about fading dreams with real heartfelt weight. It is a fitting end to a Grammy-winning comeback album.
One Way Trigger
One Way Trigger was the lead single for Comedown Machine in 2013, and its bouncy synth-like guitar hook sparked plenty of debate. Casablancas sings in a high falsetto over a bright, new wave rhythm. Many listeners compared the melody to 1980s synth pop. Whether loved or questioned, it showed the band’s willingness to take creative risks.
Together, these tracks show how the band moved from raw garage rock to polished, adventurous songwriting. For more guides like this one, browse the full songs category and keep exploring new favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular Strokes song?
Last Nite is generally considered the most popular and recognizable Strokes song. It comes from the 2001 debut album Is This It and remains a staple of their live shows.
Which Strokes album should a new listener start with?
Is This It is the best starting point. It contains Last Nite, Someday, Hard to Explain and The Modern Age, all in a compact and consistent collection.
Who produced The New Abnormal?
Rick Rubin produced The New Abnormal, released in 2020. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.
What is the story behind New York City Cops?
New York City Cops was included on the original international release of Is This It. It was replaced on the US edition by When It Started after the September 11 attacks.