Angles
The Strokes · 2011
34 min · 10 tracks · indie rock
A blend of polished melodies and angular guitar riffs that contrasts the band's raw, early sound with a more refined approach.
Top tracks — play these first
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Under Cover of Darkness — This track serves as a powerful reintroduction to The Strokes' signature sound, combining catchy hooks with nostalgic lyrics reflecting on past glories.
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Taken for a Fool — With its infectious melody and upbeat tempo, this song captures the essence of the band's ability to blend pop sensibilities with rock aesthetics.
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Machu Picchu Start here — Opening the album, this track features layered guitars and an airy atmosphere that signals a shift towards a more expansive sound while retaining their core identity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Angles shows growth in The Strokes' sound but lacks the cohesion and distinctiveness of their earlier work.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a bright, upbeat track that sets a lively tone, but the tempo fluctuates significantly by the fourth track, which slows down to a more introspective feel.
- Several tracks feature layered guitar lines that create a textured sound, contrasting with the straightforward rhythms of the drums.
- The last three tracks gradually decrease in energy, culminating in a reflective closing piece that leaves the listener with an unresolved feeling.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- catchy hooks for engagement
- short, immersive listening sessions
- mid-tempo flow for reflection
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Angles represents a departure from The Strokes' earlier raw sound with a polished approach.
- Career context
- Released on March 18, 2011, Angles marked The Strokes' fourth studio album and their first since the departure of guitarist Nick Valensi from their traditional songwriting process. At this point in their career, the band was attempting to explore new musical directions while facing high expectations after their previous successes, particularly following First Impressions of Earth in 2006.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Arctic Monkeys· The Libertines· Franz Ferdinand
Tracklist
- 1 Machu Picchu Start here 3:32
- 2 Under Cover of Darkness 3:57
- 3 Two Kinds of Happiness 3:43
- 4 You’re So Right 2:33
- 5 Taken for a Fool 3:24
- 6 Games 3:53
- 7 Call Me Back 3:03
- 8 Gratisfaction 2:59
- 9 Metabolism 3:04
- 10 Life Is Simple in the Moonlight 4:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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