Full Breakdown
The Strokes’ “Angles”: A Fragmented Album Born from Multiple Sessions
8/1/2026, 11:40:11 AM
The Making of “Angles”
Albert Hammond Jr. explained that The Strokes recorded their 2011 fourth album, *Angles*, in three distinct phases. The first version, produced by Gus Oberg in a rehearsal-space setting, sounded “more Stones-y” and was captured live and “dirty.” A later session at NYC’s Avatar Studios involved a producer with whom the band “didn’t get along,” leading to long hours (“from 11 until nine”) and high costs. Frontman Julian Casablancas was absent for much of the process, touring solo; he later added vocals separately, recording “10 minutes of vocals” at Hammond Jr.’s studio.
Background and Prior Albums
*Angles* followed a five-year hiatus after 2006’s *First Impressions Of Earth*. It marked the first Strokes record where every member received songwriting credits, breaking the pattern of Casablancas as primary writer on the first three LPs. The album also introduced backing vocals, notably on the lead single “Under Cover Of Darkness.”
Insights from Albert Hammond Jr.
Hammond Jr. reflected on the album’s uneven feel, saying the band tried to “polish something too much.” Hammond Jr. later praised the band’s 2023 release *Reality Awaits* as his “favourite album” and “intoxicatingly good.”
> “Afterwards, it was like, ‘I wish it was like that’,” — Hammond Jr
Reception and Legacy
Critics and fans noted the album’s fragmented sound, attributing it to the disjointed recording process and Casablancas’s limited presence. While some tracks, such as the synth-heavy “Games,” received praise for production, the overall consensus described *Angles* as “all over the place.” The album’s experimental approach—shared songwriting, backing vocals, and varied production styles—signaled a transitional moment for The Strokes, setting the stage for the looser aesthetic of their later work with Rick Rubin.
