The Strokes - First Impressions of Earth

The Strokes have rocketed to the dark edges of space with the New York band’s heaviest, most dangerous sounding album to date. The lead-off single, “Juicebox,” comes across like a sinister Batman theme, complete with ferocious guitar. The syncopated “Razorblade” and the blistering, raging “Vision of Division” are oddly euphoric. But strangest of all is “Ask Me Anything.” With its robotic keyboard riff and Julian Casablancas’ singing repeatedly “I’ve got nothing to say,” it’s like Kraftwerk on crack.

Jan. 3