Track Review: The Strokes – “All the Time”

[RCA; 2013]

After the somewhat befuddling “One Way Trigger” dropped a couple of weeks ago, the Strokes have moved back into the garage for “All the Time.” The lead single from the imminent Comedown Machine is a joyous, slightly self-deprecating return to basics, with Room on Fire levels of fidelity and a bundle of infectious melodies. Julian Casablancas admonishes himself several times: “All the time that I need is never quite enough/All the time I need is all that’s necessary,” he sings, a jocose reference to the band’s recording process. This outlook bleeds into the rest of the song; everything from Nik Valensi’s spirited solo to the dial-up production emanates looseness, confidence and excitement. The Strokes are having fun, and we are too.

“All the Time” will be released on February 19th and Comedown Machine is out March 25th on RCA.