Watch: The Strokes Debut New Track | Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews
The Strokes have played a brand new track from 'Angles' during an appearance on Saturday Night Live.
www.clashmusic.comI don’t have live updates available in this moment, but here’s what’s known about The Strokes’ track “Under Cover of Darkness” and its context.
Core answer
- The Strokes released “Under Cover of Darkness” as the lead single from their 2011 album Angles, and the song was promoted with a free download window on their official site for a limited period in February 2011 before it became widely available for purchase. This marked their return after a several-year hiatus.
Background and significance
- The track served as the first new Strokes material after their 2006 release First Impressions of Earth, signaling a comeback and a shift in production toward a crisper, more polished sound while retaining the band’s signature garage-rock sensibility. It also accompanied the rollout of Angles, which arrived in 2011. The release generated substantial media coverage and live debuts, including performances and appearances around that period.
- For reference on the free download window and release timeline, various outlets around early February 2011 reported the 48-hour free download on the band’s website, with Angles slated for a March 2011 release.[4]
Reception highlights
- Critics noted that the track blends familiar Strokes elements—hooky choruses and tight guitar work—with updated production. While some reviews compared it to earlier material, many framed it as a strong return that helped reestablish the band in the contemporary rock scene.
- For example, reviews from music outlets at the time emphasized its catchy chorus and its role as a lead single signaling the Angles era, and contemporary coverage highlighted live performances and media appearances as part of the Angles rollout.[2][5]
Where to listen and find official releases
- The song was distributed as a free download for a short window, then released commercially as part of Angles and as an eligible track on various platforms (digital storefronts, streaming, etc.). The official Strokes channels and major music press covered the release and subsequent album cycle in early 2011.[1][2][4]
Illustration (example)
- Chart progression: Lead single release → free download window → album Angles release → continued singles and promotion.
If you’d like, I can search for the latest articles or confirm current streaming availability and any anniversaries or remastered editions related to Angles and “Under Cover of Darkness.” I can also assemble a concise timeline or compare this track with other Angles-era singles. Would you like me to proceed with a quick update search?