The Strokes – Is This It

Is This It, released in 2001 (2002 in the U.S.), is The Strokes’ debut studio album and a canonical statement of post-millennial rock minimalism. The record pairs raw immediacy with taut songwriting: guitars jangle, drums snap, and Julian Casablancas’ drawling delivery offers both detachment and urgency. Tracks like “Last Nite,” “Someday,” and “Hard to Explain” channel the energy of early garage rock through a modern sensibility, while the sequencing maintains momentum without filler. Its sound is lean, confident, and unpretentious—an album built for repeated backyard spins as much as critical admiration. As a debut, Is This It became a defining moment for indie and garage revival movements in the early 2000s. Its influence is profound: many bands cite its directness, simplicity, and attitude as inspiration. Even beyond its era, the album continues to resonate for how it distilled rock to essentials while delivering unforgettable hooks. It remains a reference point for any listener or artist exploring the boundaries between attitude and melody.

Reviews

“Is This It is one of the most exciting debut records I’ve heard in years.” – Rolling Stone

“Is This It stands as one of the era’s defining albums, reasserting the power of guitar-based rock.” – NME