Julian Casablancas reacts to Rick Rubin confirming new The Strokes album

Virgin Radio

17 Oct 2022, 12:10

A few days after legendary producer Rick Rubin announced he was working with The Strokes on their new album, lead singer Julian Casablancas has given his two cents. 

While on The Joe Rogan Experience, Rubin revealed that he recently completed a recording session with the band in Costa Rica for their new record, which will be their seventh LP.

Rubin told the host: “A few months ago I was in Costa Rica, recording a new album with The Strokes, and we rented this house up on the top of a mountain and set the band up outside.”

He continued: “So they’re playing… It’s like they’re doing a concert for the ocean, on the top of a mountain. It was incredible. And we did that every day, playing out in the [open], and they didn’t want to leave. It was, like, the best experience.”

Chiming in on the new music update, Casablancas posted on his own Instagram page to praise the recording icon’s time on the podcast, and to set some things straight. 

The musician shared a black and white video of the late, great Little Richard and wrote: “Strokes've jammed and started some stuff, but we're still so extremely v far off from from being even close to any kinda remotely-near-doneness…”

He added: “Lotta jumping to conclusions - check back in a year or 2 honestly........”

The Strokes and Rubin have worked together before, with Rubin jumping on their last full-length record, The New Abnormal, in 2020. 

The New Abnormal hit the top ten in a number of countries around the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom. It won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 63rd Annual Grammys in 2021, the band's first win and, indeed, nomination.

Rubin is renowned as one of the world’s greatest producers, having worked with hip-hop artists such as Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, and Run-DMC. He has also spanned genres, producing the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, and Johnny Cash.