The Strokes Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Few bands define an era like The Strokes defined the early 2000s. Their arrival felt like a lightning strike, rewriting the rules of rock music for a new generation.

But how does their full body of work hold up today? That question ignites endless discussion among dedicated listeners. We're setting out to explore the full discography of The Strokes, creating a ranked list guided by the people who know it best: the fans.

This journey through The Strokes's albums ranked by fan sentiment helps us see what many consider the best The Strokes album. We'll also look at how popularity data tells a slightly different story.

Ranking The Strokes's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

1. Is This It (2001)

The Strokes’s debut album, Is This It, was a landmark release for the early 2000s garage rock revival.

Released after a bidding war sparked by their The Modern Age EP, the album garnered immediate and widespread critical acclaim.

Its release in the US was delayed, and the original artwork was replaced for the North American market. The track "New York City Cops" was also swapped out following the September 11 attacks.

Despite these changes, the album's influence was undeniable, and it has consistently appeared on "greatest albums" lists ever since.

Key tracks:

• Someday
• Last Nite

It is no surprise that Is This It holds the top spot. For countless fans, this album wasn't just an introduction to The Strokes; it was the sound of a new era in rock.

Its raw, effortless cool and perfectly crafted songs created a blueprint that bands would follow for years. This is the definitive fan favorite, a truly foundational record.

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2. The New Abnormal (2020)

The New Abnormal marked the band's first full-length album in seven years, the longest gap in their history.

Produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, the album was recorded primarily at his Shangri-La studio in Malibu, California.

Upon release, it was met with highly positive reviews. Many critics hailed it as a significant return to form for the band.

The project's success was capped off with a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album, a first for The Strokes.

Key tracks:

• The Adults Are Talking
• Selfless

Landing firmly in the number two spot, The New Abnormal is seen by fans as a triumphant and vital return.

Its blend of classic Strokes energy with mature songwriting and a polished, modern sound resonated deeply. For many, it proved the band was not just a nostalgic act but a creative force still at the peak of its powers.

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3. Angles (2011)

Released in 2011, Angles was the band's fourth studio album and their first after a five-year hiatus.

The album's creation was reportedly fractured, with vocalist Julian Casablancas largely absent from the initial sessions with producer Joe Chiccarelli.

Much of the material was reworked by the band with engineer Gus Oberg, leading to a sound that expanded on their core style with more keyboards and layered production techniques.

Key tracks:

• Under Cover of Darkness
• Machu Picchu

Angles is an album that often splits opinions, which explains its position in the middle of the fan ranking.

Some fans champion its adventurous spirit and willingness to push the band's sound into new territories. Others find it less cohesive than their earlier work, a reflection of the difficult recording process. It remains a fascinating and much-discussed entry in their catalog.

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4. Comedown Machine (2013)

Comedown Machine is the fifth studio album from The Strokes, released in 2013.

The band famously opted for a media blackout for the album's promotion. There were no interviews, television appearances, or tours to support the release.

Despite the lack of traditional marketing, the album received mostly positive reviews from critics and was recognized by NME as one of the best albums of that year.

Key tracks:

• Call It Fate, Call It Karma
• Welcome To Japan

As the band's final record under their contract with RCA, Comedown Machine is viewed by many fans as an intriguing and somewhat enigmatic release.

Its unconventional rollout and diverse sonic palette make it a grower for many listeners. Fans who connect with it often praise its subtlety and the band's willingness to explore more synth-heavy and atmospheric sounds.

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5. Room On Fire (2003)

The highly anticipated follow-up to their debut, Room on Fire, was released in 2003.

The album's title is taken from a lyric in the song "Reptilia," one of its most popular tracks.

It received positive reviews and performed well commercially, reaching number two on the UK charts and earning a gold certification in the US.

Initial recording sessions with producer Nigel Godrich were scrapped, with the band ultimately returning to Gordon Raphael to capture a sound closer to their debut.

Key tracks:

• Reptilia
• 12:51

The placement of Room on Fire this low in a fan ranking may seem shocking to some, and it highlights the impossible task of following a perfect debut.

While beloved for tracks like "Reptilia," the album is sometimes seen by fans as "more of the same" rather than a bold step forward. It's a fantastic record, but its proximity to Is This It often leads to direct and sometimes harsh comparisons.

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6. First Impressions Of Earth (2006)

First Impressions of Earth, the band's third studio album, arrived at the beginning of 2006.

It represented a move toward a bigger, more polished sound, with the band working primarily with producer David Kahne.

The album featured three singles, including the powerful lead track "Juicebox" and the fan-favorite "You Only Live Once."

It became the band's first album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart.

Key tracks:

• You Only Live Once
• Heart In a Cage

Taking the final spot in the fan ranking, First Impressions of Earth is perhaps the band's most divisive record.

Its longer runtime and more aggressive, polished sound were a significant departure from their first two albums. While some fans applaud the ambition and powerful singles, others feel the album lacks the concise, raw magic that first defined the band's appeal.

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Picked your top The Strokes classic? Check out The Strokes's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.

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The Strokes albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of The Strokes's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Popularity Rank	Album Title	Release Year
1	The New Abnormal	2020
2	Is This It	2001
3	Room On Fire	2003
4	Comedown Machine	2013
5	First Impressions Of Earth	2006
6	Angles	2011

Quick FAQs about The Strokes's albums

Q: Why was the album cover for Is This It different in the US?

A: The original international cover featured a black-and-white photo of a gloved hand on a woman's backside. Due to concerns over the image, the North American version was replaced with a photograph of particle collisions.

Q: Was a song changed on the US version of Is This It?

A: Yes. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, the track "New York City Cops" was replaced with the song "When It Started" for the US release due to potentially inflammatory lyrics in the original song's chorus.

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So there you have it – a look at The Strokes's albums ranked.

We've considered both the passionate insights of fans and current popularity trends.

Ultimately, the "best" The Strokes album often comes down to personal connection. The moments those songs soundtrack in our lives are what matter.

Each record is a distinct chapter. What does your personal ranking of The Strokes's albums look like? Which one holds the top spot for you, and why?