Concrete Playground

No doubt you've heard that the world's favourite rich-kid band, the Strokes have dusted themselves off and are back in the studio. Not sure how it's going down, especially after watching their first studio diary video, which Julian Casablancas is completely absent from. Julian said recently that "it's way more collaborative", so obviously he's letting the boys start off the proceedings whilst he's off touring his solo work.

In the four-year interim between albums, it's not just Julian who has gone off on a solo tangent: Albert Hammond, Jr. has released two albums of sunny pop and Nikolai Fraiture put out a solo album which was far more expansive than any of the Strokes stuff. Maybe these diversions will all play a part in the next album from the NYC supergroup. From the sounds of things on the studio diary it's going to be more of the same sharp-edged guitars and driving drum beats, but it's a bit early to call it. We will have to wait to see how it sounds when they come to our shores.

They are rumoured for Splendour (and it's not the most ridiculous rumour, as Secret Sounds, who own the festival, are presenting the tour), but if you want to catch them in Sydney you'd better hop to it as the tickets go on sale on Monday, April 12, at 9am.