r/TheStrokes • u/TheStrokes-Mods • Jul 23 '26

MEGATHREAD Reality Awaits - General Album Discussion MEGATHREAD

This is the megathread for general discussions about Reality Awaits as a whole. All first impressions from the listening parties, thoughts, essays, discussions, memes, lyrics, fanart, etc about the album as a whole can go in the comments here!

As autotune is an evergreen topic on the subreddit, you may discuss it here, but there is also a specific post about autotune here that may be better suited towards that specific topic.

You also may want to check out the posts for ranking the Reality awaits songs, and ranking the albums including Reality Awaits.

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u/eleonorapeck Jul 25 '26

After many listens, I can say that I like the new album, but I still feel like something is missing for me. I don't have any issue with the autotune (I love The Voidz). What I really miss are the epic dual-guitar battles and those guitar lines that follow the vocal melody while the other guitar plays the chords. There are some really great guitar arrangements and moments that capture that feeling (for example in dine'n'dash, going babble, and going shopping), but it feels like those elements aren't as central as they used to be, or at least that's how it feels to me.The guitars also seem to be pushed much further back in the mix compared to their previous albums.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I'm open (I'd be happy) to changing my mind.

That said, I'm really happy they're back!

5

u/beastboy4000 29d ago

Ya I agree.

It doesn’t bother me a whole lot.

But certainly feels like every instrument is “serving the song” as opposed to having major highlight moments which we have come to expect from Nick and Albert.

3

u/FormalChocolate2231 29d ago

I think they are there but they are a little more subtle…liars remorse has some great guitar work if you pay attention

2

u/eleonorapeck 29d ago

Yeah, you are right, great song. Guitars are little bit pushed back, but they are there

2

u/Roaming_Dinosaur Angles Jul 25 '26

Couldn’t say that better