The Strokes recently recorded a new album in Costa Rica with famous producer, Rick Rubin. Rubin shared the news during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience that went live on Wednesday (October 12th).
Rubin said the following about the project: “A few months ago, I was in Costa Rica recording a new album with The Strokes,” Rubin revealed. “We rented this house on the top of a mountain and set the band up outside. So it’s like, they’re doing a concert for the ocean on the top of a mountain. And we did that everyday — it was incredible. They didn’t want to leave, it was like the best experience.”
The as-yet-unannounced album would mark the follow-up to 2020’s The New Abnormal, which was also produced by Rubin. Rick Rubin has worked on countless records and built a great relationship with many bands including The Strokes. The last record that Rubin did that got a lot of traction was with The Red Hot Chili Peppers and that was through their album, ‘I’m With You’.
The record was received pretty well as it currently holds 4.6 stars out of 5 when looking at reviews. It’s actually one of their highest rated records ever and the highest non-Frusciante days during the 2000s. That said, not everyone was blown away by the record. In fact, Josh Klinghoffer was not happy at all with Rubin being a part of the project.
He said when asked about working with Rick.
Josh: “I’m incredibly conflicted about my output with that band because I feel like, in both circumstances, producers got in the way of us truly making great music or a great record. I like almost all of the songs that we wrote together, but seldom did we capture them in the best way. I will say that in the case of ‘I’m With You’, I feel Rick Rubin was way more a hindrance than a help. He told me once, ‘I just want to help the songs be the best they can be.’ I should’ve said, ‘Well, then get your driver to come and get you.’”
