The Strokes just gave their fanbase a gift wrapped in pure nostalgia.“In Transit: Part II”is a ten-minute documentary that serves as a direct sequel to the iconic 2001 mini-doc that fans have been treasuring for over two decades. Back then, the band was young and hungry, documenting their scrappy early days around their debut album“Is This It.”That footage became legendary, passed around among devoted fans like it was precious gold. Now, director Johann Rashid has captured what The Strokes have been up to during six weeks of recording their new album“Reality Awaits”in Costa Rica with legendary producer Rick Rubin, and the contrast is striking. Where the original“In Transit”showed chaos and raw energy, this new documentary shows a band operating at the height of their powers in what they describe as the most beautiful recording environment they’ve ever experienced.
What makes this release particularly meaningful is the timing.“Reality Awaits”marks The Strokes’seventh album, and it’s coming after a six-year gap since their last record. Band member Albert Hammond Jr. has called it his favorite album they’ve ever made, describing it as“intoxicatingly good.”You can see the band working on recent singles like“Falling Out Of Love”and“Going Shopping,”and there’s a visible confidence in how they move through the recording process. One longtime fan perfectly summed up the feeling on Reddit:“So funny looking at this picturesque recording studio and thinking back to the chaos and moving around of In Transit part one. The boys really did make it.”Beyond the documentary, The Strokes are gearing up for their first major UK and Ireland headline tour in over twenty years, including multiple shows at London’s O2. This is a significant moment for rock music fans who’ve been waiting for this band to come home to one of their most important territories.
The release of“In Transit: Part II”taps into something deeper than just promoting new music. For longtime fans, it’s a full-circle moment that lets you reflect on your own journey alongside the band. You see where they started, and you see where they’ve arrived, and there’s something genuinely moving about that progression captured on film. The documentary reminds us why we fell in love with The Strokes in the first place, while also showing us they still have plenty of creative fire left. Whether you’ve been following them since day one or you’re just discovering their music now, this documentary and new album are worth your time. What’s your favorite The Strokes era, and does seeing this behind-the-scenes footage change how you feel about their music?
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
