When music meets madness, you get something spectacular. The Strokes are proving that taking a road trip through absurdity can be the secret ingredient to a killer new album, and their latest single, Going Shopping, is packed with delightful chaos.
For this fun visual treat, the band brought in actor Walton Goggins, adding an unexpected layer of wild energy to the project. The resulting clip for the lead single from their forthcoming album, Reality Awaits, is a masterclass in surreal charm, set against a backdrop that feels plucked straight from a fever dream.
The session itself was a delightful escape. Per the band’s representatives, Goggins found himself filming in the Canary Islands when he spontaneously suggested, “let’s go shopping!” This simple phrase kicked off an adventure that led to Tenerife, Spain, where the group assembled to roll tape and capture the strange vision.
The visual narrative is rich with playful anarchy. Goggins and Casablancas are framed in an art deco setting for a series of vignettes that defy easy description. They interact with bizarre scenarios: receiving packages from various delivery men, encountering figures dressed as disgruntled pirates or clowns who engage in chest-bumping antics, and even witnessing one delivery driver being playfully beaten with his own “on strike” placard.
It’s this kind of unexpected humor that makes the video shine. There are subtle nods to classic pop culture—whispers of Paul Simon and Chevy Chase’s iconic 1986 video for “You Can Call Me Al”—woven seamlessly into the chaos, adding another layer of witty reference for those who spot it.
The energy is palpable, reflecting a creative freedom that seems to define the sound of Reality Awaits. This follow-up project builds on the success of 2020’s The New Abnormal, showcasing the band’s willingness to embrace vibrant, slightly off-kilter storytelling.
While guitarist Nick Valensi has taken a mysterious hiatus from the group, the core unit is still buzzing. The Strokes are currently on an international tour through early December, ready to bring this uniquely spirited sound to audiences worldwide. It’s clear that some of the best art happens when you let the band go shopping.
Credit: Spin
