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The unflappable singer croons and moans his way across the eight tracks featured on Phrazes For The Young, all of which begin with an electronic organ or beat from a drum machine.  Although the computer-heavy production was to be expected on his solo album, upon first listen, Casablancas’ voice sounds much less commanding than it does when combined with the raw, analog sound that his long-time backing band, The Strokes, provided for him.

Still, after a few listens, it’s easy to take this album for what it is: short and sweet.

In the song “Glass”, Casablancas sings, “I don’t believe it/I won’t believe it/I’m not sad/I understand/That’s how it goes”, which resembles lyrics from many songs off The Strokes’ 2001 debut album titled “Is This It”.  The similarities are evidence that Casablancas is still passive and accepting of his misfortunes.

Phrazes For The Young condenses the allure of Casablancas’ talent into a small collection of succinct pop songs.  It seems this leather jacket-wearing rock icon of the 21st century can do no wrong; his latest work is definitely worth a listen.