Julian Casablancas + The Voidz- "Tyranny"

It's been nearly a decade since the great rock and roll revival of New York City which introduced us to a slew of grisly, pseudo-throwback acts and genuine art school confidants masquerading as guitar-slingers by night. Post 9-11 New York was a bubbling geyser of forging acts that carried the casket of modern rock quietly into the night, with the likes of bands such as Interpol, The Rapture, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and The Strokes. Founded by Julian Casablancas and maintaining their relevancy way past their expiration date, The Strokes' stripped-down garage rock managed to garnish the attention of mainstream radio
long after the hype ran out of steam.

The charismatic frontman has carved a niche with accessible melodies and subtle lyricism; a songsmith with a knack for pop sensibility and vintage execution. Enter the black sheep in his discography: THE VOIDZ. "Tyranny", the debut album from Julian Casablancas and his new band The Voidz, is the complete antithesis of any of his previous work in the best possible way.

Unpolished, unhinged, noisy, and virtually inaccessible to anyone whose excitement begins and ends with The Strokes' "Last Night"; "Tyranny" stands on its own as a rambunctious debut. Unafraid of 15 minute meanderings into 21st century cynical romanticism ("Human Sadness") or Black Flag-worthy proto-punk howling (the inexplicably catchy "Where No Eagles Fly"), the album's Warriors aesthetic is matched by its lack of pomp and circumstance, which one can only assume were chucked down a garbage disposal in a wash of grimy guitars, 80's-inspired blast-beat drums, and kitschy-casio keyboards.

It's a strange album, to say the least, especially when you take into consideration who's the ringleader behind it.

Grab your copy of JULIAN CASABLANCAS & THE VOIDZ "TYRANNY", Right Here!