The Strokes new album 'set for March' release

Page last updated at 06:50 GMT, Wednesday, 5 January 2011

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Julian Casablancas says The Strokes' fourth album has a classic sound

The Strokes have finished their as yet untitled fourth album and will release it "by March".

Speaking to Radio 1's Zane Lowe bassist Nikolai Fraiture confirmed that the follow-up to 2006's First Impressions Of Earth is "in the mixing stage".

He added that he felt the album would return to the New York band's "classic sound".

"Sonically, I feel it's the album which should have been made between Room On Fire and First Impressions Of Earth."

'Weird' atmosphere

However, the bass player admitted that initial writing sessions for the album last year had been "weird" following a prolonged break.

In the five years since their last album four of the five members have released solo albums or been part of side projects.

"We didn't really break up but we didn't see each other for a long time," said Nikolai Fraiture.

"When you get back together there was a lot of weird energy flowing around. There are different dynamics in the group in different ways."

'Different process'

This time around lead singer Julian Casablancas recorded his vocals separately from the band, a different method from the way they've done it in the past.

Sonically, I feel it's the album which should have been made between Room On Fire and First Impressions Of Earth

Nikolai Fraiture, The Strokes

Fraiture said: "Usually we're always in a room and changing stuff and doing it all together. It's all a learning experience."

In summer 2010 the band played a handful of high profile UK gigs at the Isle Of Wight and Rockness festivals but did not debut any new material.

"We didn't really want to play anything new because in the age of the internet we didn't want the new songs to be heard in a crappy way," admitted Fraiture.

"Those festival shows we wanted to give the fans what they wanted."

Whilst tour dates in support of the new album are yet to be announced the bassist confirmed the band would be "touring around the world".