Parting from his duties as frontman for The Strokes, Julian Casablancas has recently débuted his first solo album Phrazes for the Young. This New York native has taken the colossal leap into solo-stardom while crashing head-on into utter brilliance.

The opening track “Out of the Blue” paves the way for ingenuity while lending a haunting intro, catchy beats and witty lyrics: “Those who helped me along the way/I smacked them as I thanked them/Yes I know I am going to Hell in a leather jacket/At least I will be in another world/while you’re pissing on my casket.” It offers amplified excellence that notably leaves top 40 songs as nothing more than clichéd.

The follow-up track, “Left & Right in the Dark”, allows listeners to get all giddy when the opportunity to pull out their legwarmers comes knockin’ on their door. This song is reminiscent of Flock of Seagulls’ “I Ran (So Far Away)” but does not go overboard with repetition. If I have gained any knowledge about Casablancas while playing this record it would be his exceptional skills to channel many different eras within the span of a four minute masterpiece. Phrazes for the Young then settles down with “4 Chords of the Apocalypse”, a pleasant tempo change from the previous upbeat tracks. It places fans smack-dab in the middle of a disintegrating relationship but gives a sense of satisfaction knowing to have been able to hear the impressive denouement.

If this review does nothing but declare my infatuation with an eight-track plastic disc then readers must heed my advice and give it a spin in the stereo (or a play on youtube). I boast about Phrazes for the Young only to have been so completely impressed as a first time Strokes-affiliated music listener. If Casablancas’ deep soothing voice does not hook you in, perhaps it will be the off-color beats that leave you in an intergalactic world. These eerie tunes allow you to discover the inner workings of one of today’s most exemplar musicians and believe me, it’s a nice place to visit.