Albert Hammond Jr., guitarist of NYC indie gods The Strokes, is streaming his first solo material since 2008’s ¿Cómo Te Llama?.
The five-song EP title AHJ will be released on 8th October through Strokes bandmate Julian Casablancas’ Cult Records. With Gus Oberg as producer and Casablancas even providing some input, AHJ promises to revive some of The Strokes’ early guitar-driven sound.
Discussing the EP’s release, Hammond told Rolling Stone: “The way the press works, people don’t like to review or talk about EPs. It’s considered, ‘Why don’t you just wait for the record?’… I almost feel like putting out a few songs every couple months might be better than putting out an album every year or two.”
Hammond opened up about his drug abuse problems earlier this year, admitting that he “used to shoot cocaine, heroin and ketamine. All together. Morning, night, 20 times a day”. He even entered rehab in 2009, for a short period, before being released.
Now, with a new solo EP and new Strokes album, Comedown Machine, under his belt, Hammond has admitted that “being sober helps”. He has said that “weirdly enough, you’re more creative. I feel OK being myself. I feel comfortable to sit and sing embarrassing melodies before finding one”.
Albert Hammond Jr. will begin his first US solo tour in years on 3rd November. Stream his new EP, AHJ, below.
Stream: Albert Hammond Jr. – AHJ EP
(Via Rolling Stone)
