Are The Strokes Set to Release New Music or Playing a Prank?
The Strokes posted cryptic visuals to their Instagram Story late on March 31. The content prompted fans to speculate about new music and elaborate pranks.
The online clues
The Story showed pixel art that evoked classic computer games. One image featured a cassette tape pulled by horses on a blue background. It alternated with a pixel notepad and pencil. The band name appeared in an 8-bit typeface.
The Story included a link labeled “????.” That link led to a sign-up page headlined “We’ll be in touch.” Visitors who enter a phone number receive text updates. The initial automated reply asked for a mailing address and said the band would “try to share something soon.”
Timing and context
The post came as the band plans several festival dates in 2026. Their Coachella appearance was fewer than ten days away from the March 31 Story. The Strokes’ most recent album remains The New Abnormal, released in 2020.
Fan reaction and verification
Reactions on The Strokes subreddit ranged from excitement to skepticism. Some fans called the stunt an April Fool’s gag. Others warned against giving personal addresses to an unknown number.
Supporters pointed out factors that suggest legitimacy. Albert Hammond Jr. reposted the Story. The post also appeared on The Strokes’ official website. The sign-up host, Laylo, is a known fan-engagement platform.
Phone details and Easter eggs
One user reported a reverse lookup that returned a North Carolina landline. Other replies noted a 212 area code linked to New York City. Several fans noticed the number’s last four digits read “1251.” They saw that as a likely nod to the song “12:51” from Room On Fire.
What it might mean
Fans now ask whether Are The Strokes set to release new music, or if the stunt is simply playing a prank. No official statement has confirmed upcoming recordings or releases. A representative did not respond to a request for comment sent by Filmogaz.com.
For now, the pixel art and text signup remain the only concrete clues. Fans may learn more as festival dates approach and the band shares further details.
