"Is This It" is the debut studio album by American rock band The Strokes, first released on July 30, 2001, in Australia. The album was released internationally by RCA Records and in the United Kingdom by Rough Trade Records. Recorded at Transporterraum in New York City with producer Gordon Raphael during March and April 2001, the album aimed to capture a raw, unpolished sound, largely sticking to live takes and minimal studio enhancements. The band built on the sound they introduced in their 2001 EP The Modern Age, with lead singer Julian Casablancas continuing to explore themes of urban youth, relationships, and everyday life in his lyrics.
After finishing the album, The Strokes embarked on a world tour to promote it. The album's release was staggered to align with their tour dates, debuting in Japan on August 22 and in the United Kingdom on August 27. The original cover photograph for the album was deemed too sexually explicit for the U.S. market and was replaced with a less provocative image there. Following the September 11 attacks, the U.S. release was delayed from September 25 to October 9. The American version of the album was also altered, with the song "New York City Cops" being removed and replaced with "When It Started." However, the American vinyl release still included "New York City Cops" due to its release date falling on September 11.
Three singles were released from the album: "Hard to Explain," "Last Nite," and "Someday." The album received widespread acclaim for its catchy, pop-influenced rock sound and its twin-guitar interplay, often drawing comparisons to 1970s garage rock. Is This It peaked at number 33 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and number two on the UK Albums Chart, achieving platinum status in several countries. It is celebrated for its impact on the revival of guitar-based rock music in the 2000s and has been included in numerous publications' lists of the best albums of the decade and of all time.
