Stream: The Cars' Move Like This

Worth the wait?

​Well, it only took 24 years. The Cars (sans bassist Benjamin Orr, who died in 2000) re-formed last year and now are on the brink of releasing the first collection of new material since 1987's Door to Door. Much like Devo's 20-year gap between Smooth Noodle Maps and last year's Something for Everybody, the time away has been healthy for Ric Ocasek and his band.

Ocasek has since established himself as a successful producer with countless credits including Weezer's Blue Album and Green Album, a Guided by Voices record that only diehards can enjoy, Bad Religion, No Doubt, and Suicide. And, especially in the past decade, a ton of albums that had nothing to do with him mimic the Cars' polished synth-pop, infectious beats, and his forceful, cocky vocal style. Get a piece of that pie, guy!

RollingStone.com has the exclusive stream leading up to Move Like This' release on May 10. Find it here.

Upon first listen, it's an immediate relief to hear that Ocasek's voice has weathered the years well. As for the new-wave trappings of their past releases, these are songs that will fit right along with their existing material for reunion shows. "Hits Me" probably won't even require a switch of keyboard effects. If LCD Soundsystem hadn't just quit playing live, they'd be a wise tour pairing, and "Blue Tip" seems to be a bit of an homage of James Murphy's past homages. And yes, all of the Strokes/Killers comparisons that went the other way in the past are still in effect here.