Singles
Future Island’s fourth album and debut for 4AD deserves the title *Singles* since it does play out like an album of individual tracks with great commercial potential all joined as one. The Baltimore trio’s powerful sound is based in synths and electric basslines, from J. Gerrit Welmers and William Cashion, respectively. Together, they layer and push forward an orchestrated groove that’s both modern and steeped in the tradition of Philly soul, glam rock, and postpunk. Singer Samuel T. Herring—a stage hound who captures the audience’s imagination with the movements of a boxer—provides a soulful croon on record that can turn into a virile growl. It’s Joy Division as ballet for “Back in the Tall Grass” and Blue Nile/Talk Talk/Roxy Music for the inescapable hooks of “Seasons (Waiting on You),” “Spirit,\" and “Doves.” Producer Chris Coady (known for his work with Beach House and Grizzly Bear) works with Welmers’ synth loops and smartly composed parts until everything meshes together beautifully for a perfect musicality.
Thanks to a performance on "Late Show With David Letterman" that went viral, Future Islands are now ready for their close-up. Their fourth album does not disappoint. This is pop music distilled, something Future Islands have been working at since their earliest lo-fi electro-punk records.
The status of “next big thing” is a coveted position, and most bands never get there.
After a solid run of albums that showed growth each time, Future Islands explode into greatness on their fourth album, and first for 4AD, 2014's Singles.
This Baltimore-based new wave/synthpop trio are now on their fourth full-length, and have been through nearly as many record labels: this, their 4AD debut, follows releases on Thrill Jockey and Upset the Rhythm.
When Future Islands appeared on the Late Show With David Letterman in early March, their four minutes on camera was a real "aha moment," not just for the millions that had never heard the band before, but for the band themselves.
Singles is the kind of step forward a psychedelic indie band could take to bring itself into a bigger spotlight. Future Islands deserves that kind of attention, and though it's understandable that Samuel Herring's dramatic growl might not be for everyone,
Album review: Future Islands - Singles. If you can get past singer Samuel T Herring’s rather theatrical, lion-like vocals, ‘Singles’ is a perfect album for when the shifting weather...
Northern Transmissions reviews Future Islands' new album Singles. The LP comes out on March 24th via 4AD. Future Islands play March 23 in Charlottesville VA
Its overwrought emotions may be too much for some, but there's an undeniable vigour to Future Islands' new album, writes <strong>Harriet Gibsone</strong>
Future Islands - Singles review: I’ve grown tired trying to change for you.
Everyone's talking about Future Islands' intense performance on David Letterman. But their whole album is sparkling, moreish and heartfelt, says Helen Brown