New Artist

Future Islands can only be loosely called a New Artist.  The three members have been together since 2003 surviving several personnel changes and a move from North Carolina to Baltimore.  Now a part of Dan Deacon’s collective of artists Wham City, Future Islands have begun to make quite a stir with their throwback style of synth rock.  Programmed beats, New Order synths, and Peter Hook reminiscent driving bass lines make up the texture backing dramatic vocalist Samuel Herring.  Herring’s often strained vocals seem to fall more in line with Tom Waits or Joe Cocker than the front man of a self-proclaimed post-wave act, and yet they are just inappropriate enough to work.  The group signed to Chicago label Thrill Jockey in 2009 and will release their first proper LP In Evening Air later this year.  Be sure to also check out the acclaimed Wave Like Home EP.  For now take a listen to a track off the upcoming release.

Future Islands – “Long Flight”

More on Future Islands here.