On the record: Future Islands – As Long As You Are
Baltimore synth-romantics Future Islands’ sixth record continues the band’s evolution in the spotlight.
The spotlight first fell when their performance on the Late Show with David Letterman went viral some years ago. The band’s popularity since rests on the emotional weight of Samuel T Herring’s lyrics and the consistently gorgeous synths accompanying them.
New album As Long As You Are was recorded by the band in their home town of Baltimore. The founding trio of William Cashion, Gerrit Welmers and Herring has expanded to a four-piece, with drummer Mike Lowry joining as an official member and songwriter on this album, having previously been a touring member of the band. The album is the product of significant evolution in their sound too; it is their best music yet.
Future Islands are one of the most exciting live acts you’ll ever see. The romantic synth songs on this record will be played out alongside Herring’s over-the-top dancing, chest-beating and throaty delivery when we can eventually see live music again. I can’t wait.
Lead singer Herring’s voice is distinctive. He manages to convey the sensitivity of the subject he’s singing about, while only ever being several seconds from sounding more primal, perhaps exhibited best on For Sure, one of the quicker tracks on the album.
Herring has said that he is now “happy for the first time in a long time,” which allowed him to feel freer to explore [himself] and accept “certain truths” in his new music. While the album isn’t universally happy in tone, or in lyric, there are moments which capture his newfound contentedness. On Plastic Beach, he sings about the happiness he’s found in accepting himself and the excitement he feels for the future with his new partner. If that sounds saccharine, wait till you hear it. The passion and urgency in his delivery makes it both authentic and captivating.
Gerrit Welmers’ synth work on this, and Future Islands’ other records, add a romantic and emotional depth to their music. New addition Mike Lowry makes his presence known with his drumming on the track Moonlight. It’s one of the gentler tracks on the album, but the drumming coda on the record allows the song to linger long after Herring has finished singing. It’s meditative.
Born in a War is my favourite pick of the album’s eleven tracks, starting out as a mid-tempo song, with a guitar line to die for. The song transforms midway through into a rave, complete with 90s house synths to close out the track. The anti-gun anthem questioning those who feel it necessary to have “shotgun shells under every roof,” Herring yelps, “Look into a strong man’s eyes.” The devastating, quiet line at the end of the song, “Bloody hell”, tells us everything we need to know about Herring’s view on guns in the USA.
Herring is happier, his band sound better than ever. Future Islands continue to impress.
Listen to the album on Spotify or Apple Music now.