Future Islands Fuse Passion and Pain on Infectious Fifth Album ‘The Far Field’

Stephanie Hernandez

Future Islands have been cranking out their passionate and addictive idiosyncratic synth-pop since their formation in Baltimore in 2006. The trio’s palpable charisma is endearing and readily reflected in each of their carefully-crafted songs. The group’s breakout performance of their single “Seasons (Waiting on You)” on Letterman back in 2014 became the catalyst that propelled them into the general public’s consciousness, just in time for their ten-year anniversary. Samuel T. Herring, Gerrit Welmers and William Cashion proved they could deliver what would become a huge part of 2016’s year-end soundtrack, making the release of the group’s fifth album, “The Far Field,” that much more exciting. Though the record itself is nothing new for Future Islands, its overwhelming sense of exaltation is enough to get you completely enamored with these three unlikely rock stars. Packed full of dance floor bangers, each track feels like a potential hit single – and there’s something to be said for an album that can handle so much momentum without growing tiresome. Herring’s signature robust vocals remain the string that holds Future Islands together, giving voice to the universal-yet-intangible sense of melancholy we all feel at times. Luckily for us, this trio knows just how to channel their despair into something productive and effortlessly danceable.

The record opens with the commanding “Aladdin,” taking cues from the confident sound exuded on their last album “Singles.” It quickly becomes clear Future Islands’ unrelenting passion is this record’s driving force. The subsequent tracks are riddled with bright, airy rhythms, insanely infectious hooks and Samuel T. Herring’s captivating lyrical delivery. “The Far Field” never lets up, keeping the fever going straight to the end. Their latest single, “Ran,” is a perfect example of the group’s ardent synth-washed enthusiasm in action while still giving the listener a second to breathe on slower tracks like “Beauty Of The Road.” Then “Cave” picks things up, an absolutely pulsating dance floor anthem meant to up your heartbeat. Future Islands is careful to weave in their signature melancholy to keep things from going too saccharine, making moments like “Through The Roses” all the more powerful. That doesn’t mean the beat stops, as exemplified by the throbbing backbeat of “North Star” and the bass-laden “Ancient Water.” The boys are then joined by the iconic Debbie Harry who shares vocal duty on the brooding track “Shadows,” rounding out the end of the record with an unexpected, but surprisingly satisfying treat.

The beauty of “The Far Field” is that it keeps you completely engaged from beginning to end. Never once are you tempted to walk away from this polished piece of synthpop. A pithy collection of minimalistic arranged vignettes, the album elevates commercially appealing electro-pop to something that shows off actual artistic integrity. More than just catchy verses or melodies, Future Island’s swathe of synths has a purpose: the tracks are intelligent, well rounded at expertly produced. With such a collection of truly solid and intoxicating songs, it is clear Future Islands used their time on and off the road wisely. After taking so long to construct something so otherworldly, it is now time to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

“The Far Field” is available on Apple Music April 7.