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Future Islands excel in their yearning banger style. While their 2020 album, As Long As You Are, delivered an instant hit with “For Sure,” it often felt overwhelmingly somber – with no relief in the form of rhythm. Fortunately, “People Who Aren’t There Anymore” is more successful in bringing their tears to the dancefloor.
These reflections explore mature themes of commitment, selflessness, distance, and the pandemic, but they are also catchy and well-crafted songs. In “Iris,” a 1970s Nigerian funk rhythm is cleverly reimagined, and “Deep in the Night” and “Give Me the Ghost Back” convey a haunting beauty with their ominous undertones.
The music they composed when they were a less established band could be described as having catchier choruses and more unforgettable riffs. However, the downside is that Samuel T Herring’s voice has become even more powerful, like a velvet hammer wielded with the passion of a preacher. He dreams in colors that are beyond our perception. A slow song like Corner of My Eye showcases his vibes and intensity, but it may not seem like much until Herring takes the stage and delivers it with his expressive and precise enunciation.
Source: theguardian.com
