Future Islands
Singles

Samuel T. Herring is the ringleader of Baltimore-based band Future Islands, and he truly belongs in a wrestling ring. Theatrical in both his vocal and physical expression, Herring is the heart and soul of the band and a spectacle to behold live. Luckily for us, the band’s latest album, Singles, is giving Future Islands another opportunity to tour — and another opportunity to prove why they should have blown up two times already.

The tracks that comprise Singles boast more shine and are less thematically tied together than on the crew’s past releases, but they also amount to the most solid overall collection Future Islands has put to tape; nearly every track is a hit, the synth tones and drum-pad beats are pristine, and Herring is just as adamant about engulfing your soul into his as he’s ever been. He belts on album opener “Seasons (Waiting on You),” that “people change/but you know some people never do.” And with Singles, Future Islands indeed stick with their old habits, delivering another belt-worthy, emotional triumph.