Future Islands, the Baltimore alt-pop group, are back with their seventh album, “People Just Aren’t Here Anymore”. Released in late January of 2024, the album belongs to the same romantic brand of synth-pop that swept us up ten years ago with their poignant performance of “Seasons” on The Late Show With David Letterman. Just like their previous albums, their latest offering offers an experience that is full of anthemic choruses, with sound that best thrives on emotional territory, elevated by shimmering synths and 80s bass lines, feelings of happiness tinged with sadness that make it an irresistible musical treat.
The band members of Future Islands are Gerrit Welmers, William Cashion, Samuel T. Herring, and Michael Lowry. The group spoke to Rough Trade East about their new album after it came out.
When asked about his favourite record, Samuel T. Herring, chose John Coltrane’s “Ballads”. As he puts it, “it’s a slow-burning, just gorgeous record” which he has been listening to since he was a teenager. As an artist, he still finds that the opening line of a song is absolutely crucial.
William Cashion, on the other hand, picked Aphex Twin’s “Selected Ambient Works 85 to 92”. William discovered the album while he was in high school, and it has remained a classic record for him ever since.
Meanwhile, Michael Lowry’s choice of record is “Cafe Exil – New Adventures in European Music 1972 – 1980”. The album features “Don’t You Know” by the Jon Hamer Group, a song that Michael listened to repeatedly during the lockdown. The album also includes tracks by well-known musicians such as Piero Umiliani and Rubba.
Future Islands continues to charm their audience with their unique brand of synth-pop. Their latest album, along with the band’s favourite records, is proof of their continuing musical journey
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