LET’S DANCE

Samuel T. Herring is a bit of strange dude. He‰’s a pioneer of NORMCORE, dances like you do in your underwear with a blowdryer as a microphone, has the least “frontman‰” look in the world, and sounds like an overdramatic musical actor in his delivery. Oh yeah, he‰’s also amazing and completely owns it. Future Islands‰’ latest record, their first on seminal indie label 4AD, delivers on the promise of their first three records. Certainly their atmospheric post-punk sound has been cleaned up a bit, but this only exposes their catchiest and best songwriting. “Seasons (Waiting on You)‰” is an early candidate for song of the year and although most of the songs don‰’t make as strong of an impression initially, tracks such as “Doves‰Û, “Back in the Tall Grass‰Û, and “Sun in the Morning‰” all showcase intense singalong vocals and driving basslines. Although Herring will receive the most praise due to his strange performing demeanor, the true MVP of the album is William Cashion for his stunning and pulsating bass lines. In true post-punk fashion, it is the bassist who seems to be keeping everything together. With Singles, Future Islands have managed to open themselves to a wider audience without giving away what made them so unique and strange.

Recommended Tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6
RIYL: New Order, Mas Ysa, Dan Deacon, karaoke power moves, David Letterman memes, the Dracula musical from Forgetting Sarah Marshall