Future Islands

Future Islands’ synth-pop anthems are built on driving rhythms and the tireless performances of singer Samuel T. Herring. Formed in North Carolina in the mid-2000s as electronic group Art Lord & The Self-Portraits, they became Future Islands and released a debut EP, Little Advances, in 2006. Their early work on scrappy first album Wave Like Home found them mixing punk energy with New-Wave sensibilities; by 2010’s In Evening Air, they’d hit upon the winning combo that has defined their music since: lush synthscapes, pulsing rhythms and Herring’s dynamic croons and wails. Still, it wasn’t until 2014’s Singles and the runaway critical success of “Seasons (Waiting On You)” that Future Islands were thrust into the spotlight, in part thanks to a spellbinding late-night U.S. TV performance. Future Islands have continued experimenting within their well-honed palette on ensuing records like 2020’s As Long As You Are and 2024’s People Who Aren’t There Anymore.