Music Metrics Vault

Future Islands

Data updated on 2025-01-20 10:29:07 UTC
Future Islands' trademark sound is sleek, guitar-less synth pop balanced with the howls, yelps, and croons of dynamic vocalist Samuel T. Herring. The Baltimore-based group honed their sound on a series of promising albums before their near-perfect 2014 LP Singles and a stunning appearance on Late Night with David Letterman vaulted them to prominence. Herring's daring as a vocalist and the band's sweeping melodies were further honed to a point on the slick 2017 album The Far Field and 2020's melancholy As Long as You Are. Their seventh full-length, People Who Aren't There Anymore, a mixture of energetic numbers and slow jams, arrived in 2024.

The band started out making electro-pop music together in 2003 while attending East Carolina University's art program. Along with Herring, the initial members of the group were keyboardist Adam Beeby, bassist William Cashion, keyboardist Gerrit Welmers, and percussionist Kymia Nawabi, and they played shows around campus as Art Lord & the Self-Portraits. In 2006, after the band split, Herring, Cashion, and Welmers continued under the name Future Islands and picked up the Kickass bassist Erick Murillo to fill out their sound on an electronic drum kit. The band released a few CD-Rs, splits, and cassettes, then began work on their debut album with producer Chester Endersby Gwazda. After the album was recorded, but before it was released, the band, minus Murillo, relocated to Baltimore. Wave Like Home was released in 2008 for the Upset the Rhythm label.

Future Islands toured steadily, built up a fan base, and continued refining their sound. They signed to Thrill Jockey and released two records in 2010, the In the Fall EP and the In Evening Air album. After some conflict over their next album, 2011's On the Water, the group left Thrill Jockey and went underground. Herring worked on his hip-hop side project, Hemlock Ernst, and the band quietly began work on another album. They released a single for old friends Upset the Rhythm in 2012, then in 2013 signed with 4AD. Their first album for the label, 2014's Singles, was a streamlined, very accessible synth pop album produced by Chris Coady. They caused a splash in the indie rock community when their performance of one of the album's highlights, "Seasons (Waiting on You)," on Late Night with David Letterman left the host dazzled and nearly speechless. The band toured extensively, appeared at Glastonbury in 2015, and that same year released a single, "The Chase"/"Haunted by You."

In the interim between albums, Herring kept very busy. He popped up as a guest vocalist on tracks by Clams Casino, Du Blonde, and BadBadNotGood, formed a hip-hop duo called Trouble Knows Me with producer Madlib, and appeared on numerous tracks using his Hemlock Ernst hip-hop alter ego. Amidst this flurry of activity, Herring and the rest of Future Islands found time to make their sixth album. Working with producer John Congleton, they added a layer of studio sheen to their trademark sound while calling in Blondie's Debbie Harry to guest on a track. The resulting record, The Far Field, was issued by 4AD in early 2017.

Touring drummer Mike Lowry officially joined the band before sessions for their next album commenced. For the first time, the group co-produced, working with engineer Steve Wright at his Wrightway Studios in Baltimore to craft a moodier, more restrained record that leaned on epic synth ballads. As Long as You Are arrived in October 2020; on the same day it was released, Future Islands played their 1,235th show, a livestream that would be their only concert of 2020. In 2021, the group issued a series of remix EPs as well as a cover of Colourbox's "The Moon Is Blue" and the uplifting single "Peach." The yearning "King of Sweden" and a faithful rendition of Wham!'s "Last Christmas" appeared in 2022. In 2023, the band released the starry ballad "Deep in the Night." All of Future Islands' original singles since 2021 were featured on People Who Aren't There Anymore, their seventh album, which was co-produced by the group with Wright and appeared in 2024. ~ Jason Lymangrover, Rovi

Total plays

1.1 billion
Updated on 2025-01-20

Country

United States

Social media links

Monthly listeners

2,497,348

Followers

631,760

Top Cities

  1. Mexico
    32,217 listeners
  2. United Kingdom
    32,384 listeners
  3. Australia
    30,951 listeners
  4. United States
    27,471 listeners
  5. Turkey
    27,182 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Black Out Days - Future Islands Remix
Black Out Days - Future Islands Remix
265,334,247 4:08 2017-09-01
Seasons (Waiting on You)
Seasons (Waiting on You)
135,152,510 3:46 2014-03-17
A Dream of You and Me
A Dream of You and Me
49,573,620 3:59 2014-03-24
Black Out Days - Future Islands Remix (Slowed)
Black Out Days - Future Islands Remix (Slowed)
47,454,980 3:34 2021-09-10
Ran
Ran
40,911,657 3:26 2017-04-07
Balance
Balance
33,727,668 4:06 2011-10-11
For Sure
For Sure
25,704,882 3:25 2020-07-08
Time On Her Side
Time On Her Side
24,137,074 3:39 2017-04-07
Ancient Water
Ancient Water
19,909,963 3:56 2017-04-07
Back in the Tall Grass
Back in the Tall Grass
17,058,476 4:15 2014-03-24
Spirit
Spirit
14,498,225 4:22 2014-03-24
Light House
Light House
14,271,667 4:47 2014-03-24
Sun in the Morning
Sun in the Morning
13,873,600 3:48 2014-03-24
Like the Moon
Like the Moon
13,781,244 4:40 2014-03-24
Little Dreamer
Little Dreamer
13,766,235 3:56 2008-10-05
Aladdin
Aladdin
13,347,113 4:13 2017-04-07
King of Sweden
King of Sweden
12,620,054 4:12 2022-02-16
Peach
Peach
11,449,142 3:12 2021-08-18
Doves
Doves
11,422,286 3:28 2014-03-24
Seasons (Waiting On You) - BADBADNOTGOOD Reinterpretation
Seasons (Waiting On You) - BADBADNOTGOOD Reinterpretation
11,244,351 3:43 2014-12-02
Moonlight
Moonlight
10,976,649 3:39 2020-10-09
Long Flight
Long Flight
10,887,952 5:15 2010-05-04
Cave
Cave
10,639,583 3:52 2017-04-07
North Star
North Star
10,569,322 3:35 2017-04-07
A Song for Our Grandfathers
A Song for Our Grandfathers
9,162,297 4:55 2014-03-24
Tin Man
Tin Man
8,650,106 3:14 2010-05-04
The Chase
The Chase
8,503,128 3:44 2015-04-29
Shadows
Shadows
8,299,839 4:05 2017-04-07
Thrill
Thrill
7,523,896 4:20 2020-10-09
Beauty of the Road
Beauty of the Road
7,353,269 4:09 2017-04-07
The Tower
The Tower
7,186,007 3:37 2024-01-26
Vireo's Eye
Vireo's Eye
7,140,951 4:07 2010-05-04
Walking Through That Door
Walking Through That Door
7,119,163 4:33 2010-05-04
Before the Bridge
Before the Bridge
6,894,220 3:59 2011-10-11
Fall from Grace
Fall from Grace
6,629,037 4:15 2014-03-24
Inch of Dust
Inch of Dust
6,221,610 3:34 2010-05-04
Through the Roses
Through the Roses
6,013,490 3:15 2017-04-07
The Great Fire
The Great Fire
5,812,323 3:15 2011-10-11
Haunted By You
Haunted By You
5,319,081 3:46 2015-04-29
Born in a War
Born in a War
4,723,795 4:13 2020-10-09
Give Us the Wind
Give Us the Wind
4,681,735 4:06 2011-10-11
Hit the Coast
Hit the Coast
4,669,080 3:53 2020-10-09
Where I Found You
Where I Found You
4,620,471 5:44 2011-10-11
Beach Foam
Beach Foam
4,564,218 4:25 2008-10-05
Day Glow Fire
Day Glow Fire
4,509,839 3:49 2017-04-07
The Fountain
The Fountain
4,120,687 5:39 2012-09-03
Plastic Beach
Plastic Beach
3,969,741 3:40 2020-10-09
On the Water
On the Water
3,822,317 4:51 2011-10-11
Candles
Candles
3,793,667 3:57 2017-04-07
Black Rose
Black Rose
3,674,335 3:25 2017-04-07
An Apology
An Apology
3,251,739 3:44 2010-05-04
Deep In The Night
Deep In The Night
3,248,480 3:27 2023-08-15
Flicker & Flutter
Flicker & Flutter
3,191,558 2:46 2008-10-05
Swept Inside
Swept Inside
3,149,205 4:47 2010-05-04
Heart Grows Old
Heart Grows Old
3,069,496 3:14 2008-10-05
Grease
Grease
3,050,795 5:29 2011-10-11
Say Goodbye
Say Goodbye
2,831,332 3:58 2024-01-26
In the Fall
In the Fall
2,800,734 5:04 2010-04-06
Close to None
Close to None
2,798,194 6:19 2011-10-11
The Painter
The Painter
2,669,349 4:49 2020-10-09
The Thief
The Thief
2,538,819 3:21 2024-01-26
Open
Open
2,476,981 1:28 2011-10-11
Glada
Glada
2,376,824 4:16 2020-10-09
As I Fall
As I Fall
2,283,140 5:35 2010-05-04
In Evening Air
In Evening Air
2,170,230 1:13 2010-05-04
Waking
Waking
2,161,240 4:09 2020-10-09
Wave Like Home
Wave Like Home
2,140,977 2:56 2008-10-05
Old Friend
Old Friend
2,111,036 3:10 2008-10-05
I Knew You
I Knew You
2,110,628 4:12 2020-10-09
Tybee Island
Tybee Island
2,076,065 3:17 2011-10-11
The Moon Is Blue
The Moon Is Blue
1,981,639 4:39 2021-03-24
Doves - Vince Clarke Remix
Doves - Vince Clarke Remix
1,913,159 5:29 2014-08-04
City's Face
City's Face
1,846,653 3:51 2020-10-09
Tomorrow
Tomorrow
1,763,240 3:32 2012-09-03
The Fight
The Fight
1,749,445 4:27 2024-01-26
Last Christmas
Last Christmas
1,319,406 4:40 2022-11-02
Give Me The Ghost Back
Give Me The Ghost Back
1,274,592 3:17 2024-01-26
Corner of My Eye
Corner of My Eye
1,234,062 3:53 2024-01-26
Glimpse
Glimpse
1,215,814 3:16 2024-09-04
Follow You (pangea version)
Follow You (pangea version)
1,141,576 2:40 2008-08-05
Seize a Shark
Seize a Shark
1,123,217 2:23 2008-10-05
One More Second - Future Islands Remix
One More Second - Future Islands Remix
1,083,669 4:10 2020-11-20
Pangea
Pangea
1,062,806 3:07 2008-10-05
Iris
Iris
1,059,161 3:44 2024-01-26
Virgo Distracts
Virgo Distracts
1,019,891 2:41 2010-04-06
Tin Man (Extended Version)
Tin Man (Extended Version)
1,009,122 4:54 2010-04-06
Escape Artist
Escape Artist
980,658 3:06 2008-10-05
Pinnochio
Pinnochio
963,732 2:60 2009-05-04
Awake & Dreaming
Awake & Dreaming
851,434 4:42 2010-04-06
For Sure - Washed Out Remix
For Sure - Washed Out Remix
849,424 4:46 2021-07-13
Long Flight
Long Flight
825,654 5:12 2010-09-21
In the Fall
In the Fall
812,764 4:49 2010-09-21
The Happiness of Being Twice
The Happiness of Being Twice
806,207 3:16 2009-05-04
For Sure - Dan Deacon Remix - Edit
For Sure - Dan Deacon Remix - Edit
800,392 4:05 2021-01-12
The Garden Wheel
The Garden Wheel
790,035 2:48 2024-01-26
The Sickness
The Sickness
759,379 4:01 2024-01-26
Little Dreamer
Little Dreamer
759,278 2:58 2010-09-21
Seasons (Waiting On You) - Live from Spotify SXSW 2014
Seasons (Waiting On You) - Live from Spotify SXSW 2014
757,299 3:40 2014-06-17
An Apology
An Apology
662,599 4:20 2010-09-21
Overdose - Future Islands Remix
Overdose - Future Islands Remix
468,921 3:37 2014-01-01
Thrill (Did They Hear Me Calling) - Egyptian Lover Remix
Thrill (Did They Hear Me Calling) - Egyptian Lover Remix
440,355 6:40 2021-06-08
For Sure - Dan Deacon Remix
For Sure - Dan Deacon Remix
428,130 9:15 2021-01-12
A Dream of You and Me - Live from Spotify SXSW 2014
A Dream of You and Me - Live from Spotify SXSW 2014
378,363 3:49 2014-06-17
Hit the Coast - Smallboy Remix
Hit the Coast - Smallboy Remix
375,266 7:05 2021-07-13
City's Face - Carl Cox Remix
City's Face - Carl Cox Remix
363,228 5:53 2021-08-11
Back in the Tall Grass - Live from Spotify SXSW 2014
Back in the Tall Grass - Live from Spotify SXSW 2014
362,552 3:47 2014-06-17
Plastic Beach - Moss Of Aura Remix
Plastic Beach - Moss Of Aura Remix
262,635 4:11 2021-06-08
Thrill - COMPUTER DATA Remix
Thrill - COMPUTER DATA Remix
203,362 6:39 2021-07-13
The Painter - Alle Alle Remix
The Painter - Alle Alle Remix
196,025 3:51 2021-06-08
Beautiful Beaches - Future Islands Remix
Beautiful Beaches - Future Islands Remix
194,000 3:50 2021-08-20
Despicable Animal - Moss of Aura / Future Islands Remix
Despicable Animal - Moss of Aura / Future Islands Remix
147,132 4:58 2015-07-31
Born in a War - Sudan Archives Remix
Born in a War - Sudan Archives Remix
119,012 2:54 2021-08-11
Waking - Controller 7 Remix
Waking - Controller 7 Remix
79,552 4:33 2021-08-11
Balance
Balance
75,071 3:52 2016-08-05

New releases

Glimpse
Glimpse
2024-09-04
[4AD]
People Who Aren’t There Anymore
People Who Aren’t There Anymore
2024-01-26
[4AD]
Deep In The Night
Deep In The Night
2023-08-15
[4AD]
Last Christmas
Last Christmas
2022-11-02
[4AD]
King of Sweden
King of Sweden
2022-02-16
[4AD]
Peach
Peach
2021-08-18
[4AD]
ALAYA Remixes EP 3
ALAYA Remixes EP 3
2021-08-11
[4AD]
ALAYA Remixes EP 2
ALAYA Remixes EP 2
2021-07-13
[4AD]
ALAYA Remixes EP 1
ALAYA Remixes EP 1
2021-06-08
[4AD]
The Moon Is Blue
The Moon Is Blue
2021-03-24
[4AD]
For Sure (Dan Deacon Remix)
For Sure (Dan Deacon Remix)
2021-01-12
[4AD]
As Long As You Are
As Long As You Are
2020-10-09
[4AD]
For Sure
For Sure
2020-07-08
[4AD]
The Far Field
The Far Field
2017-04-07
[4AD]
The Chase
The Chase
2015-04-29
[4AD]
Seasons (Waiting on You) [BADBADNOTGOOD Reinterpretation]
Seasons (Waiting on You) [BADBADNOTGOOD Reinterpretation]
2014-12-02
[4AD]
Doves (Vince Clarke Remix)
Doves (Vince Clarke Remix)
2014-08-04
[4AD]
Spotify Session
Spotify Session
2014-06-17
[4AD]
Singles
Singles
2014-03-24
[4AD]
Seasons (Waiting on You)
Seasons (Waiting on You)
2014-03-17
[4AD]
Tomorrow
Tomorrow
2012-09-03
[Ideas For Housecrafts]
On the Water
On the Water
2011-10-11
[Thrill Jockey]
Undressed
Undressed
2010-09-21
[Ideas For Housecrafts]
In Evening Air
In Evening Air
2010-05-04
[Thrill Jockey]
In the Fall
In the Fall
2010-04-06
[Ideas For Housecrafts]
Feathers & Hallways
Feathers & Hallways
2009-05-04
[Ideas For Housecrafts]
Wave Like Home
Wave Like Home
2008-10-05
[Ideas For Housecrafts]
Follow You (pangea version)
Follow You (pangea version)
2008-08-05
[307 Knox Records]