Future Islands - In Evening Air

From the opening refrain of Baltimore trio Future Islands’ official sophomore release we’re met by the rabid growl of singer and lynchpin Sam Herring; at times sounding as though the tendons of his neck are tearing with each guttural surge. Beyond Herring's goosebump-inducing whorl, In Evening Air is a rough cut of rusting synthesis set between the sub-base shimmer of 808 kicks and neon chimes, as found on the superb, John Hughes-styled, 80s homage of Tin Man.

In fact, it’s hard to find a moment on In Evening Air which doesn’t pay some heavy lip service to the distinctive sound of the Reagan-era America, albeit cut through with some bleeding-edge chaos. It may only span nine tracks – and a mere thirty six minutes – but there’s no question that Future Islands’ electric mix of then-and-now will leave us blissfully content to hold on in their limbo for many moons to come. [Paul Neeson]