Future Islands: Ran

Inherently powerful and exuberantly warm, despite the occasional lyrical darkness, the music of Future Islands carries a force that few bands can match. With “Ran,” the first single from their forthcoming album The Far Field, everything we’ve come to love about the band is in place: howling balladry, uplifting synths and a bass-line one can grab ahold of. It’s a strong indicator of what to …

If We Were All Elephants

In describing elephants by their almost mystical elements (like sensing the weather both near and far, using their femurs to listen) “Being a Beast” author Charles Foster builds a profile of profound beauty. Placing this profile in conjunction with one of contemporary urban living, Foster illuminates all that makes the animals gentle, loving and unique. From reciprocal altruism to the depths of consciousness, the giant …

Sin Fang, Sóley + Örvar Smárason: Random Haiku Generator

Icelandic musicians Sin Fang, sóley and Örvar Smárason (of Múm) have announced that they’ll be releasing a collaborative track at the end of every month during 2017. The first, “Random Haiku Generator,” carries an almost mystical balladry. Electronic flourishes complement all three vocalists as the lyrics—described as “a confusing commentary on modern life”—impart a complex but beautiful gravity.