SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: FUTURE ISLANDS – FROM A HOLE IN THE FLOOR TO A FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

FUTURE ISLANDS
FROM A HOLE IN THE FLOOR TO A FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
4AD

Has it really been two decades since Future Islands found their way onto the airwaves for the first time? It certainly has, and From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth is the band’s way of celebrating, with oddities, obscurities, and fan favourites appearing on this sprawling 20-track effort.

You’ll know if you like this from the beginning, because it’s not exactly breaking new ground, here; it’s the same mixes of bouncy, anthemic pop songs and synth soundscapes that have served the band so well.

That’s not to say it’s samey, because they break in some really nice things here. That can be as simple as the fairground pier-style disturbing groove of “Happiness of Being Twice” or the instrumental dreaminess of (surprisingly enough) “Awake and Dreaming,” but either way, you’re hearing some gold here. Later songs like “Sail” and “The Chase” also hit very well, but “Cotton Flower” was the big gem for me.

Either way, if you’re a fan, and maybe even if you’re unsure, delve into this epic. There’s something here lots of people can enjoy, and ‘joy’ might be the key word. If these are the songs they left on the cutting-room floor at times, it’s no wonder they’ve been one of the most fun acts in music for this long.

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