Photo by Tom Hines

Future Islands are back. The Baltimore-based synth pop trio has announced the release of its fifth studio album, The Far Field, due out April 7th through 4AD. The lead single is called “Ran” and can be heard below. It’s a bass-led synth ballad that bears a passing resemblance to the group’s breakout 2014 hit “Seasons (Waiting On You)”.

As the follow-up to Future Islands’ unexpectedly successful 2014 album Singles, The Far Field is undoubtedly the most anticipated release of the band’s long career. It features string and horn arrangements by Patrick McMinn and live drums by Michael Lowry, who joined the band prior to their now-legendary performance of “Seasons (Waiting On You)” on Letterman. Also making a surprise appearance is Debbie Harry of Blondie, who sings a duet with frontman Samuel T. Herring on “Shadows”.

As the official press release explains it, The Far Field “brilliantly expresses the band’s central themes they’ve been exploring for the last decade: that there is power in emotional vulnerability, that one can find a way to laugh and cry in the same breath – and be stronger for it.” Sounds like something the world could use right about now.

The Far Field will be available digitally, on 180-gram white and standard black vinyl, on CD and cassette formats, and as a unique, first-of-its-kind miniature LP. Pre-order it here.

The Far Field Artwork:

The Far Field Track List:

01. Aladdin

02. Time On Her Side

03. Ran

04. Beauty Of The Road

05. Cave

06. Through The Roses

07. North Star

08. Ancient Water

09. Candles

10. Day Glow Fire

11. Shadows

12. Black Rose

Future Islands 2017 Tour Dates:

03/21 – Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle

04/16 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Music Festival

04/22 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Music Festival

04/27 – Glasgow, UK @ Barrowlands

04/28 – Leeds, UK @ Leeds University Refectory

04/29 – Liverpool, UK @ O2 Academy

04/30 – Brighton, UK @ Dome

05/02 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City

05/03 – Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy

05/06 – Barcelona, ES @ Razzmatazz

05/09 – Paris, FR @ Elysee Montmartre

05/25 – Providence, RI @ Lupo’s

05/26 – Ithaca, NY @ State Theatre

05/27 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall

05/28 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE

05/29 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore

05/30 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre

06/01 – Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel

06/02 – Ponte Vedra, FL @ Ponte Vedra Social Hall

06/03 – Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl

06/05 – St. Louis, MO @ Pageant

06/06 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera

06/07 – Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre

06/09 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room

06/08-11 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music Festival

06/27 – Cologne, DE @ Live Music Hall

06/30 – Werchter, BE @ Rock Werchter

07/06 – Dublin, IE @ Iveagh Gardens

07/28-30 – New York, NY @ Panorama Music Festival

08/16-19 – Tabuao, PT @ Paredes de Coura Festival

08/17-20 – Brecon Beacons, UK @ Green Man Festival