SXSW has been unsurprisingly killing it in the music game recently. We recently posted about Damon Albarn, best known as the visionary behind the multi-platinum Grammy Award winning virtual band Gorillaz, and his first ever live performance of “Clint Eastwood” with fellow Gorillaz members Del the Funkee Homosapien and Dan the Automator, and special guest Snoop Dogg (that performance was also the first time the Gorillaz members had ever met). Damon Albarn was just named the Grulke Prize winner for Career Act by SXSW, and so we thought we would celebrate the occasion by showing some love for another recently-announced Grulke Prize winner: Future Islands.

Future Islands (2014 Grulke Prize winner for Developing US Act) are a band from my beloved hometown of, joined by the likes of Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors, and Dan Deacon. They just released a first listen of their new album Singles to NPR, so check it out below and get a taste for yourself. Let us know how you like it. Future Islands will also be coming to Webster Hall April 30 so get your tickets now.