Nick Thorburn is a great multi-tasker. The former Unicorns frontman has most recently been splitting his time between scoring the mega-hit podcast Serial and releasing music under his newest musical moniker Nick Diamonds, but he somehow found the time to record two brand-new albums with Islands. This morning, the indie-rock group announced two completely separate full-length LPs (Should I Remain Here at Sea?, Taste) that will both be released on May 13, but they make it completely clear that they are not related works.
In addition to the reveal of two impending Islands records, the quartet premiered lead singles from both tracks over at Stereogum. Check out both tracks along with Thorburn’s annotations of both below.
“Back Into It” (Should I Remain Here at Sea?)
“‘Back Into It’ is a study in contradiction. It’s a bright, loose affair, with bubblegum backing vocals and major key guitar chugging, but you don’t have to dig that deep to hear the venom, acrimonious and sour. When someone rains on your parade, make rain on your parade lemonade.”
“Charm Offensive” (Taste)
“‘Charm Offensive’ is all sharp angles, smooth lines and mechanical melodies, but just underneath is a desire for the round edges, the soft corners, a loose swing and some crude revelry. I was trying to express that urge to find the good times, and let the bad ones go. To stop using songwriting as a pool to wallow in. To find the light, to sneak in, ‘pull back the shades, see the darkness fade.'”
Islands are also setting out on a two-month tour in support of these albums.
Islands tour dates
May
19 Montreal, QC – Bar Le “Ritz” P.D.B
20 Allston, MA – Great Scott
21 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall Of Williamsburg
22 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
24 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel
25 Columbus, OH – Skully’s Music Diner
26 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
27 Ferndale, MI – The Loving Touch
28 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
June
03 Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern
04 Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
05 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
07 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
09 Los Angeles, CA – The Teragram Ballroom
10 San Diego, CA – Casbah
11 Las Vegas, NV – Bunkhouse Saloon
Taste and Should I Remain Here at Sea? will both be released on May 13 via Pledge Music.
