Islands – Ski Mask

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After Man Man’s release a couple months back, I began asking myself when Islands’ Ski Mask was going to be unleashed on the unsuspecting masses and how this journey down the rabbit hole would compare to their indie darling cousins’. Nick Thorburn’s keen knack for melody has resonated recently through his collaborations with members of Man Man in the doompop outfit Mister Heavenly as well as a surprising appearance on El-P’s latest release; with such diversity behind the wheel, I couldn’t wait to hear the latest effort from the former Unicorn. The most notable of its accomplishments, is how seamlessly the one compliments the other in a strange (and possibly intentional?) way.  Where Man Man’s album opts for a darker, 50’s-inspired back beat, Islands challenges its avid listeners with slightly more straightforward pop sensibilities- tinged in an elegant Flaming Lips-esque acid-mindedness.  Despite previous Islands efforts being arguably hit or miss, “Ski Mask” is unabashedly a band taking a step in the right direction with their best foot forward.  Thorburn’s attention to sonic layers is most prevalent on the ghostly “Winged Beat Drums”, mashing subtle B movie textures with familiar echoes of summertime indie pop harmonies that may very well melt the hearts of even the most caustic naysayers.  

Buy SKI MASK on Vinyl

Listen to Winged Drum Beats