From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth

From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth

Following two decades creating atmospheric synth-pop, Future Islands pulled together 20 B-sides, rare songs, and fan favorites from their 20 years of existence on From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth—the title taken from the album’s kicky second track “Pinnochio,” originally released in 2009. The celebratory album wanders down memory lane, accompanied by vocalist Samuel T. Herring’s trademark warble, with stops for the Baltimore band’s ethereal anthems—some known to streaming and some not. (Previously, the ambient “Cotton Flower” only existed as a digital download and 7-inch vinyl pressing.) A journey through their deep cuts ends with 2024’s “Glimpse”—released months after their previous full-length People Who Aren’t There Anymore—which grapples with loss and moving on after devastation. “The pictures tossed in the fire/The memories lost, saved the wrong ones,” Herring sings. But at least Future Islands preserved what’s here.

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