Today’s headline and today’s song? A bit on the nose if you ask me, but that’s the lyrical stylings of Future Islands for you, and in particular, new single “Thrill” (more on that below, you know the drill!). In honor of the Baltimore synth pop band’s forthcoming album, “As Long As You Are” (dropping Friday!), we’ll examine some suitably dance-ready hiking boots (from Huckberry and Danner, as shown above) and of course, the perfect Future Islands track for a fall day. Call it a full rundown of crucial fall essentials, with a bit of a “Future Islands” theme — to me, there’s nothing more fitting for the season than a contemplative walk, leather boots laced up and Sam Herring’s contemplative lyrics in my Bluetooth headphones. It seems I keep coming back to those themes, but then again, it’s quite the season for it, right? To help you gear up accordingly for fall, you can also check out my regular blog, serving up menswear seven days a week. But for now, let’s talk about what tunes to spin, what to shop and what to sip this week. Alright, here we go.
What To Listen To This Week: “Thrill” By Future Islands
As promised, ladies and gentlemen, “Thrill” by Future Islands. A moody, contemplative, slow burn of a track from the normally upbeat Baltimore synth rockers, “Thrill” is a promising sign of things to come from the band’s imminently approaching new album. I personally can’t wait to see how the rest of the hotly anticipated record (the band’s first since 2017’s “The Far Field”) shakes out — how about you? Whenever I listen to Future Islands, I know I’m going to gain some new perspective, I’m going to gain some enlightment and I’m going to gain some quiet reflection, as frontman Sam Herring sings about so eloquently here. “Thrill” is to me, the sort of track perfectly suited for a fall and winter day, coffee in hand, thinking of the past and yet planning for the future. That’s what Future Islands does so well, after all. I’m also *thrilled* (pun intended) to be tuning into the band’s only live show of 2020, a special livestream concert from Baltimore. Talk about a perfect Friday night, ehh? Were it a regular concert, I’d likely lace up what you might call my dancing boots and hitting the road to check the band out in person — speaking of dancing boots …
What To Shop This Week: Huckberry x Danner 917 Logger Boots
Can you actually “dance” in a pair of boots? Well, if they’re the extremely well-designed, durable-yet-lightweight Huckberry x Danner 917 Logger Boots, then my answer is … yes. After all, I’ve worn some lightweight chukka boots to see Future Islands play (way back at Panorama 2017!) and did just fine. In particular, these Huckberry x Danner boots check all the right boxes when it comes to a versatile, rugged pair of boots. Heck, it’s worth noting that this pair has been an incredibly hot seller, but Huckberry has plenty of the best hiking boots available elsewhere via its digital shelves, too. It’s the latest standout offering from a very fruitful partnership that teams the best of Danner’s Pacific Northwest know-how with Huckberry’s adventurous spirit, and that results in one heck of a pair of handsome leather boots.
Shop Huckberry x Danner
What To Sip This Week: Union Craft Brewing Skip Jack Pils via Drizly
In keeping with the theme of today’s newsletter, let’s head on down to Baltimore to check out Union Craft Brewing’s Skip Jack Pils. As it were, Future Islands actually played a show at the brewery last September, and it’s pretty fitting to pair up great craft beer with the stellar and well-crafted synth pop bands tunes (see what I did there??). While it’s a great season for Oktoberfest beers, it never hurts to have one of the best pilsners handy for everyday sipping. Who’s with me on that? As I said, if I were able to be in Baltimore for this show, I’d assuredly get the Skip Jack Pils from Union Craft Brewing, but since I can’t make it, well, I very well might try to get some delivered via alcohol delivery service Drizly. How’s that for a Future Islands-themed weekend, ehh?
The Final Pick: Everlane Standard Fit Japanese Oxford Shirt
Let’s close things out on another fittingly Future Islands-related note. Of the times I’ve seen Future Islands play (including at Brooklyn Steel back in October 2017), it seems Mr. Sam Herring himself sticks to an onstage uniform pretty readily. That uniform? High-top sneakers, slim black or blue jeans and of course, a classic Oxford shirt, with a rotating selection of colors. It’s subtly stylish and straightforward, yet cool all the same — and of course, you very well might sweat through your shirt, as Sam does, if you try to keep up with the famously active, endlessly moving lead singer onstage. So, that’s where the Everlane Standard Fit Japanese Oxford Shirt comes into play. It’s made with premium Japanese Oxford fabric, some of the best out there, for a reliable fit and feel. You can’t go wrong with one of the best Oxford shirts in a cool fall colorway, so let’s really drive home the Future Islands theme today, shall we?
Who’s ready to dance through the rest of this week with Future Islands in your headphones? It seems that these days, contemplative and yet energetic music is helping me power my way through writing my blog, covering the best menswear for Maxim and GearMoose, and just generally doing as best I can these days. If that sounds like something you need in your life, there’s hardly a better place to start than the soulful, spiritual and rewarding music of this excellent Baltimore synth pop band. Consider this your introduction (if you need one!), and be sure to supplement it the right way: With a nice, cold Union Craft Brewing Skip Jack Pils, one of the best Oxford shirts and of course, some easy-to-wear, rugged leather boots from Huckberry and Danner. Sounds like one heck of a combination, right? No doubt about it. Make it a great week, thanks for reading & we’ll see you back here on Saturday.