There's life in this tunnel

The latest single from Future Islands and end-of-summer picks

If you read this newsletter regularly and follow me on Twitter, perhaps it’s pretty easy, at times, to guess the featured track every Tuesday and Saturday here at The Style Guide In Brief. Earlier this month, it was certainly pretty easy — I featured my new favorite song of the moment, “In The Car Outside” by The Killers. I took a break last week during a family vacation Up North in Michigan, but today’s newsletter called for a full dispatch celebrating one of my favorite bands, Baltimore synth pop favorites Future Islands. The band released a soul-stirring, warm new track last week, “Peach,” and believe me when I say it’s a real gem (a “peach,” even) of a song.

It’s absolutely the kind of track that begs to be played on repeat, as all the best Future Islands songs tend to capture that same feeling (I’ve talked about the band numerous times in the past in this very newsletter). Any time one of my most-listened-to bands of the past decade drops a new song, I’m certainly inclined to sit up and take notice — and of course, listen on repeat. I hope you feel the same way once you dive into this track below. Beyond that, we’ll keep with tradition in my music-menswear-craft beer newsletter and will feature some shopping and sipping picks for the week ahead. Be sure to check your inbox on Saturday for another edition of this newsletter, where I’ll be highlighting a big-time story I’ve been working on this month. For now, your new soundtrack awaits.

What To Listen To This Week: “Peach” By Future Islands

Lead singer Sam Herring of Future Islands, one of my musical and personal heroes, does such a vivid job of conveying a wide emotional range with only the power of his voice, and it’s all on display in soft, poignant, sweet-yet-sad form here. It’s both a solemn nod to the pandemic, perhaps (as Herring sings, “Death is in season, and it’s pushing me ‘round”) but moreso to the staying power of finding beauty in life and persevering. It’s a classic Future Islands song in that regard, as the band’s music explores how to find hope in the midst of despair (“Light House,” off the 2014 classic “Singles,” is also a stellar example of this approach), and Herring frequently notes he’s “not giving up, not today” — wise words to keep in mind, indeed. With a bouncing, grooving bass line and characteristic synth flourishes, it’s destined to become a live staple of Future Islands’ cathartic live show, which I personally can’t wait to see for myself once again next month. And as live music makes a cautious return, well, it’s high time to start getting dressed for concerts again. On that note, you know what’s on the way: My featured shopping pick for expert concert style.

What To Shop This Week: Ministry of Supply Apollo Shirt

Over the years, as I’ve attended shows across the country and across the globe, I’ve tried to make things as simple as possible for myself when traveling and getting dressed. After al, hauling a weekender bag on a train or a plane for a few nights requires packing light. Add in a little onstage style inspiration via a guy like Sam Herring, and it actually makes packing up, hitting the road and then dressing for a show that much easier. I’m not one to wear, say, a tank-top to a rock concert. I prefer a casual, cool stretch buttondown shirt more often than not, kind of like this Ministry of Supply shirt. It’s also polished enough to wear to the office or to a meeting with slim blue jeans and classic chukka boots, so it’s almost like getting two shirts for the price of one. Your day-to-night wardrobe is all set.

What To Sip This Week: Bell’s Oberon

Now, this beer pick isn’t quite related to Future Islands, but it is in fact a beer I’ve been sipping on these past few weeks during my extended Michigan trip. Although Oberon is normally released in the spring, it’s sometimes in short supply in NYC, so I make sure to get my fill when I’m here in the Mitten State once again. It’s a certified classic, and every bit as refreshing now as it’s always been through the years. Get this timeless pick delivered via Drizly while it’s still summer, and enjoy one as you listen to Future Islands (doctor’s orders).

The Final Pick: SeaVees Mariner Boots (Huckberry Exclusive)

No end-of-summer guide is complete without some sneakers you can reliably wear into fall, hence today’s recommended final pick. Wear these stylish sneakers to a bonfire or a brewery, or keep ‘em handy to go see Future Islands (safely) on tour this fall. It’s certainly not a misstep to get as much wear as you can out of these kicks while the weather is still nice enough to do so (coming from someone who’s been through both Michigan and NYC winters). In fact, the SeaVees Mariner Boots, with their weather-ready construction and high-top build, are perfectly well-suited for stepping from summer into fall, synth pop concerts and all. It really is that simple.

In my humble opinion, the chance to listen to a new Future Islands song is more than enough reason to get fired up this week. And yet, things only get better when you consider the added prospect of shopping for some late summer finds and sipping on an ideal beer like Oberon. Who’s ready to hit the road in style once again? I think you’ll find the SeaVees Mariner Boots are just what you need on your feet, while the Ministry of Supply Apollo Shirt is the go-anywhere shirt you can wear right now and into fall. Naturally, my favorite pick today remains the standout track “Peach” By Future Islands — if you like what you hear, let me know in the comments. Cheers!