User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

The Far Field
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Far Field Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth full-length release for the synthpop trio features a guest appearance from Debbie Harry and was produced by John Congleton.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Ran
Ingest, where it goes, nobody sees but me So perfect and so sweet But the rest, feels incomplete Like the rabbit's foot I keep In the locket, with no... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. The A.V. Club
    Apr 7, 2017
    91
    The raw passion of Future Island’s past work still dominates, but with more complexity in the arrangements, and more push and pull in the ongoing dialogue between the voice and the instruments behind it.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Apr 12, 2017
    80
    The Far Field is carried by light catharsis, diffused and mild-tempered fun, virtuosic vocal delivery, and steel-clean production.
  3. Q Magazine
    Mar 21, 2017
    80
    To make warm, immediate pop music that sounds so out of the ordinary is a rare feat. [May 2017, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. musicOMH.com
    May 17, 2017
    80
    An album ram-packed full of top-notch melodic synth-pop--a triumph from start to finish.
  5. Under The Radar
    Apr 7, 2017
    75
    Future Islands haven't plateaued; they've managed a follow-up record that can look their best work in the eye.
  6. AllMusic
    Apr 7, 2017
    70
    The Far Field isn't a failure or a misstep, since there are so many good songs and their basic sound is still so strong. It's a shame that the band and Congleton felt the need to pretty things up, to make them sound more sophisticated and domesticated. It means that despite Herring's bravura performance, the album feels like a watered-down and lesser version of Singles.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    Apr 5, 2017
    50
    Apart from the new wave prom dance of 'Candles', The Far Field plays out like a treadmill--same tempos, same whining siren wails from the synths, same bass undulation.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. dgassman3
    Apr 11, 2017
    9
    I don't know if there is a band that knows its niche better than these guys. The entire album flows together so well, and perfectly epitomizesI don't know if there is a band that knows its niche better than these guys. The entire album flows together so well, and perfectly epitomizes why Future Islands are the king of synth-pop. A refreshing, groovy 50 minutes with great replay value.… Expand
  2. Ricko
    Feb 8, 2018
    8
    Excellent follow up to their brilliant "Singles" album and works well as a companion piece to that album. "The Far Field" maintains the FutureExcellent follow up to their brilliant "Singles" album and works well as a companion piece to that album. "The Far Field" maintains the Future Islands sound, thumping bass, distinctive vocals, general 21st century new wave vibe. It's easy on the ear and on the mind - all in all an enjoyable experience. I thought I preferred "Singles" as I thought it had stronger songs but I have found myself listening to this one more often. The first third section of the album is particularly superb.… Expand
  4. Music_Observer
    May 16, 2017
    7
    This synthpop adventure was rather wayward and watered down, especially with the rather unpleasant vocals, but it still had pleasurableThis synthpop adventure was rather wayward and watered down, especially with the rather unpleasant vocals, but it still had pleasurable moments through steady harmonic flow and constant energy to make the experience worthwhile. My Score: 119/180 (Good) = 6.6/10… Expand
  5. DavidWasHere
    Jul 21, 2017
    7
    While nowhere near as immediate as Singles, Future Islands continue with another winning 80s inspired synthpop and new wave record withWhile nowhere near as immediate as Singles, Future Islands continue with another winning 80s inspired synthpop and new wave record with glistening synths and the impassioned vocals of Samuel Herring. Sure it's a tad bit formulaic, but it is a formula that does work!… Expand
  6. StevenX
    Jul 29, 2017
    3
    Never has a band gotten so far on one TV performance, and rarely has a band coasted like this after such an opportunity. The beat is soNever has a band gotten so far on one TV performance, and rarely has a band coasted like this after such an opportunity. The beat is so monotonous here, the music so unchallenging and predictable, that when they slow down on "Candles" you double-check to make sure it's the same disc - it's nearly the only song that doesn't sound just like every other song on the album, or most of the last one. You can't see Samuel Herring dancing here, the musical autopilot negates most of his vocals - after two listens I couldn't remember more than a couple of lyric phrases (although his going inexplicably flat on "Beauty Of The Road" perked up my ears a bit), and the WTF death-growl moments that got your attention on TV haven't returned (or been replaced with something more interesting) to keep it. Sit this beside the Letterman appearance three long years ago now and you may realize just how much the gimmick suckered you in. Cemented in naked-emperor cult status, these islands better drift from formula soon if they expect much of a future.… Expand

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To - Knocked Loose
92 Ten Fold - Yaya Bey
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
91 Funeral for Justice - Mdou Moctar
90 Spell Blanket: Collected Demos 2006-2009 - Broadcast
90 Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
All Current Music »