Future Islands – ‘From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth’ Out Now
‘From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth’ by Future Islands
Available today on blue & apricot LP, CD and digitally
Over the past twenty years, Future Islands have travelled a rare arc, from promising newcomers to best-kept secret, from cult favorites to heroes of the genre. As they reach this remarkable milestone, they resist the obvious move.
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Instead of a ‘best-of’ compilation victory lap, Future Islands present From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth – an immediate and accessible collection – half of which has never appeared on streaming services – comprising alternate hits, rarities, and fan favorites that showcase the band’s palette and bring further color to their uniquely universal appeal.
As the title suggests, this double-LP traces the group’s journey from humble origins toward ever-widening horizons. Twenty songs for twenty years, four members of the band, four sides of vinyl. Future Islands have always been more than a viral moment; their career contains extraordinary depth and nuance, often overshadowed by louder peaks. These songs reveal a band comfortable with subtlety, grace, and emotional endurance – and they have never sounded more eternal.
The songs were first gathered into a playlist by bass lynchpin William Cashion, who also chose the title – “I’ve always loved the imagery of that lyric,” he makes clear, “The hole in the floor is the everyday, but the fountain is the magic that happens when the life you dreamed about actually becomes the one you’re living. It’s the dream and the reality existing in the same room.” A well-known Tennessee Williams quote talks of this kind of duration – “time is the longest distance between two places.” It is time that really separates the floor from the fountain.
Future Islands can still swell and surge, but this release turns toward something quieter and more reflective. “This is for everyone who has carried these songs with them,” Cashion explains, “from the first house parties to the rooms we’re playing today.”
Coinciding with both the album and their 20th anniversary, Future Islands is also in the midst of a run of hometown shows across North Carolina (Wilmington, Carrboro, Asheville, and Greenville) and Baltimore — the ‘Fountain of Youth Tour’ — with support from friends and collaborators including Dan Deacon, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, Lonnie Walker, and more. Tonight, they perform in Asheville at The Orange Peel. More information and tickets are available HERE.
Future Islands – From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth
4AD0907
01. The Ink Well (2010)
Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: Split 7” with Lonnie Walker (Friends Records, FR003)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD
02. Pinnochio (2009)
Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: Feathers & Hallways 7” (Upset the Rhythm, UTR027)
Recorded at Ghost House in Oakland, CA during our first full US tour, 2008
Additional tracking at Chester’s house, Baltimore, MD
03. The Happiness of Being Twice (2009)
Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: Feathers & Hallways 7” (Upset the Rhythm, UTR027)
Recorded at Ghost House in Oakland, CA during our first full US tour, 2008
Additional tracking at Chester’s house, Baltimore, MD
04. In The Fall (2010)
Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Additional Vocals: Katrina Ford
Original Release: In the Fall EP (Thrill Jockey, Thrill 12.41)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD
05. Awake and Dreaming (2010)
Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Live Drums: Denny Bowen
Original Release: In the Fall EP (Thrill Jockey, Thrill 12.41)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD
06. Virgo Distracts (2010)
Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Live Drums: Denny Bowen
Original Release: In the Fall EP (Thrill Jockey, Thrill 12.41)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD
07. Find Love (2011)
Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: Before the Bridge 7” (Thrill Jockey, Thrill 284)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD
08. Cotton Flower (2012)
Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: LAMAC No. 2 split 7” with Ed Schrader’s Music Beat (Famous Class
Records, FC015)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD
09. The Fountain (2012)
Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: Tomorrow 7” (Upset the Rhythm, UTR055)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD
10. Tomorrow (2012)
Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: Tomorrow 7” (Upset the Rhythm, UTR055)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD
11. One Day (2014)
Produced by Chris Coady
Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Live Drums: Denny Bowen
Original Release: Seasons 7” (4AD, AD3406)
Recorded at Dreamland Recording Studios in Hurley, NY, during Singles sessions, Fall 2013
12. The Chase (2015)
Produced and Mixed by Jim Eno
Original Release: The Chase 7” (4AD, AD3517)
Recorded at Public Hi-Fi in Austin, TX, March 2015
13. Calliope (2018)
Produced and Mixed by John Congleton
Original Release: Adult Swim Singles Program
Recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, CA during The Far Field sessions, Fall 2016
14. Six Weeks (2017)
Produced and Mixed by John Congleton
Original Release: The Far Field Japanese bonus track (4AD, 4AD0001CDJ)
Recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, CA during The Far Field sessions, Fall 2016
15. Haunted By You (2015)
Produced and Mixed by Jim Eno
Original Release: The Chase 7” (4AD, AD3517)
Recorded at Public Hi-Fi in Austin, TX, March 2015
16. Sail (2025)
Produced by Steve Wright & Future Islands
Mixed by Chris Coady
Original Release: VIP tour-only 7”
Recorded at WrightWay Studios in Baltimore, MD during the As Long As You Are sessions
17. As Long As You Are (2025)
Produced by Steve Wright & Future Islands
Mixed by Chris Coady
Original Release: VIP tour-only 7”
Recorded at WrightWay Studios in Baltimore, MD during the As Long As You Are sessions
18. Days (2020)
Produced by Steve Wright & Future Islands
Mixed by Steve Wright
Original Release: As Long As You Are Japanese bonus track (4AD, 4AD0001CDJ)
Recorded at WrightWay Studios in Baltimore, MD during the As Long As You Are sessions
19. Rager (demo)
Produced by Steve Wright & Future Islands
Mixed by Chris Coady
Previously Unreleased
Recorded at home and WrightWay Studios in Baltimore, MD
20. Glimpse (2024)
Produced by Steve Wright & Future Islands
Mixed by Chris Coady & Steve Wright
Original Release: VIP tour-only 7” (4AD, 4AD0795)
Recorded at WrightWay Studios in Baltimore, MD during the PWATA session