Future Islands, "Singles"

“SINGLES”

4AD

What made synth-pop so radical the first time around was its tension between dry delivery and ecstatic release, between true machines and true heart. Three decades later, those things aren’t in opposition anymore, so when one arrives without the other, it’s news.

Future Islands, a Baltimore band, has split them asunder on “Singles,” its moody, pulpy fourth album. The synth-pop skeletons here are alluring: “Singles” succeeds in accessing the unconscious pleasures associated with the cold percussion and computer melodies of the early and mid-1980s.

But then there’s the frontman, Samuel T. Herring, more a moaner than a singer, who never quite gets to the release on this album that, despite its adeptness, ultimately comes off as restrained. Sometimes, on songs like “Light House,” his reserve takes on an almost British quality, accent included. This persists, despite the apparent depth of feeling on “Spirit” and “Doves” or the lushness of “Like the Moon.” Herring nails the hurt, but never leavens it.

“Singles” captures an eclectic band doubling down on one of its ideas, one which had been a high point of its last two albums, “On the Water” and particularly the strong “In Evening Air” (both on the Thrill Jockey Records label). But it’s worth remembering this is a band with varied inclinations, which peek through in a few spots on this album. Herring unleashes some deep, dark death metal growls on “Fall From Grace.” And he also raps, apparently. Maybe his true pleasures are still waiting to be unearthed.

ON TOUR: Saturday — Doug Fir Lounge, Portland; SOLD OUT; www.ticketfly.com or 877-435-9849.

Sunday — Cozmic Pizza, Eugene; www.cozmicpresents.com or 541-338-9333.

— Jon Caramanica,

The New York Times