ISLAND RELEASES NEW ALBUM YESTERDAY PARK OUT NOW ON FRENCHKISS RECORDS LISTEN TO NEW SINGLE "BY YOUR SIDE”

Photo by Christian Cargill | download

Praise for ISLAND:

“‘Everyone’s The Same’ (is a) swaggered jam, built around punchy hooks and saturated by Doherty’s infectiously slick vocals, the track highlights the band’s versatile songwriting, partially honed during a year in lockdown in London." - American Songwriter

“‘Octopus’ is a slick, summery indie rock anthem" - The Wild Honey Pie

"The track oozes with hard hitting riffs and a passionate pleading lead vocal performance that hits hard in every fashion imaginable… (it) hits a raw emotional feeling that feels triumphant, honest and utterly sincere." - We All Want Someone To Shout For on “Everyone’s The Same”

"London quartet ISLAND have returned in 2021 with the seductive ‘Octopus,’ an intoxicating song radiating angst within its eight intimate and atmospheric folds." - Atwood Magazine

"'My Brother’ sends us waves of warm atmospheric riffs that capture the feeling of freedom and rush of novelty we experience when we decide to welcome change into our lives." - Aupium

"electrifying and passionate” - Wolf In a Suit on “Everyone’s The Same”

"'My Brother' just made us feel warm and happy all over. A dynamic melodic musical performance and a cool, affecting video -- we recommend it." - When You Motor Away

“‘Everyone’s The Same’ delivers the dense riffs and intensity that leaves you with goosebumps." - Aupium

Past praise for ISLAND:

"The one band everyone is raving about." - Huw Stephens BBC Radio 1

"Absolutely love" - Annie Mac BBC Radio 1

"Impeccable indie newcomers" - Clash

"One of the most exciting bands at the moment" - Wonderland

"If you're stateside, get a head start on these guys, show your friends

and be prepared for when they make it to a city near you." - IndieShuffle

"I've had them in my heart since their debut with Stargazer" - iheartmoosiq

"The sort of pensive, melancholy anthem of youth that just might propel them straight into the stratosphere." - Blackbook on "Ride"

"ISLAND favor rock over pop for their style of mainstream alternative music. And

Feels Like Air is better for it." - Earbuddy

Today, London’s ISLAND have released their highly anticipated sophomore album, Yesterday Park via Frenchkiss Records.

LISTEN TO YESTERDAY PARK HERE

Yesterday Park is ISLAND's first new material since 2019 and has seen them already rack up millions of streams as well as earning plaudits from a vast array of publications including American Songwriter, Gigwise, Clash, DIY, The Independent, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 and more.

Alongside the release of the album, the band have also shared the final single titled "By Your Side". As with all of the recent songs, the new anthemic ballad sees the band lean further into a theme of nostalgia that is at once poignant and sanguine, combining wistful and passionate vocals with deceptively intricate instrumentation that is at once hook-driven and dynamically expansive.

Speaking about the single, the band says, "'By Your Side' is a song about that messy world of relationships and close friendships. Sometimes complicated times call for simple songs, and 'By Your Side' is one of those."

LISTEN TO “BY YOUR SIDE” HERE

Yesterday Park covers a number of themes, but at its core, it is rooted in the band members' formative memories. When writing the record, ISLAND considered how their understanding of past experiences had shifted through the many different retrospective lenses they have. Questioning and tackling the complexities of modern life, the band aims to capture that feeling of looking back and finding the beauty in those simple moments that exist as silver-linings.

ISLAND had the majority of the album written just before lockdown in March last year, but, since taking that enforced pause, the songs have grown to take on new significance for them. Speaking on the album, the band go on to say, "Nostalgia is a feeling that has become more relevant for everyone in the last year, with more time and space to reflect on past experiences."

Yesterday Park was recorded in semi-locked-down London last summer with Mikko Gordon (Thom Yorke), their first time working with an outside producer. The result showcases the band experimenting with more complex production as they introduce new textures and recording techniques to expand and further hone in on a sound that has always been unique to ISLAND.

From the dulcet and cyclical album opener "Octopus," to the raw and direct slacker-rock anthem "Everyone's The Same," right through to the wistful, downtempo slow jam "My Brother," the contrast across the the band's new material perfectly highlights their unique dynamic range and risk taking in their new songwriting process.

Yesterday Park is the uninhibited sound of a band who’ve already achieved so much, who are now taking another big leap forward both musically and personally. While it's subject matter might be looking back to the past; ISLAND's new LP is a statement of intent that will find many looking forward to what is yet to come.