London based quartet signs to Frenchkiss Records.

Stargazing references aside as the stars might be closer than ever. ISLAND are not a band at the beginning of their musical career anymore. This is now the band with more confidence and poise, and they’ve just landed their first record deal.

After selling out their previous headline show at London’s Scala last November, and playing support slots with Palace across Europe, ISLAND are now gearing up to swap the stage for a recording studio. But before that happens they grace us with their impeccable live performance one more time.

It is a Wednesday night when I’m heading down to one of London’s most iconic venues, Heaven, to catch the band play. ISLAND‘s music has been quite a pleasant accompaniment to my recent months, but after watching them perform a few times already, my expectations have grown. I wonder if they can still surprise.

As the men of the night join us commencing the set, they neatly intertwine new offerings with well-known earlier material. Waves lightly shines with summery vibrant melodies whilst Girl and I’ve Been Searching are a nod towards the band’s debut EP, Girl. As much as the first seduces with dark elegant bass lines, courtesy of James Wolfe, and Toby Richards‘ well-defined drum work that makes the rhythmic align so effortlessly, the latter fully captures thanks to Rollo Doherty‘s passionate deep vocals.

However, the tracks taken from their most recent EP, A Place You Like, stand out significantly. The essence of ISLAND‘s soundscape lies within the cohesion of magnetic guitars, led by guitarist Jack Raeder. Having said that, A Place You Like shapes delicate but vivid sequences, just as Dreaming Of patches the ethereal and determined elements together. The song arrangements fall luminous and affectionate at the same time.

Perhaps, ISLAND are not your everyday band to deliver a rowdy night out, but clearly there are moments when a little bit of movement occurs. Come With Me brings along the bashful hip swings while the endearing All You Ever Needed Was Love sees a few tears being shed. Worth to mention, the guys do an excellent job with all the modest dance moves and hair flicks onstage as they don’t hide the excitement about joining Frenchkiss Records family. “Upstairs, we just signed our first ever album deal!” we hear from the vocalist as he takes another sip of his beer. Surely, the party will not seize for quite a while.

To accompany the record deal news ISLAND present some fresh material as well, announcing they’re about to head straight into the studio. God Forgive and Feels Like Air are just a few amongst many to introduce the more polished and mature sound. Delving into the eerie aesthetic, very unique for the band, they gradually transform into a prominent live act. And naturally, this is just the beginning.

With over two million streams on Spotify alone, Stargazer is a heavenly tune and rather obvious opening to the encore. The track, beloved by many, closes what started it all in the first place. The debut that drew many eyes and ears towards the band’s direction, steadily unravelling the concoction of euphony they master so well.

As people are singing along and dancing to the upbeat Spotless Mind, I am now certain to express that ISLAND‘s musical endeavour has evolved in a refined manner. Despite the fact that their songs veer around similarity, the foundation has been strengthened extensively. ISLAND have become more confident in what they are doing, and as it appears their own words might even count for it: “No more gazing at stars / It’s more love”. Love or not, these guys are clearly onto something great.

Photos: Kasia Osowiecka