Future Islands: People Who Aren't There Anymore (digital outlets)

On this, their seventh album, Future Islands' frontman/writer Samuel T. Herring – also an actor – delivers every emotion as if it's on the surface of his skin as he immerses himself (and his audience) in the emotional fallout of a recent break-up.

“I am waiting, I’m not breaking I lie, tell myself, 'it’s okay', when it's not quite” on The Tower; “When I’m stuck inside this room without you and you’re still asleep, I'm like a prowling lion (Deep in the Night); “I'm just an animal that strains against my line. I push and pull the cord, to make me feel alive. I had to fight to wrest the reins back on my life” (Give Me the Ghost Back).

And so on.

Herring's relentless self-centredness makes for performative sincerity but is akin to overwrought am-dram theatrics by a hollowed-out Fine Young Cannibals.

The first-person emotions driving these relentlessly earnest and therapeutic lyrics arrive atop widescreen 1980s synth landscapes (Corner of My Eye) or to driving dance beats.

Despite that, over the long haul this is enervating.

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You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here