From Monteal, the band Islands are on tour in support of their new album A Sleep & A Forgetting. They play two shows at the First Unitarian Church here in Philly on Friday, February 24 and will be here that day for an XPN Free At Noon show.

Islands is an indie rock outfit hailing from Canada, and featured on World Cafe with their second album in 2008. Now on their fourth release, this dynamic foursome are back at XPN, performing a Free at Noon and showcasing the diverse influences of their latest, "A Sleep & A Forgetting".

Islands was born from the ashes of lo-fi band The Unicorns in 2005, and their first release had them touring with Metric and establishing a reputation for diverse art rock with depth. Since then, Islands has released three more studio albums, toured internationally, and gone through a few lineup changes. Now on a fourth full length, the members of Islands have created the most personal collection of songs yet. Frontman Nicholas Thorburn began writing "A Sleep & A Forgetting" one year ago on February 14, and now the album is being released exactly one year later. Infused with Island's special brand of dark yet catchy pop, "A Sleep & A Forgetting" has hints of introspective folk influences, layers of glimmering instrumentals, and Thorburn'slyrical take on soul. The result is astonishing--more honest and open than previous Islands' releases, yet a confessional offering with bounce.

Don't miss this Free at Noon with Islands--given a reputation for infectious and touching performances, this is going to one great way to start the weekend.

Website: islandsareforever.com/
Myspace: myspace.com/islands
Facebook: facebook.com/islandsareforever
Recent Release: A Sleep & A Forgetting
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Label: Anti
Hometown: Montreal, Canada