World Cafe Playlist for 01/26/2026
Future Islands joins host Stephen Kallao
Sam Herring of Future Islands thought he was writing a record about being in love. It turned out to be a breakup album in disguise. The Baltimore band’s 2024 album, People Who Aren’t There Anymore, is filled with their signature indie synth-pop sound. Future Islands join us to talk about making it, including having two people co-mix the album.
Today’s Playlist
Air “Sexy Boy” Moon Safari
Future Islands “Give Me the Ghost Back” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Future Islands “The Tower” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Future Islands “Iris” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Future Islands “Seasons (Waiting on You)” Live Performance on David Letterman’s Late Show
Future Islands “The Garden Wheel” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Future Islands “Sun In The Morning” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Ellur “Missing Kid” At Home in My Mind
Fiona Apple “Heart of Gold” Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young
S.G. Goodman “I Can See the Devil” Planting by the Signs
Future Islands “Seasons (Waiting on You)” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Madison Cunningham “Break the Jaw” Ace
Tom Petty “I Won’t Back Down” Full Moon Fever
Sylvan Esso “Ferris Wheel” Free Love
Hour Two
Van Morrison “Caravan” Moondance
Couch “Slow Burn” Big Talk
Macy Gray “I Try” On How Life Is
Spoon “You Got Yr Cherry Bomb” Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Prince “I Wanna Be Your Lover” Prince
The Police “Walking on the Moon” Regatta de Blanc
Angel Olsen “Like I Used To (featuring Sharon Van Etten)” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Nickel Creek “Reasons Why” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Lucinda Williams “The World’s Gone Wrong” World’s Gone Wrong
Led Zeppelin “Fool in the Rain” In Through the Out Door
Tedeschi Trucks Band “Midnight in Harlem” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Kashus Culpepper “Believe” Act I
Michael McDonald “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” If That’s What It Takes
Alex G “Afterlife” Headlights
Geese “Cobra” Getting Killed