The Future You Know by Black Is Bright: A Dreamy, Messy Masterpiece That Sticks With You
Man, oh man, where do I even start with The Future You Know? Released back in 2015 by the U.S.-based band Black Is Bright, this album feels like a warm hug wrapped in staticky noise. It’s got that shoegaze haze mixed with indie rock grit, and just enough pop sensibility to keep your head nodding long after the last track fades out. Labelled under Significant Sound (which is kinda perfect because it is significant), this record hits you right in the feels.
Let me break it down for ya—there are some real gems here, but two tracks have been stuck on repeat in my brain: "Endless Sky" and "Clueless."
"Endless Sky" opens the album, and honestly? It's like stepping into a dream. The guitars swirl around you like clouds, all fuzzy and golden, while the vocals float somewhere between hope and heartbreak. There’s this moment near the chorus where everything drops out except for these haunting harmonies—it gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it, and still does every damn time. It’s not overly complicated or flashy; it just feels. Like staring at an endless sky yourself, wondering what comes next but kinda loving the uncertainty.
Then there’s “Clueless,” which punches you in the gut with its raw honesty. This one leans more into their rock side, with driving drums and jagged guitar riffs that feel like they’re clawing at something deep inside. Lyrically, it’s messy as hell—like, relatable messy. You know those days when you're trying to figure life out but end up feeling completely lost? Yeah, that’s this song. When the singer screams, “I don’t know who I am anymore!” it’s so unfiltered and real, it hurts. But also? It heals. Weird how music can do that.
The rest of the album keeps the vibe going strong. Tracks like “Strange Days” bring back that shoegaze magic, while “Sanity Calls” reminds you why indie rock will always have a special place in our chaotic little hearts. And then there’s “Wasting,” which closes things off with this bittersweet tone that lingers long after the final note fades.
What gets me about The Future You Know is how it doesn’t try too hard to impress. It’s not polished to death or overproduced—it’s human. Flawed, beautiful, and painfully sincere. Listening to it feels like catching up with an old friend who tells it like it is, no sugarcoating involved.
Here’s the thing though: halfway through writing this review, I realized I was smiling. Not because the album is happy-go-lucky (it’s not) but because it made me feel something. In a world full of shiny playlists designed to numb us, Black Is Bright went ahead and created something that wakes you up instead. So yeah, give this one a spin if you want music that sticks to your soul like gum on a hot sidewalk.
Oh, and fun fact? Every time I listen to it, I swear I find something new hiding in the layers of sound. Maybe that’s what the future really looks like—not knowing exactly what’s coming, but trusting it’ll be worth it anyway.
