Album Review: Future Static – Ornaments & Memories (Wildthing Records)

Future Static, the rising alternative metal band, are back with their sophomore album ‘Ornaments & Memories’, out on November 6th, 2026, via Wildthing Records.

Showcasing personal growth, as well as musical evolution, Future Static have a lot to say and show on this new album, and it is impressive. Finding the band, simultaneously, sounding heavier and wilder, but also more melodic, more dramatic, and more anthemic than ever. It’s the kind creative thinking that doesn’t just come from time, it comes from experience, which Future Static have had plenty of since they dropped their debut album in 2023.

So, what’s your favourite thing about this band and why is it the dual vocals? No shade on any other aspect of the band, and this album showcases so much from the instruments, but Future Static have built this album around the voices and it pays off as Amariah and Kira have so much range, be it savage growls and roars, or soaring soulful singing.

The combination of varied vocals, furious riffing, pounding drumming, hefty hooks, explosive breakdowns, and huge choruses is what makes it such a captivating album overall though. With the first half showcasing a set of frantic and powerful efforts that come with creative melodies, tons of heavy vitriol, and plenty of anthemic value. Tracks like Ephemeral, There’s Nowhere Else to Go, Swing (one of the most vicious tracks on the album, and for good reason), The Picture in You, and Off the Map flying by in a blur of heart wrenching, soul touching, and head banging intensity.

Amongst them though is Dream Suite, a melodramatic masterpiece that doesn’t just have some of the album’s best vocals, but some of the album’s best guitar parts. One of my favourite tracks on the album. Although, not to long afterwards, the absolutely epic title track hits that high bar too.

The first half of the record easily puts this above and beyond the debut, but when you have the likes of State of Mind (the scream at the end is stunning), Odyssey, Subcritical Flow, and Lux on offer in the second half, the quality here is unquestionable. Not only do Future Static experiment with their sound, but they push their own defined boundaries, which results in some of the most eclectic efforts of all.

All this, and I’ve not really mentioned the emotion that permeates the entire album. Emotion that is so strong, it can be overwhelming at times. Not just for the listener, but the band too. There’s no arguing with the passion on this record, especially its authenticity, and I think an unapologetic post-hardcore effort like Waterworks shows this off unequivocally.

Future Static have well and truly topped their debut here. Displaying a gargantuan amount of growth, while refining what already worked so well for them. It’s an album that is consistently good too, varied and interesting, which is only going to draw in even more listeners. If you thought Future Static were big already, I suspect we’ve not seen anything yet and this album is the match that will light that fuse.

Future Static – Ornaments & Memories Track Listing:

1. Ephemeral
2. There’s Nowhere Else to Go
3. Swing
4. Dream Suite
5. The Picture in You
6. Off the Map
7. Ornaments & Memories
8. State of Mind
9. Odyssey
10. Waterworks
11. Subcritical Flow
12. Lux

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