Methods and apparatus for providing a tunable absorption band in a wavelength selective surface are disclosed. A device for selectively absorbing incident electromagnetic radiation includes an electrically conductive surface layer including an arrangement of multiple surface elements. The surface layer is disposed at a nonzero height above a continuous electrically conductive layer. An electrically isolating intermediate layer defines a first surface that is in communication with the electrically conductive surface layer. The continuous electrically conductive backing layer is provided in communication with a second surface of the electrically isolating intermediate layer. The arrangement of surface elements couples at least a portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation between itself and the continuous electrically conductive backing layer, such that the resonant device selectively absorbs incident radiation, and reflects a portion of the incident radiation that is not absorbed.