Way back in March, when I posted my blog about In the Darkest of Nights Let the Birds Sing it was the last time anyone has heard from Foster the People. Now, out of the blue (at least for me) I found them releasing a new album. They made a comeback in 2024, posting on their Instagram about 2 months after my initial blog. Now, let’s talk about their new album Paradise State of Mind.

Paradise State of Mind

I only discovered the album way back in early July when I got a Foster the People song from Soundmap. I check on the band every few months until this prompted me, as the song Take Me Back was one I didn’t recognize it. It was interesting to say the least and I wasn’t sure how I felt about the songs they had out already. Of course, it was only two songs and Take Me Back was the one I liked as it sounded very reminiscent of their old sound from Torches and a bit of Supermodel.

The Songs

The songs do follow their new trend of music, some autotune but a heavy play into that sampling music and very electronic with the sounds they do use. But, I can’t really share my opinion because I haven’t given it a good listen. The last time I listened to it was when I was driving my dog with me to Panera to get breakfast. It’s in my New Music playlist but when I want to drive and sing, I’m not really listening to a song that I don’t know the lyrics to.

But, with the new album I do like how it’s less reliant on the autotune unlike in In the Darkest of Nights Let the Birds Sing where it was more of an experimental use and was very overused. Like in ‘A Diamond To Be Born’ there’s autotune in the beginningish that gives it a kind of choral feel to it, but I do think it goes on for a bit too long (~2 minutes). While there are some annoying parts of certain songs; like Lost in Space having in my opinion a lackluster transition from chorus to bridge to just versus’s.

But, in ‘Chasing Low Vibrations’ (a personal favorite) it is the first time Foster the People has had an explicit song but the song fits really well. I believe once I listen to the album fully, a new section will be edited in.

Foster the People: Then vs. Now

I admire this change in Foster the People, while now it’s just Mark Foster and Isom Innis; Foster being the only original member left and Innis joining around the time around Sacred Hearts Club. I do like the sound of it, but it shows growth especially in this new album. I’m excited to see what is in store for Foster the People and their new sound, and I welcome the new change. While they’re not a favorite band anymore, I still enjoy listening to them. So, I am happy with Paradise State of Mind.