Music Review: Foster the People’s ‘Paradise State of Mind’ – A Mesmerizing Journey of Delight and Dread
Foster the People’s latest album, Paradise State of Mind, offers a captivating mix of infectious beats and dark, introspective lyrics, marking a triumphant return for Mark Foster and his band after a seven-year hiatus. The album masterfully blends glistening pop with experimental elements, creating a soundscape that is both familiar and unsettling.
The opening track, “See You in the Afterlife,” sets the tone with its funky, disco-inspired rhythm, juxtaposed with lyrics that convey a growing sense of dread. Foster’s haunting references to current events, including the war in Ukraine, reveal a world hypnotized by chaos and uncertainty.
The 11-track album, largely written by Foster and Isom Innis, showcases the band’s ability to craft thoughtful pop music for a jangled, insecure era. Foster’s debut as the primary producer shines, particularly in tracks like “Lost in Space,” a falsetto-driven tune with a ’70s roller rink vibe, and “Let Go,” which evolves from dreamy positivity into a surreal, robotic chant about freedom through brokenness.
The album’s experimental side is highlighted by unconventional choices, such as the flute solo on “Sometimes I Wanna Be Bad” and the chaotic time signatures of “Glitchzig,” a track that pushes the boundaries of accessibility. Meanwhile, “Feed Me” blends seductive digital-era lyrics with heavily distorted synths, creating a sonic experience that’s both eerie and enthralling.
Foster closes the album with “A Diamond to be Born,” a spacey, almost prayer-like reflection on self-perception and the struggle to stay intact. The line “I look at myself through a broken lens” encapsulates the album’s themes of beauty in distortion and resilience in the face of unraveling.
Paradise State of Mind is a gem, a collection that delights with its catchy hooks and frightens with its stark, reflective lyrics. It’s a testament to Foster the People’s enduring ability to produce pop music that is as complex as it is enjoyable, leaving listeners both entertained and introspective.
