| Paradise State of Mind | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 16, 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2022–2024 | |||
| Studio | ||||
| Genre | Indie rock | |||
| Length | 43:37 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Producer |
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| Foster the People chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Paradise State of Mind | ||||
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Paradise State of Mind is the fourth studio album by American indie pop band Foster the People, released on August 16, 2024, by Atlantic Records, their first under the label.[2] It is the band's first studio album in over seven years since the release of Sacred Hearts Club in 2017, although they released an EP and a number of non-album singles between 2018 and 2021.
The album is primarily influenced by the musical landscape of the late 1970s-1980's with elements of disco, funk, gospel, and jazz,[3] with songwriting inspired by such cultural events as the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts like the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some themes explored through the album's lyrics include technology, mortality, time, self-reflection and optimism. Foster has stated his fascination with the music of the 1970s decade contrasted with the political, social and cultural changes of that time, drawing a parallel between the 1970s and the 2020s. It is also more of an analog record with less use of digital sounds and instrumentation compared to their previous albums.[1]
The first single, disco-toned "Lost in Space", was released on May 31, 2024.[4] The second single "Take Me Back" was released on June 28, 2024. The third single "Chasing Low Vibrations" was released on July 26, 2024. It is the band's first album not to feature their drummer Mark Pontius after his departure from the band in October 2021.[5] It is also the band's final album to feature guitarist Sean Cimino as he departed from the band three months before the album's release.[2]
The album has received primarily positive reviews, with a Metacritic score of 75. Critics and fans praised the experimentation with popular music genres of the past and the quality of the production. It debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top Album sales, selling 7,000 copies during its first week, yet commercially underperforming, as it failed to chart high in other countries.
- ^ a b c Moayeri, Lily (August 12, 2024). "Mark Foster Talks Filling 'the Well Back Up With Life' to Create Art". Spin. Archived from the original on August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Zemler, Emily (May 31, 2024). "Foster the People Preview New Album With '70s-Inspired Single 'Lost in Space'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ Williams, Lana (August 16, 2024). "Paradise State of Mind is a refreshing offering from Foster The People". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Siroky, Mary (May 31, 2024). "Foster the People Announce New Album Paradise State of Mind, Share "Lost In Space:" Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ Gallagher, Alex (October 14, 2021). "Foster the People drummer Mark Pontius exits band after over a decade". NME. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.