Paradise State of Mind

Last updated
Paradise State of Mind
Foster the People - Paradise State of Mind.png
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 16, 2024 (2024-08-16)
Recorded2022–2024
Studio
  • EastWest, Hollywood, Los Angeles [1]
  • The Church, London, England [1]
Genre Indie rock
Length43:37
Label Atlantic
Producer
Foster the People chronology
In the Darkest of Nights, Let the Birds Sing
(2020)
Paradise State of Mind
(2024)
Singles from Paradise State of Mind
  1. "Lost in Space"
    Released: May 31, 2024
  2. "Take Me Back"
    Released: June 28, 2024
  3. "Chasing Low Vibrations"
    Released: July 26, 2024

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.

Contents

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, something which has been attributed to the band's unofficial hiatus prior to its long awaited release.

Promotion

Following the 10th anniversary reissue of their debut album, the band's social media channels remained primarily inactive until May 2024 when the band started teasing new music. Various Instagram animated reels featuring clips of "Lost in Space" were released along with clips from the accompanying music video. When the single and video were released, more reels of the band producing the album began to be posted on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok with the album title officially being announced. Additionally, in the weeks leading up to the full album release, Mark Foster and Isom Innis invited a select group of fans to listen to the album early in its entirety at venues in Los Angeles and New York City.

Track listing

Paradise State of Mind track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."See You in the Afterlife"
Foster3:09
2."Lost in Space"
  • Foster
  • Innis
  • Foster
  • Innis [c]
4:19
3."Take Me Back"
  • Foster
  • Innis
  • Foster
  • Innis
2:32
4."Let Go"Foster4:34
5."Feed Me"
  • Foster
  • Innis
3:40
6."Paradise State of Mind"
  • Epworth
  • Foster [c]
4:48
7."Glitchzig"FosterFoster5:28
8."The Holy Shangri-La"
  • Epworth
  • Foster [c]
4:13
9."Sometimes I Wanna Be Bad"FosterFoster3:03
10."Chasing Low Vibrations"
  • Foster
  • Innis
  • Jeremy Malvin
  • Foster
  • Chrome Sparks
3:24
11."A Diamond to Be Born"
  • Foster
  • Innis
  • Innis
  • Foster [c]
4:25
Total length:43:37
Paradise State of Mind Japanese edition
No.TitleLength
12."Rabies Shmabies"4:20
Total length:47:57

Note

Personnel

Foster the People

Additional musicians

Technical

Charts

Chart performance for Paradise State of Mind
Chart (2024)Peak
position
Croatian International Albums (HDU) [6] 40
French Physical Albums (SNEP) [7] 163
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) [8] 25
Scottish Albums (OCC) [9] 52
UK Album Downloads (OCC) [10] 34
US Billboard 200 [11] 170
US Top Rock & Alternative Albums ( Billboard ) [12] 43

Related Research Articles

<i>The Fire Inside</i> (Bob Seger album) Album by Bob Seger

The Fire Inside is the fourteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Seger. The album was released in mid 1991 on the record label, Capitol. It was Seger's first album of entirely new music since Like a Rock in 1986. Though credited to "The Silver Bullet Band", much of the album used guest and session musicians, with limited contributions from Silver Bullet Band members. Among the guest artists on the album are Joe Walsh, Bruce Hornsby, Roy Bittan, Steve Lukather, Don Was, Waddy Wachtel, Rick Vito, Mike Campbell, Patty Smyth, Lisa Germano, and Kenny Aronoff.

<i>Get Close</i> 1986 album by the Pretenders

Get Close is the fourth studio album by rock band the Pretenders, released on 20 October 1986 in the United Kingdom by Real Records and on 4 November 1986 in the United States by Sire Records. The album contains the band's two highest-charting Mainstream Rock Tracks entries, "Don't Get Me Wrong" and "My Baby", both of which reached number one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foster the People</span> American indie pop band

Foster the People is an American indie pop band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2009. Its members include founder and frontman Mark Foster, and keyboardist Isom Innis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Call It What You Want (Foster the People song)</span> 2011 single by Foster the People

"Call It What You Want" is a song by American indie pop band Foster the People. It was released as the group's third single in December 2011 from their debut album Torches. The song was written by frontman Mark Foster and produced by Paul Epworth. The song was also featured in the soundtrack of the videogame FIFA 12 and the World Cup mode of FIFA 23. The song appeared at number 14 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2011 poll.

<i>Supermodel</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Foster the People

Supermodel is the second studio album by American indie pop band Foster the People. The album was co-produced by their frontman Mark Foster and British musician Paul Epworth, and was released by Columbia Records on March 14, 2014 in Friday-release countries and March 18, 2014 in the United States. It is the follow-up to the band's 2011 debut album, Torches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coming of Age (Foster the People song)</span> 2014 single by Foster the People

"Coming of Age" is a song by American indie pop band Foster the People from their second studio album, Supermodel. It was written by Mark Foster, Mark Pontius and Cubbie Fink of the band, along with British music producer Paul Epworth and close collaborators Sean Cimino and Isom Innis. The song was released as the lead single from Supermodel in the United States on January 14, 2014, and in the United Kingdom on March 16, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pseudologia Fantastica (song)</span> 2014 single by Foster the People

"Pseudologia Fantastica" is a song by American indie pop band Foster the People. It is the fifth track on their second studio album Supermodel and was released digitally as the record's second single on February 25, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Best Friend (Foster the People song)</span> 2014 single by Foster the People

"Best Friend" is a song by American indie pop band Foster the People. The song is featured as the seventh track on the band's second studio album Supermodel and was released as the record's third single by Columbia Records on March 10, 2014. "Best Friend" was remixed by Australian future bass producer Wave Racer; A-Trak and gLAdiator; and also by band members Foster and Innis as Smims & Belle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Are You What You Want to Be?</span> 2014 single by Foster the People

"Are You What You Want to Be?" is a song by American indie pop band Foster the People. It serves as the opening track on their second studio album, Supermodel, and was released as the album's fourth single on September 8, 2014.

<i>III</i> (Foster the People EP) 2017 EP by Foster the People

III is the third extended play (EP) by American indie pop band Foster the People, released on April 27, 2017, through Columbia Records. It is composed of three songs that precede the band's third full-length studio album, Sacred Hearts Club. The release’s artwork was heavily criticized online for bearing a striking resemblance to New York metalcore band Every Time I Die’s 2016 album Low Teens, which was released the previous autumn.

"Doing It for the Money" is a song by American indie pop band Foster the People. Initially released on April 27, 2017, on their YouTube channel as a part of their new EP (III), the song is featured as the second track on the band's third studio album, Sacred Hearts Club, and was released as the record's first single by Columbia Records.

<i>Sacred Hearts Club</i> 2017 studio album by Foster the People

Sacred Hearts Club is the third studio album by American indie pop band Foster the People, released on July 21, 2017, through Columbia Records. The album was preceded by the extended play III, which is composed of three tracks from the album. Departing from the organic, acoustic sound of their previous 2014 album, it draws upon soul, dance, and electronic genres while maintaining their signature indie pop sound. The lyrics address themes of love, politics, fame, and youth, and, similar to their previous albums, are often at odds with the upbeat musical production. This is the band's first studio album to feature long-time touring musicians Isom Innis and Sean Cimino as official members, and their final album to feature drummer Mark Pontius before his departure in October 2021.

<i>Only Human</i> (Calum Scott album) 2018 studio album by Calum Scott

Only Human is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Calum Scott, released on 9 March 2018 through Capitol Records. The album was re-released in November 2018 as the "special edition" featuring four additional tracks.

<i>Late Night Feelings</i> 2019 studio album by Mark Ronson

Late Night Feelings is the fifth studio album by English and American producer Mark Ronson. It was released on 21 June 2019. It is his first album in four years, following Uptown Special (2015). Its lead single, "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" featuring Miley Cyrus, was released on 29 November 2018. The title track "Late Night Feelings", featuring Lykke Li, was released alongside the album pre-order on 12 April. "Don't Leave Me Lonely" was released on 17 May 2019 as the album's third single. "Find U Again" featuring Camila Cabello was released on 30 May 2019 as the fourth single. "Pieces of Us" featuring King Princess was released on 17 June 2019 as the album's fifth single.

<i>III</i> (Banks album) 2019 studio album by Banks

III is the third studio album by American singer and songwriter Banks, released on July 12, 2019, by Harvest Records. It was preceded by the release of three singles, "Gimme", "Look What You're Doing to Me", and "Contaminated". The album peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200.

<i>The Golden Casket</i> 2021 studio album by Modest Mouse

The Golden Casket is the seventh studio album by the American alternative rock band Modest Mouse, released on June 25, 2021, on Epic Records. Produced by Dave Sardy and Jacknife Lee, the album was preceded by the singles, "We Are Between", "Leave a Light On" and "The Sun Hasn't Left".

<i>What a Song Can Do</i> 2021 studio album by Lady Antebellum

What a Song Can Do is the ninth studio album by American country music trio Lady A. It was released on October 22, 2021, through Big Machine Records. The album includes the single "Like a Lady" and thirteen other tracks. It is also the first new album released under the name Lady A and second after the deluxe edition of Ocean in 2020.

<i>Dance Fever</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Florence and the Machine

Dance Fever is the fifth studio album by English indie rock band Florence and the Machine, released on 13 May 2022 by Polydor Records. Work on the album was originally scheduled for early 2020 in New York City; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recording took place in London instead. Frontwoman Florence Welch has cited Iggy Pop as the biggest musical influence on the album; which features a variety of styles, ranging from progressive pop to indie pop, disco, and industrial music.

<i>Life After Death</i> (TobyMac album) 2022 studio album by TobyMac

Life After Death is the ninth studio album by American Christian singer TobyMac, released on August 19, 2022, on ForeFront Records. It is his sixth album to top the Billboard Christian Albums chart. The album's third single, "Help Is On the Way ", peaked at No. 3 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.

<i>God Said No</i> 2024 studio album by Omar Apollo

God Said No is the second studio album by American singer Omar Apollo, released on June 28, 2024, through Warner Records. It includes contributions from Mustafa and actor Pedro Pascal, and was preceded by the singles "Spite", "Dispose of Me" and "Less of You".

References

  1. 1 2 3 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.
  2. 1 2 Zemler, Emily (May 31, 2024). "Foster the People Preview New Album With '70s-Inspired Single 'Lost in Space'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. "Lista prodaje 37. tjedan 2024" (in Croatian). HDU. September 2, 2024. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  7. "Top Albums Physiques - SNEP". SNEP. August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  8. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2024. 34. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  9. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  10. "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  11. "Foster the People Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  12. "Foster the People Chart History: Top Rock & Alternative Albums". Billboard . Retrieved August 27, 2024.