Cast your mind back to 2011 and you may remember the mega hit
"Pumped Up Kicks". If you don't then you're probably immune to heavy
promotion or something because this song was literally everywhere. Adverts,
video games, the radio, you name it. And who was this Goliath sized tune by?
New to the mainstream band Foster the People of course. Three years later
they've returned with their second album "Supermodel". Are there more
smash hits on this one or have the American indie pop band gone a different
direction?
The album opens with three songs that are pure pop rock goodness. "Ask Yourself" is upbeat with a soaring chorus and "Coming" sounds like a glossy stadium rock anthem from the 80’s. Opener "Are You What You Want To Be?" is also interesting with its Brazilian samba rhythms and "Na na na” earworm.
"Supermodel" occasionally takes a bit of a break from pop rock to explore some newer grounds. The weirdly named "Pseudologia Fantastica" is as odd as its title thanks to its shoegaze inspired sound. This isn't the only time this kind of sound crops up though. No, "A Beginner's Guide to Destroying the Moon" is similar sounding but the backing instruments are playing in a strangely deep pitch. Furthermore, you've got acoustic number "Goats in Trees" which also offers some dark atmospheric sounds. Honestly, all of these tracks sound great and they stop the album from becoming another predictable pop record.
What do we get in the way of super hits then? Well "Nevermind" is an absolute belter and you'd bet your house on it being "Supermodel's" "Pumped Up Kicks". The song is sensationally hook-y with its breezy Oasis type sound. Seriously you'll be singing this one at the festivals this summer, guaranteed. That's about it for giant hits though. Other songs on the album such as "Best Friend" and "The Truth" are enjoyable enough but they just don't have the same rousing feel. Final song "Fire Escape" also deserves a quick mention too, the acoustic tune finishes the album nicely as it drifts to a close.
"Supermodel" may not be anything spectacularly new in terms of sound but Foster the People do what they're known for extremely well. And what's that you ask? Write catchy melodies that form to create shiny pop gems. Another aspect that's positive about this album is that it's not ridiculously repetitive like a lot of pop records. Foster the People manage to shake things up on "Supermodel" without anything becoming too obscure. Check this one out, it's a good 'un.
OVERALL RATING: 7/10
BEST SONGS: NEVERMIND, PSEUDOLOGIA FANTASTICA, ASK YOURSELF.
The album opens with three songs that are pure pop rock goodness. "Ask Yourself" is upbeat with a soaring chorus and "Coming" sounds like a glossy stadium rock anthem from the 80’s. Opener "Are You What You Want To Be?" is also interesting with its Brazilian samba rhythms and "Na na na” earworm.
"Supermodel" occasionally takes a bit of a break from pop rock to explore some newer grounds. The weirdly named "Pseudologia Fantastica" is as odd as its title thanks to its shoegaze inspired sound. This isn't the only time this kind of sound crops up though. No, "A Beginner's Guide to Destroying the Moon" is similar sounding but the backing instruments are playing in a strangely deep pitch. Furthermore, you've got acoustic number "Goats in Trees" which also offers some dark atmospheric sounds. Honestly, all of these tracks sound great and they stop the album from becoming another predictable pop record.
What do we get in the way of super hits then? Well "Nevermind" is an absolute belter and you'd bet your house on it being "Supermodel's" "Pumped Up Kicks". The song is sensationally hook-y with its breezy Oasis type sound. Seriously you'll be singing this one at the festivals this summer, guaranteed. That's about it for giant hits though. Other songs on the album such as "Best Friend" and "The Truth" are enjoyable enough but they just don't have the same rousing feel. Final song "Fire Escape" also deserves a quick mention too, the acoustic tune finishes the album nicely as it drifts to a close.
"Supermodel" may not be anything spectacularly new in terms of sound but Foster the People do what they're known for extremely well. And what's that you ask? Write catchy melodies that form to create shiny pop gems. Another aspect that's positive about this album is that it's not ridiculously repetitive like a lot of pop records. Foster the People manage to shake things up on "Supermodel" without anything becoming too obscure. Check this one out, it's a good 'un.
OVERALL RATING: 7/10
BEST SONGS: NEVERMIND, PSEUDOLOGIA FANTASTICA, ASK YOURSELF.
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