Torches (2011) - Foster the People

10/10

Image credit: Album cover for Torches by Foster the People. © 2011 Startime International / Columbia Records. Used under fair use for review and commentary purposes.

Foster the People are an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2009. The band currently consists of founder and frontman Mark Foster and keyboardist Isom Innis. Mark Foster started the group alongside former members Jacob Fink and Mark Pontius after years of struggling as a commercial jingle writer.

The band’s debut album, Torches, was released in 2011 under Startime International and Columbia Records. It features the indie anthem “Pumped Up Kicks,” a breakout hit that has since amassed billions of streams. The album opens with “Helena Beat,” a high-energy track layered with dark undertones. The song critiques drug culture and the self-destructive behaviors often glamorized in places like Hollywood. Mark Foster wrote it to reflect how people mask their inner chaos with substances while pretending everything is fine. The upbeat sound sharply contrasts with lyrics that hint at addiction, instability, and desperate attempts at control.

“Pumped Up Kicks,” written from the perspective of a troubled teen named Robert, explores the disturbing thoughts of a young person contemplating violence—possibly as a response to neglect, bullying, or mental illness. Foster intended the song to spark conversation about youth mental health and school shootings. Its sunny, catchy melody juxtaposes the dark subject matter, underlining how easily warning signs can be overlooked. Sometimes referred to as the “school shooting song,” Foster has expressed frustration that the band is often narrowly defined by it.

But a deeper look at the group’s discography reveals a wide range of sounds and more uplifting themes. “Call It What You Want” is an electrifying anthem with a chorus that practically demands to be shouted back by an audience. The song encourages listeners to shrug off stereotypes and persevere through adversity.

Torches won a Grammy for Best Alternative Album and is certified Platinum in the U.S. It remains a defining release of 2010s alternative rock—an album with no skips, full of timeless energy and creativity.

Foster the People released their fourth studio album, Paradise State of Mind, in late summer 2024—their first in seven years. They supported it with a tour in early 2025, including a stop at Chicago’s Salt Shed, where their performance was as tight and energetic as ever. The band is set to return this summer for a performance at Lollapalooza, along with an intimate aftershow at the Metro—a night that’s bound to be unforgettable.

Check out their video for “Houdini” below: