Lead by frontman Mark Foster, Foster The People may be the west coast answer to fellow indie-pop/dance bands like MGMT or Passion Pit. Like so many California bands, Foster The People offer up a blend that not only sounds more sun-soaked and less frantic, but with a confident coolness. For a young band, FTP combine an ability to construct well-arranged songs with a composure that often times eludes new bands. And they’re clever. As catchy and as sunny a song as “Pumped Up Kicks” appears on the outside, Foster uses that to mask the song’s lyrical statement on gun violence.

You could probably sum up Torches with one word: fun. Actually, it’s a whole lot of fun. The band’s youthful exuberance definitely cuts through. Just as “Pumped Up Kicks” became an ear worm, so will the bouncy “Houdini” and album opener “Helena Beat.” But add to that clever songwriting and a knack for melody and Foster the People’s Torches is a must-listen this summer.

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