American indie-pop outfit Foster The People are the brainchild of singer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist Mark Foster, and have been through a few lineup changes over the years since they founded in Los Angeles in 2009. They’ve been through a few different sounds too, regularly mixing elements of dance, pop, indie, rock and psychedelia on their three albums to date (Torches in 2011, 2014’s Supermodel, and Sacred Hearts Club, released three years ago).

Earlier this year, the band confirmed they had split from their label and were working independently. They then released the charity single The Things We Do, a timely single that touched on themes of police violence and racial inequality in the United States of America. That song, along with fellow 2020 single Lamb’s Wool, make it onto In The Darkest Of Nights, Let The Birds Sing, their new six-track EP that landed recently while work continues on their upcoming fourth studio album.

Kicking things off is the jaunty Walk With A Big Stick, while Cadilac packs a smooth bassline and clap-along chorus, and Lamb’s Wool builds from a haunting piano intro into a spacey, almost other-worldly affair. The Things We Do mixes slick synths and effects-laden vocals to deliver its message,` and slow-burner Under The Moon has a certain Morrisey-esque feel to it. Closing track Your Heart Is My Home wraps things up with some captivating and sweet lyrics layered over a more minimalist backing.

Recorded around the Coronavirus pandemic, with each band member adding their part remotely, Foster The People have done a tremendous job in ensuring In The Darkest Of Nights, Let The Birds Sing remains a cohesive body of work. It’s every bit as eclectic as the rest of their back catalogue and will delight their fans until the band’s new full-length release arrives.

In The Darkest Of Nights, Let The Birds Sing tracklist:

1. Walk With A Big Stick

2. Cadillac

3. Lamb’s Wool

4. The Things We Do

5. Under The Moon

6. Your Heart Is My Home

Watch the official lyric video for The Things We Do here.

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and Managing Director of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.