Foster the People: Pumped Up Kicks

It's hard to have listened to the radio's top hits in the past six month's without hearing Foster the People's 'Pumped up Kicks'. Although released in 2010 as their first single, it wasn't until early 2011 that the song reached mainstream radio channels and went viral, with the band meeting sell out tours through the second half of 2011.

This song epitomises the 'indie' genre that really does seem indestructible in the modern music scene. The structure of the song is simple; a boppy, funky bass line backed with a simple drum beat through the verses, where the vocals are distorted through an echoing technique. The chorus introduces other elements into the music; synth, backup vocals, and various electronic effects, none of which are overbearing, compliment the main theme of the music, with the line, 'all the other kids with the pumped up kicks you better run...' repeated in a higher, harmonious tone than the main verse. 

Perhaps the main success of this song is within it's originality; the bridge plays with simple guitar solos and singing techniques, and of course, the familiar whistling throughout the last part of the song adds to the vibrant mood of the song and, if I'm honest, compels you to try and whistle too!

Foster the people's 'Pumped up Kicks' espouses the indie music scene shared by big names like The Shins, Boy and Bear, Fleet Foxes and the increasing community of alternative sounds. In fact, even walking around the city, the influence of indie has pervaded not only music; fashion, jewellery, hairstyles and attitudes seem to be harking back to the sweet seventies, a 'whatever man' glazed look permeating from the eyes of a hipster generation Y.

I first heard this song at the beginning of 2010, during my HSC year at High School. It became my friend's and my anthem during exams and celebrations alike, and for the sheer love of funky bass lines, I'm giving Pumped Up Kicks 5 stars.