Psychedelic rock band MGMT just announced the release of their new album, Loss of Life. Fans are excitedly anticipating the album’s drop in February 2024. With two months to wait, here’s everything you need to know about this groovy band.
You may have heard one of their most famous hits, “Little Dark Age,” on TikTok. It went viral recently and remains one of MGMT’s most popular tracks, but with a pretty extensive discography, there are so many more hidden gems beyond MGMT’s top-streamed songs.
Because their musical journey is so extensive, let’s take a look at MGMT’s four studio albums in celebration of their fifth coming next year.
Who is MGMT?
MGMT was formed in 2002, in Middletown, Connecticut. The band consists of two members: Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser. VanWyngarden and Goldwasser tossed around the idea of starting a band as freshmen in college. The band was originally formed under the name, The Management, but had to be changed since it was already taken.
In 2006, Columbia Records reached out to the band saying they were interested in their music. Thus, MGMT was born and the psychedelic pop journey has begun.
Oracular Spectacular
MGMT’s first studio album, Oracular Spectacular, was released in October of 2007. This album was promoted with the release of three singles: “Time to Pretend,” “Electric Feels,” and “Kids.” Consisting of ten tracks, the album totals forty minutes. Oracular Spectacular embodies the feeling of being young and human, but strangely enough, it also dabbles in the idea of outer space.
The album explores the idea of a new generation of people, transitioning from children to adulthood. It captures feelings of both optimism and depression within this new change. “Kids” in particular enhances this feeling of transitioning into society with repetitive synth melodies and driving beats. The screams of excitement in the background quite literally encapsulate the joy of childhood.
Oracular Spectacular is an aesthetically relevant embodiment of being a teenager in 2007. Quite a killer way to open their musical journey.
Congratulations
Congratulations followed shortly after, released in 2010. From the titles to the sound, MGMT is showcasing their artistry in full force. Instead of creating music that would be played on the radio, they created an ambitious, more artistically-driven piece. The album even includes a twelve-minute-long piece entitled “Siberian Breaks.”
Similarly to the first album, MGMT released three songs before the album was officially released: “Flash Delirium,” “Siberian Breaks,” and “It’s Working.” These songs are a huge change of pace from Oracular Spectacular. To put it plainly: they are a bit strange. Although they still hold that synth sound MGMT is now known for, many of the songs have complicated storylines. “Siberian Breaks” is one of them; it easily splits up into three entirely different songs.
Congratulations is an incredibly artistic piece with some complicated themes. You may want to listen to this one a few times in order to truly understand its message.
MGMT
After receiving backlash about Congratulations from their label, Columbia Records, critics were all over the creative plunge. But not letting the critics deter them, the band proceeded onward. Their self-titled album, MGMT was released in 2013. Just like the last two, MGMT released “Alien Days” and “Your Life is A Lie” prior to the initial album release.
“Alien Days” can be described as, well, chaotic. The track is comprised of distorted beats, childlike vocals, and a labyrinth of lyrics. Much like the title, this song truly is alien. The rest of the album is quite similar in structure. However, the second half of the album becomes even less recognizable. Any semblance of structure is abandoned. It feels more like art than music.
MGMT truly solidifies their commitment to artistry as a duo. This album is a big “eff you” to anyone who dared to question the authenticity of their work.
Little Dark Age
Last but not least, Little Dark Age is the band’s fourth studio album, released in 2018. The titular “Little Dark Age” blew up on TikTok, bringing a lot of media attention to MGMT. The song itself is very powerful, focusing on real-world issues that plague our society. Having artists be so transparent about these topics is crucial for an authentic sound.
Besides this hit, Little Dark Age has other great additions. “When You Die” is an upbeat song contrary to its name. The lyrics are on the darker side, once again delving into the reality of our society, especially during the time of Trump’s presidency. MGMT is passionate about their beliefs and that can be noted in this album specifically.
Little Dark Age, thanks to a viral hit, brought way more attention to MGMT. It presented listeners with an incredible experience through music, gaining devoted fans.
Would You Listen?
MGMT has a variety of songs and sounds. Although largely an experimental band, there are a couple of radio hits, providing a little something for everyone. With a strong sense of identity, there’s no doubt that MGMT takes pride in their artistry and dedication. Did any of these songs catch your eye?
Or perhaps you’ll wait to hear Loss of Life in February of 2024. Either way, the musical journey of MGMT is definitely one to explore.
