MGMT
Little Dark Age
[Columbia]
If you grew up playing video games and came of age in the time of Oracular Spectacular then MGMT’s fourth album, Little Dark Age will take you on a trip down memory lane. The immersive melodies from Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser transform audiences from purveyor to Player One with their Ninetendo friendly chimes.
Married to the sonic landscapes inherent to hypnagogic pop; dreamlike synth melodies Days That Got Away and 80s laden melodies Me and Michael, this record could have been retrieved from a time capsule buried three decades ago.
The lyrics, however, place MGMT firmly in 2018 by poking fun at millennial preoccupations. Opener, She Works Out Too Much touches on the cult of obsessive exercising; “The only reason we never worked out was because he didn’t work out enough”, and addictive habits localised to phones; “But I’m constantly swiping it, tapping.”
The pared arrangement and languid vocal from Andrew Vanwyngarden on Hand It Over is easily the standout moment on the record. In the absence of excessive effects and layering, we’re reminding of the duo’s capability of creating a great pop hook to get lost in with repeated listens.
Featuring appearances from Ariel Pink and Connan Mockasin and a returning David Friedman (this is his third time working with the duo) there’s a fine team contributing to the boundless energy zapping throughout.
Words – Zara Hedderman
Like This? Try These:
John Maus – Screen Memories
Ariel Pink – pom pom
Connan Mockasin – Caramel
