MGMT’s Little Dark Age is exactly what it says it is. Little; The album only runs 10 songs. Dark: It’s actually dark. See When You Die. And Age: Well It’s been five years since MGMT put out an album and they are definitely showing their age. That’s not intended to sound critical but they have created a 1980’s pop-soaked fever dream; both intense and confusing.
Lush reverb and synth layers create a harmonically complex soundscape void of a single. This album was clearly an experiment even by MGMT’s standards. It is not the groovy psychedelic pop of Oracular Spectacular (I love Electric Feel) but this album has its highs in both production and content.
Me and Michael is an 80’s pop anthem. You could easily make it me and my girl and it could be a generic song from Sixteen Candles or Flashdance but the chorus “Me and Michael” leaves the meaning ambiguous as to what the song is actually about. Michael Jackson? George Michael? Or just another guy named Michael? We will never know.
When You Die is without a doubt the darkest song on the album. More indie-pop than the rest of the album, layers of acoustic instruments, a guitar melody based on tri-tones, and the lyrics “..and I won’t feel anything. We’ll all be laughing with you when you die” drive home the “dark” in Little Dark Age.
Small note, I really enjoyed the short instrumental Days That Got Away.
MGMT – Little Dark Age
5/10
High’s
- Production
- Concept
- “Days That Got Away”
Low’s
- Songwriting