Little Dark Age Review

Date Of Release: February 9, 2018

MGMT is an American indie rock band that formed in Middletown, Connecticut in 2002. The band's members consist of:

• Andrew VanWyndgarden (Vocals, Guitarist, Bass, Drums, Keyboards)
• Ben Goldwasser (Vocals, Keyboards, Sampling, Guitarist, Percussion)

Though they also collaborate and play live alongside:

• Alex Wylde (Drummer)
• Simon O'Conner (Bass)
• James Richardson (Guitarist, Keyboards)

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Andrew VanWyndgarden and Ben Goldwasser formed the band while the two were attending Wesleyan University during their freshman year. In their early days they experimented with noise rock and electronica, as they were trying to find their "sound". They also went under the name "The Management" at the time. Since there was already a band using the name however, they then changed it to MGMT. In 2002 they released 2 demo albums, We (Don't) Care and Climbing to New Lows.

In 2007 MGMT would finally release their debut album Oracular Spectacular. Which would be very successful both commercially and critically. Since then they would release 3 other albums, Congratulations (2010), MGMT (2013), and Little Dark Age (2018).

MGMT's music style ranges between pop and rock. They tend to mix a wide variety of sub genres, including: synth pop, psychedelic pop, indie rock, psychedelic rock, neo-psychedlia, and electronic rock. They use these to create a sound that is entirely unique and something only they can pull off.

I grew an interest in MGMT after Vinny (frontman of the band Red Vox) praised them and named them as a big influence in Red Vox's songwriting and music style. I then listened to some of their biggest hits and realized that I was already familiar with quite a lot of their work, I just never knew it was them at the time.

A few weeks ago I finally listened to their debut album Oracular Spectacular. It was an awesome album filled with some experimental and catchy songs that I quickly grew a liking to. It felt surreal knowing that they made this type of music back in 2007.

That brings us to today's review of Little Dark Age by MGMT. A lot of the songs on this album are synth pop but are accompanied with this haunting, foreboding feel to it, which I really love. I would describe it as 80's new wave with a mix of goth post punk. A lot of the lyrics also reflect the haunting feel this album goes for. That's not to say that the whole album feels this way as there are also a couple tracks that are positive and cutesy.

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Songs

She Works Out Too Much
Kicking this album off we have a song that's all over the place, the bass and keyboards feel chaotic. Meanwhile the synthesizers sound like a bomb is being dropped. The reverb on Andrew's vocals mix well with the instrumental. Throughout this song you also have a fitness instructor giving out directions. Which reminds me heavily of the song The New Workout Plan off of Kanye's album College Dropout.

Lyrically this song is about a relationship on thin ice because the guy in said relationship isn't very physically active, which is pretty funny. But really this is just symbolism for a dying relationship due to a lack of interest and/or an entirely different reason. A piece of lyric that really illustrates this is, "The only reason we never worked out was he didn't work out enough".

Little Dark Age
If there was a song to perfectly capture the feel of the entire album it would be this one. Right off the bat this song hits you with the haunting, pulsating synthesizers. Throughout the whole song Andrew sings in a monotone voice, giving off a sense of dread. The chorus is also very catchy with the keyboards and percussion going off.

The lyrics to this song are pretty morbid and fill you up with uneasiness. As to what the song is about, nobody is entirely sure, as I think MGMT left it up to the listener's interpretation. From what it means to me, based off the lyrics it gives me a sense of depression. The main reason I think this is due to this piece of lyric, "I grieve in stereo, the stereo sounds strange. I know that if you hide, It doesn't go away. If you get out of bed and find me standing all alone, open-eyed, burn the page. My little dark age". The lyrics also mention death a few times throughout. Which is why leads me to believe that it's about depression.

When You Die
This song is very groovy and features an acoustic guitar that is used to it's fullest extent. Keyboards and synthesizers on this song are present but are pretty minimal compared to other songs. Overall this song is catchy, groovy, and feels very sweet. Having said that the lyrics go in the complete opposite direction. It's funny here you have a loving and nice sounding song but the lyrics are just spiteful and mean-spirited.

The lyrics follow a guy trying to convince somebody in any way they can that they aren't what they think he is. He repeatedly tells them they aren't nice and that they're evil and mean. Even telling them to go fuck themselves and that he'll be laughing when they die.

Me and Michael
Coming completely out of left field we have a song that sounds straight up like 80's pop. Unlike other songs off the album this song is purely sweet and honestly cute sounding. Everytime I listen to this song it just puts me in a good mood. The synthesizers and keyboards are especially awesome on this song. Andrew's singing is beautiful on this song as well. Words can't describe how much I love this track.

In correlation with the sweet and loving atmosphere of the song, lyrically this song is about friendship. It goes in detail about the endearing friendship between two people and how happy they are to be friends with one another. My favorite verse of the song is, "Binary star sink like the setting sun. Too happy with ourselves to notice when the change had come".

TSLAMP
This song contains one of the grooviest and catchiest bass lines on the album. The entirety of the song sounds as if you were dreaming, a tone I love. The acoustic guitar that's introduced towards the end has some incredible fast plucking. Along with sounding as if you're dreaming, I can imagine cruising around in the city at night when this plays.

This song's theme centers around phone addiction. Andrew wrote this song after finding himself always having a need to look at his phone, he felt disappointment in himself over it. The song is very straightforward with it's message having lyrics like, "I'm wondering where the hours went, as I'm losing consciousness. My sullen face is all aglow. Time spent looking at my phone".

James
This song sounds and feels very hazy. It's the kind of song you'd put on at 3am while staring at your ceiling. Maybe it's due to abundance of synthesizers, the buzzing bass, and Andrew's monotone singing. A bugle is introduced in this song as well. MGMT did a great job of integrating it into the song without having it stick out like a sore thumb.

As for the meaning of the song, it was written and dedicated to James Richardson, their touring band mate and sometimes song writer. Andrew and Ben also wrote this song while high as fuck on acid. So there's that lol.

Days That Got Away
Unlike other songs off the album, this song is almost entirely an instrumental. There's only two lines of lyrics throughout. I gotta say though I love how relaxed and chill this song is. I can easily imagine this playing in a lounge room. The drums on this song are a big stand out. An overall great song.

One Thing Left To Try
Like the song Me and Michael, this song has that very heavy 80's new wave sound to it. Reminds me a lot of early Depeche Mode, New Order, and Trans X. The wonky bass and keyboards are pretty awesome on this song, synthesizers are also great. Andrew also sings in a high pitch voice throughout the song, really pushing himself. So much so I thought it was a woman who was singing this song.

Contrary to how upbeat the song sounds, this track is about the struggles of dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts. Attempting everything you can just to feel alive again. It's immediately appearent in the first verse, but because of the upbeat instrumental it tends to go over your head. Verse 1 goes as such, "One thing left to try. See if you can make it. Before you choose the night and the silence overtakes you".

When You're Small
This song starts off with a haunting feel. Ben's singing and the acoustic guitar are the only thing there to keep you company. It's very reminiscent of Pink Floyd, more specifically their album Animals. At the half point guitars with wah pedals are introduced, along with percussion and string instruments. Giving this song an extra kick.

At face value the lyrics seem to describe the hardships of small people. Really though this is used as a metaphor for emotional and mental insecurities. With that in mind, and taking a look at the lyrics, you start to see the connections. The best example being the lyrics, "When you're low, you reach a certain point. Where you can't really see the point. You can try, but you can't see eye to eye. Yet when you're low then you really know".

Hand It Over
The final song off the album, there's something about this song that just makes you feel floaty. Unlike other songs on Little Dark Age there isn't a whole lot going on, which is completely fine. The booming bass along with the harmonizing vocals in the background sound amazing.

Lyrically this song is a big fuck you to their recording label Columbia. Who has incessantly screwed them over regarding their music rights. After this album their contract with Columbia had finished, essentially making them free. The whole message of the song is immediately apparent in the first verse. Overall this was a pretty good song to end the album off in a tranquil manner.

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Final Thoughts
In conclusion Little Dark Age by MGMT is an amazing album! It's an album that for the most part covers dark topics yet the songs are catchy, gothic at times, and are very 80's like. It also has a high replayability factor, I haven't gotten sick of any of the songs since I first listened to the album.

So is this album worth listening to? Yes! By all means, I highly recommend you give this album a shot. You'd be missing out on something special here. I'm glad I finally got around to checking them out. Between this and their album Oracular Spectacular I'm looking forward to listening to the rest of their albums.

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If I Had To Rate It Out Of 10: 10/10

Songs I Liked:

• She Works Out Too Much
• Little Dark Age
• When You Die
• Me and Michael
• TSLAMP
• James
• Days That Got Away
• One Thing Left To Try
• Hand It Over

Songs I Disliked:

• None!

Personal Favorites:

• Little Dark Age
• When You Die
• Me and Michael
• James
• One Thing Left To Try

For Those Interested In Checking It Out Here's A Preview Song: