When listening to MGMT’s new self-titled album, images of the whole band in the studio come to mind. Stoned chuckles, high fives, and constant compliments when one of the band members comes up with new arrangements.
One pictures Andrew VanWyngarden saying, “Oh man, that’s sweet!” and as another musical idea gets processed and compressed into a tunnel of reverb, “Do it up. Yeah, that’s neat.”
“Neat” might just be the right word to describe MGMT’s newest offerings.
It’s not bad, but not great either. It’s on middle ground in the realm of quality, but after a first listen of the spacey, echoey record, it becomes clear the colloquial adjective might not provide the best fit.
Such perception definitely feels underwhelming considering this was the album supposed to complete the reinvention (or relocation) of the style the band has been striving for since the release of Congratulations in 2010.
In all fairness, there are some tracks that do offer a glimpse of such style, even though it may not be immediately evident. These tracks are pleasant to the ears, especially around the first half.
Opener “Alien Days” manages to hit that particular sweet spot, led by the voice of an actual kid into a progressive orchestration of beautiful melodies that, amidst all the squeaky and saturated compression, actually breathe.
Songs like this prove MGMT might become a band that is not only giddily experimental, but also interesting to listen to.
On the other hand, songs like “Astro-Mancy” represent the side of this record that suggests the product of a band that didn’t really know what to do other than play inside the borders of a psychedelic sound, making it all a little too distant.
MGMT is neat, yes, but not a moving feat.
It is commendable that MGMT is attempting to divert from the “tastefully commercial” image that was bestowed upon them.
Running away from the style of songs like “Kids” and “Electric Feel” has also brought to life intriguing results.
But what could be preventing the band from creating a great record in the process is maintaining their trademark playfulness in the studio, completely to themselves, and acting as they want to, rather than how they think they should.
Guillermo De La Rosa
Contributor
