MGMT - Loss Of Life
MGMT - Loss Of Life
Since their debut, MGMT have proven themselves to be one of the most unexpectedly interesting acts in pop music. After their initial crossover success - a success for which they always showed an active disdain - they have only returned occasionally, and seemingly only when inspiration struck.
While they have generally stuck to variations of their original psychedelic synth-pop, Loss Of Life does not care what an MGMT record is supposed to sound like. Hell, it doesn’t even really care what this particular MGMT record sounded like even one track before.
Every idea! All the ideas! No song sounds the same as one that preceded it. Although, you might notice that the general ethos here seems to be a gradually building maximalism. The signature move of this record seems to be beginning with acoustic and/or more traditional rock instrumentation before layering on the electronics and psychedelia. By the end of each of these songs, no matter how it started, we are hearing something grand, expansive and cinematic.
There is more than one moment here where I was reminded of the somewhat underrated but definitely overproduced Oasis album Be Here Now. At times I hear the operatic synth rock of Kate Bush. At others I hear the soft psych-pop of the Flaming Lips.
There are a surprising number of slow jams and romantic ballads.
It’s a miracle that it works so well. Highly recommended.
Highlights: Dancing In Babylon • Bubblegum Dog • Nothing Changes
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