MGMT – Loss Of Life

Finding comfort in a big, confusing universe.

Review Score:

B

February 25 / 2024

MGMT have always felt like reluctant pop stars. Somehow, they’ve staggered their way into success that feels accidental time and time again. Their debut, Oracular Spectacular contains their trio of monumental hits: “Time to Pretend”, “Electric Feel”, and “Kids”. The opening track on that album is a clear satire of the pop star lifestyle (“let’s make some music, make some money, find some models for wives”). After that initial success, they slipped away from the scene for a while. They didn’t stop making music, but they stopped making commercial hits. It’s clear that they have the ability. But it seems they were much happier making the kind of music they enjoyed most. A handful of critically acclaimed albums later, they released 2018’s Little Dark Age. The title track, as well as a handful of others to a slightly lesser degree, also blew up with the help of Tik Tok, that fickle mistress.

2018 was 6 years ago now (we’re all getting old, wow how could that be, etc etc). So how does MGMT respond? Not only to their previous album, but to this strange, rollercoaster career they’ve had so far. They release Loss Of Life. Whereas Little Dark Age felt small, blissfully self-contained in its own little universe, Loss Of Life has greater, grander aspirations. The opening track, “Loss Of Life (part 2)”, is an old Welsh poem set to a digital soundscape. It’s an abstract intro, to be sure, but it grabs the listeners attention. “Mother Nature” is an excellent follow-up and perhaps the highlight of the album. A strummed guitar creates an almost “roll the credits” type mood. This could be a closing track. It’s almost as if the album is sequenced in a reverse order (with the opener being the “part 2” to the title track, which is actually the closer). “Nothing Changes” is the thematic and emotional climax of the album. It sounds like a more organic Beach House song. The bridge is a two minute musical breakdown that leads into the dreamy conclusion.

Loss Of Life has a tracklist that is simultaneously eclectic and, sadly, just a little bit uninspired. There are two types of songs here: slow burners and ballads. There really isn’t any in-between. But that isn’t to say these songs are generic. There are interesting production choices here and there. And the singles are all highlights. But the biggest surprises had me saying “oh, so that’s what this sounds like” instead of “DAMN, that’s what this sounds like?”. I suppose I just wish there was some more variety among such a short collection of tracks (10 songs).

Many tracks on the Loss Of Life ask big universal questions with an air of indifference. But they don’t create a discomfort in the listener. Instead, the feeling is a contented, mild satisfaction with one’s place in the world (no matter how confusing or small it may be). Despite its grander, more far reaching sound, Loss Of Life and Little Dark Age are equally the work of a band who’s happy to be where they are. MGMT may not have seen this life for themselves, but I’m glad they’re here now.

Review Score:

B

Gubb wrote this review. You can’t get mad at Gubb.