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If you approached MGMT’s newest release,Congratulations, with any expectations, than expect to be thoroughly perplexed after your first listen – or fourteenth as well. Contrary to their breakout 2008 release, Oracular Spectacular, the core duo of Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, constructed a record that may not contain a “Kids,” but rather an assembly of ecstasy wave inspired surf odysseys that embody what they believe is a whole sense to their formation of the nine piece collection.
Opening the record is an electro-popish tune with prancing melodies titled, “It’s Working.” The song seems to question the mind with its reoccurring themed lyric, “How will I know if it’s working right?” The eerie song titled, “Song For Dan Treacy,” pays homage to the British pop musician of Television Personalities. Striking a connection to something born from a B-52s “Rock Lobster,” the track takes you down a trollish path with ringing verses.
With running bass lines and satirical lyrics, “Flash Delirium” leads up to an unpredictable cliff dive ending. The changing of tempo and style of “Flash” makes one consider that “Siberian Breaks” was an assembly of multiple songs sewn together with sharp transitions, though instrumentally its quite unique in its own strength.
Oracular Spectacular launched them MGMT an iconic level whose admirers included even Paul McCartney, and their upbeat electric derived psychedelic mantra ignited much creativity. Whether or not that creativity was translated into a different “electric feel,” Congratulations still leaves listeners wondering what just happened. If their goal was to confuse and distract listeners with oddly crafted melodies and creepy runs that flow with spacey outlandish lyrics, then MGMT have successfully fulfilled their expectations. Congrats.
