MGMT first broke out into prominence mid 2008 with hits like “Time to Pretend”, world wide smash hit ”Kids”, as well as genre-defining “Electric Feel” which also spanned a Justice remix that earned them their first Grammy award for Best Remixed Recording, the following year. The American psychedelic rock band was founded by Benjamin Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden while attending university together during their freshman year, but today are regarded as the ‘shape-shifting, dynamic duo’ of psychedelic pop rock, courtesy of their 3 compelling albums.
And I vehemently agree. It’s completely what it sounds like. These guys are the business. Leaders of psych-rock, dare I say. It’s apparent, just by listening to the self-titled, third studio release.
#1. “Alien Days” 
#2. “Cool Song No. 2″
#3. “Mystery Disease”
#4. ”Introspection” (Faine Jade cover)
#5. “Your Life Is a Lie”
#6. “A Good Sadness”
#7. ”Astro-Mancy”
#8. ”I Love You Too, Death”
#9. ”Plenty of Girls in the Sea”
#10. ”An Orphan of Fortune”
The ten track, under 45 minutes play time “MGMT” kicks off with ‘Alien Days’, a taste of what you’re about to be served with this new helping of MGMT. If anything, I feel this album seems to be a journey deeper into psychedelia, exploring more dreamy distortions that set the tone to where they’re heading with this. Second track “Cool Song No. 2″ is exactly that, displaying a newer, experimental sound. Rumours were wildfire after the second album ‘Congratulations’ released, that MGMT may be never able to repeat the magic on ‘Oracular Spectacular’ & that they’re probably just a fluke.
But after skimming through the next few songs, you get a feeling that MGMT haven’t lost it. In fact, I feel they’ve just gone back to the ideals of what their sound is & have successfully bettered that formula. Perhaps, a little more deeper than have should. Regardless though, because every aspect of the new product is a display of maturity…from the writing, to the experimentation of sounds…right up to the full & final product just reeks of greatness.
If anything, I feel this album will go down as probably one of their best works so far. Personal favourites include ‘Plenty of Girls in the Sea’, the ever-switching ‘An Orphan of Future, ‘Alien Days’ as well as the Faine Jade cover, ‘Introspection’. Yes, you may find this piece of psychedelic rock genius in an album weird to some point, but trust me it’s probably in a positive, genre-bending way. Two thumbs up, from my side.