MGMT - Loss Of Life
Loss of Life is not a surrender to less exploratory songwriting but a joyful indulgence - shaking off the shackles of cynicism and resistance fatigue.
By: Sam Eeckhout
Loss of Life is MGMT's most restrained and focused album, offering a cohesive journey through introspection and growth.
Six long years after Little Dark Age was released, MGMT returns with their fifth album, Loss of Life. Here, they deliver their trademark melancholic sound and yet, surprisingly, offer a more optimistic journey through shimmering synth-scapes and introspective lyrics.
Reminiscent of an 80s movie soundtrack, the album pulsates with a sense of reflection and growth, marking a departure from their previous works. From the outset, Loss of Life bathes listeners in a nostalgic haze, dripping with melancholy and a newfound brightness.
Throughout the album, lead singer Andrew VanWyngarden reflects on the passage of time and the burdens of youthful cynicism. On the single "Bubblegum Dog," he laments the exhaustion of resisting mainstream trends, acknowledging the futility of his past resistance. Why resist? Why not give into the joy of simple creation?
"The years of plodding on / In fear of the bubblegum dog / It's finally catching up with me."
The symbolic bubblegum dog, the mainstream and accessible riffs have been avoided at all costs, resisted with a passion post-Oracular Spectacular. The resistance is an exhausting fight - and one that VanWyngarden and other half Ben Goldwasser realized doesn't necessarily need to be fought.
Again, on sister single, "Mother Nature," VanWyngarden embraces simplicity and freedom, urging listeners to shed their hesitations and embrace expression without fear of judgment.
"Unwrap that tourniquet 'round the sun / Turn those subtle reds into neon. You'll see the difference when it's done / But I undеrstand your hesitation."
It's time to let the light shine - let it shine in and out.
The standout track, "Nothing to Declare," encapsulates the album's understated beauty, channeling Paul Simon with its gentle melodies and introspective lyrics. Akin to other MGMT gentle hits like "Hand it Over" and "Pieces of What," its weighty light shines through in an album otherwise resistant to digging too profoundly into sadness.
Loss of Life represents a maturity shift for MGMT, showcasing a refined sound that ditches the cheesy fluff and oddball distractions in favor of carefully crafted power-ballads and 80s indulgence. While the pendulum may have swung too far at times, the album ultimately pushes listeners to grow along with them.
Leading up to the best moments of Loss of Life are tracks like "Dancing in Babylon" and "People In The Streets," which drift too far from the mean, lagging in their precision. They are redeemed by moments of brilliance, like the touching vocal duets and hugely climactic synth solos that conclude each song, respectively.
In many ways, MGMT is the modern-day version of The Kinks, with simple and effective guitar strumming, beautiful melodies, while constantly pushing the envelope. They are too progressive for some, too unique for utter mainstream, and yet their massive hits keep the larger audience close.
Each MGMT album has slowly garnered more appreciation with each passing year. The band has always been forward-facing, even as they reflect on the past, and Loss of Life will continue to evolve; listen after listen.
One the most fascinating bands since 2000, Loss of Life is MGMT's most restrained and focused album, offering a cohesive journey through introspection and growth. While it may not boast the instant classics, that hasn't been their MO for years.
Loss of Life is not a surrender to less exploratory songwriting but a joyful indulgence - shaking off the shackles of cynicism and resistance fatigue.
