Little Dark Age (2018) - MGMT

 

"Little Dark Age" is the fourth studio album by American rock band MGMT, released on February 9, 2018, through Columbia Records. This album marked a shift for the band, moving toward a more accessible, synth-driven sound after the more experimental and divisive tone of their previous self-titled release. With "Little Dark Age," MGMT returned to the melodic charm that defined their debut while embracing a darker, more introspective mood, both lyrically and sonically. The album reflects a sense of disillusionment with modern life, touching on themes of anxiety, loss, and self-reflection, all wrapped in a sleek, retro-futuristic aesthetic.

Tracklist:

1. She Works Out Too Much
2. Little Dark Age
3. When You Die
4. Me and Michael
5. TSLAMP
6. James
7. Days That Got Away
8. One Thing Left to Try
9. When You're Small
10. Hand It Over

The production of "Little Dark Age" is polished and layered, drawing inspiration from 80s synth-pop, new wave, and psychedelic textures. MGMT collaborated with longtime producer Dave Fridmann and Patrick Wimberly (of Chairlift) to craft a soundscape that blends warm analog synthesizers with eerie undertones. The album juxtaposes upbeat, shimmering melodies with lyrical themes that delve into existential dread and the pressures of modern life. This contrast gives the record a unique tension—balancing whimsy with melancholy in a way that feels both nostalgic and eerily contemporary.

Lyrically, the album presents a more mature and reflective MGMT. There is a clear sense of confronting internal struggles and societal decay. The title track, "Little Dark Age," captures this mood perfectly with its haunting synths and meditations on fear and paranoia. Throughout the album, there is an undercurrent of reckoning with identity and purpose in a time of overwhelming media saturation and personal uncertainty. MGMT’s signature surrealism remains intact, but the writing feels sharper and more direct, allowing the emotional core of the songs to shine through.

"Little Dark Age" was both a critical and commercial success. It was widely praised for its cohesive vision and the band’s ability to balance pop sensibilities with experimental ambition. Many saw it as a return to form after the divisive reception of their previous work, celebrating how the album retained the band’s eccentric identity while embracing a sound that was both catchy and thought-provoking. Its themes of disillusionment and the fear of a world spiraling out of control resonated deeply with audiences, making it a defining statement in MGMT’s discography.

In many ways, "Little Dark Age" is a reflection of its time—a soundtrack to the anxieties of the late 2010s—while also feeling timeless in its ability to blend rich, nostalgic production with universal concerns about identity and the future. It reaffirmed MGMT’s ability to evolve while staying true to their artistic ethos, offering a captivating, sometimes eerie journey through the shadows of modern life.