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In 2021, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue released a report about extremist behavior on TikTok. The report was disheartening to read and contained surprising moments. One of these was the popularity of MGMT’s song “Little Dark Age” from their fourth album released in 2018 among neo-Nazis. It was the most commonly used sound by extremist creators on TikTok and was featured in videos about the late American white supremacist George Lincoln Rockwell and “esoteric nazism”. The report’s authors were puzzled by this trend. It also brings into question the understanding of English by the average neo-Nazi. The lyrics of “Little Dark Age” are a criticism of America during the Trump era and racist police brutality. Interestingly, they could also be seen as foreshadowing the Black Lives Matter protests, urging listeners to take action and confront their anger.
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The unexpected adoption of the song was likely a result of its rising popularity on TikTok. Despite not charting and being on an album that barely made it to the US Top 40, Little Dark Age became widely shared on the video-sharing platform during the pandemic. This trend continues, with the song being used in a variety of videos on TikTok, from girls dancing in kitten ears to footage of the conflict in Ukraine. Even videos complaining about the song’s overuse on TikTok have been created. With over 5.5 million videos on TikTok and nearly 600 million streams on Spotify, MGMT’s fame is currently at its peak since their debut album Oracular Spectacular gained critical acclaim and commercial success in 2007, selling over a million copies.
Listening to Loss of Life, a band who once seemed intent on alienating the fans who had bought their debut album have seized the opportunity presented to them by the whole TikTok thing. It’s just as tuneful as the Little Dark Age album, and they’re now a world away from 2010’s Congratulations or 2013’s dense, claustrophobic MGMT. While Congratulations was an album under the influence of Television Personalities and the Cleaners from Venus’ brand of lo-fi early 80s psychedelia – seldom a foolproof recipe for mass appeal – chunks of Loss of Life deal in precisely the kind of widescreen glossy pop that Television Personalities and the Cleaners from Venus were reacting against, albeit viewed through a distorting lens.
The song “Dancing in Babylon” by Christine and the Queens features a duet with a distinctly 80s sound, complete with keyboards that add a unique twist and crackling noise. The lyrics of “People in the Streets” also revisit the theme of rebellion seen in “Little Dark Age,” with references to joining in but being too afraid. Another track, “Mother Nature,” shows the influence of Oasis, although fans of the Gallagher brothers may be disappointed as the resemblance is only brief before it is transformed into a mix of distorted guitar and layered synth with a tremolo effect reminiscent of Spacemen 3.
In just 45 minutes, Loss of Life explores a diverse range of musical styles, from Ziggy-era Bowie in Bubblegum Dog to a Simon and Garfunkel-esque folk sound in Nothing to Declare. While the influences are evident, MGMT’s psychedelic touch and use of chaotic electronics and sudden bursts of echo make it more than just a tribute. The songs themselves are strong enough to stand on their own and support the intricate arrangements. Phradie’s Song showcases MGMT’s sweetest melody yet with its gentle chanson-inspired tune and dramatic synth coda. Meanwhile, I Wish I Was Joking glides smoothly, sprinkled with clever lyrics like “Nobody calls me the gangster of love,” a clever response to Steve Miller’s hit, The Joker.
The album Loss of Life is not as straightforward as it may initially seem. It begins with a recitation of a 13th-century Welsh poem and ends with a cacophony in the title track. However, it successfully strikes a balance between eccentricity and catchiness, surpassing any MGMT album since their debut. It remains to be seen if their unexpected popularity on TikTok will benefit the album, as viral success does not always translate into long-term success. The band themselves seemed unimpressed by the fame brought on by their album Oracular Spectacular. In the meantime, Loss of Life is a delightful album to fully immerse oneself in.
music
Alexis spent time this week listening to music.
Brittany Howard’s song “Prove It to You”
Howard’s most recent individual record, What Now, appears to have been disregarded: a mistake, as shown by Prove It to You, which surprisingly contrasts her vocals with exuberant disco-house.
Source: theguardian.com
