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MGMT's "Congratulations": Art Over Chart Success
24 Oct
Summary
- MGMT's second album, Congratulations, eschews obvious singles.
- The band aimed for artistic expression over commercial appeal.
- Sonic Boom of Spacemen 3 collaborated on the psych-pop LP.
The band MGMT has released their second album, "Congratulations," a work that deliberately moves away from the commercial sound of their debut, "Oracular Spectacular." Unlike their previous hit-making approach, this album, produced with Sonic Boom from Spacemen 3, focuses on artistic expression rather than crafting obvious singles.
Rather than aiming for the chart-topping success of tracks like "Time to Pretend" and "Kids," MGMT sought to create art with "Congratulations." The album delves into pastoral English pop, mysticism, and studio experimentation, aligning them with artists like the Flaming Lips and Beck.
While ambitious and layered with ideas, "Congratulations" presents a less cluttered and more focused listening experience on tracks like the title track and "It's Working." The 12-minute "Siberian Breaks" is noted for its density, but the album is considered more interesting than their debut despite the lack of marquee songs.
This album follows a period of significant commercial success, presenting MGMT with the challenge of maintaining their fanbase while exploring new creative directions. The outcome suggests a band capable of songwriting talent, whether pursuing club-friendly hits or more experimental tracks.
