Little Dark Age
By MGMT
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Track listing
Show track credits
- 1 She Works Out Too Much 4:38
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synthesizer, programming, bass, background vocals
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vocals, programming, synthesizer, drums
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vocals
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background vocals, synthesizer
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Josh da Costadrums
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saxophone
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- 2 Little Dark Age 4:59
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synthesizer, programming
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vocals, programming, synthesizer
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bass
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- 3 When You Die 4:23
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synthesizer, vocals, flute
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vocals, guitar, percussion
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percussion
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background vocals, lyricist, composer, guitar
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background vocals
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background vocals
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- 4 Me and Michael 4:49
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synthesizer, programming
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vocals, programming, synthesizer, drums, guitar
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vocals
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- 5 TSLAMP 4:29
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synthesizer
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vocals, synthesizer, drums, guitar, bass
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composer, synthesizer
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- 6 James 3:52
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synthesizer, programming
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vocals, drums
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French horn
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- 7 Days That Got Away 4:44
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programming, organ
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vocals, percussion, bass
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percussion, composer, bass
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synthesizer, guitar, recorder
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composer, guitar
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- 8 One Thing Left to Try 4:20
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synthesizer, programming
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vocals, programming, synthesizer, drums, guitar
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- 9 When You're Small 3:30
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synthesizer, vocals, lyricist, keyboard
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drums, bass, background vocals
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composer, vibraphone
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bass, guitar
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- 10 Hand It Over 4:14
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synthesizer, programming, keyboard
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vocals, programming, synthesizer, drums, guitar, bass, keyboard
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- Total length: 43:58
Rate/Catalog
Catalog
Set listening
Review
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5 Issues
- Release view [combined information for all issues]
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Little Dark Age [p]
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Little Dark Age Downloadable, Streaming
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Little Dark Age 180 gram, Gatefold
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Little Dark Age 180 gram, 33 rpm, Digital Download, Gatefold
137 Reviews
MGMT are a group that I always managed to avoid for most of my life, really only being exposed to a handful of unavoidable singles. And, I am honestly somewhat grateful for that ignorance, because this full length didn't really do much of anything for me. It felt like for every interesting sonic concept, there was heaps of tracks that just served me redundant synth phrases and melodic ideas that didn't invoke anything. Rarely do these tracks create the energy and vigor that synth pop is supposed to induce, and when they do come across an interesting idea in their psychedelic leanings, it is normally placed at the end of an otherwise terribly dull song. I find it less that I can't believe anyone enjoys this, more so in disbelief that one can form strong opinions on music that lacks any or all energy or passion to me.
Light 6/10.
Light 6/10.
Published
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1
She Works Out Too Much
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2
Little Dark Age
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3
When You Die
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4 Me and Michael
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5 TSLAMP
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6 James
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7 Days That Got Away
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8 One Thing Left to Try
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9 When You're Small
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10 Hand It Over
Published
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1
She Works Out Too Much
-
2
Little Dark Age
-
3
When You Die
-
4
Me and Michael
-
5
TSLAMP
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6
James
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7
Days That Got Away
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8
One Thing Left to Try
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9 When You're Small
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10 Hand It Over
One Thing Left to Try
Okay this is a major surprise. MGMT's previous albums have been so different from each other, I had no idea what to expect here, but basically they've knocked it out of the park.What a brilliant marriage of synth-pop and psychedelia Little Dark Age is, without ever being too over-the-top or pretentious.
Not a weak track at all here, but if I had to choose, "She Works Out Too Much", "Little Dark Age", "James", "One Thing Left To Try", and "Hand It Over" would be my picks.
Seriously though, this is very close to eclipsing Oracular Spectacular, and stand as one of the best releases of the year, if not the best.
Published
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1
She Works Out Too Much
-
2
Little Dark Age
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3
When You Die
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4
Me and Michael
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5
TSLAMP
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6
James
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7
Days That Got Away
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8
One Thing Left to Try
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9
When You're Small
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10
Hand It Over
MGMT have finally come around the planet like a NASA satellite and struck down on earth with this drug-induced, puppy-eyed disco jam. VanWyngarden's and Goldwasser's best work so far.
I’d say that Little Dark Age is the peak of MGMT. The complications of quantity and quality on their past albums are no longer. This release has everything the band stood for; experimentation and psychedelia. But with the added inclusion of improvement. This album progresses from a reinvented starless sound of songs such as ‘Little Dark Age’ and ‘When You Die’ to new-and-improved 80s-inspired, synth-pop anthems like ‘Me and Michael’ and ‘One Thing Left to Try.’ These two separate genres are excellently introduced throughout the album. You once had the trouble of ‘mellow’ being mixed up with ‘weak.’ Be that as it may, each song has a strong and unique identity. But luckily, it isn’t overbearing like it was on Congratulations. Each song keeps the same mood; shifting it ever-so-slightly. I never felt like one song was ‘better’ over another just because of how much of a presence it had. Even softer songs were whispering right up in your ear.
Nonetheless, I have noticed that common opinion is that the B-Side is weaker than the A-Side. And identical to my thoughts on Oracular Spectacular, I respectfully disagree. Little Dark Age doesn’t dwindle out, rather mellow out. Perfectly, may I add. Of course, the album starts off strong and pulls you in. It’s a blinding magnet. But as MGMT does, they take you on a boat ride throughout the city. You are on a high from the very beginning; which is very much stretched out to its very end. Lights are around. Faces are blurry. Buildings are throughout. All there is, is you.
This record is a more modern, playful take on drugs, unlike the more mature, dramatic Congratulations. Little Dark Age orchestrates an intense, freeing psychedelic experience into the night. You start off in the middle of a yellow frat party with bedazzling disco balls impairing your vision. It’s a hands-on experience. But like in the movies, with a snap of a finger, it crumbles. Your hands begin to quiver. The walls melt and push in on you. Yet, traces of that personal, liberated feeling float through your brain. It’s dark outside, everyone's passed out, and all you have is yourself. It gets a little lonely, but you're at a standstill. Time moves like both earth and sun. But the most important thing is you.
Little Dark Age is an album about you. It's personal. Past MGMT projects didn't have this factor.
Highs: When You Die, Days That Got Away, One Thing Left to Try, When You're Small, Hand It Over, TSLAMP, Little Dark Age
Mids: She Works Out Too Much, Me and Michael, James
Lows: ...
Mids: She Works Out Too Much, Me and Michael, James
Lows: ...
Published
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starts strong but by 'days that got away' i just wanted to listen to something else. after those first 3 banger tracks it fizzles out so fast into boring iterations on synthpop; do not understand the praise of this record over the last two
6/10
fav track: when you die
least favorite track: days that got away
6/10
fav track: when you die
least favorite track: days that got away
Published
Great synth-pop, goth album. It’s not all that connected but most of the songs are just great. The middle is kinda iffy but the start and end are strong.
Decent 8, (8.5)
Decent 8, (8.5)
Published
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1
She Works Out Too Much
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2
Little Dark Age
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3
When You Die
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4
Me and Michael
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5
TSLAMP
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6
James
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7
Days That Got Away
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8
One Thing Left to Try
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9
When You're Small
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10
Hand It Over
Published
-
1
She Works Out Too Much
-
2
Little Dark Age
-
3
When You Die
-
4
Me and Michael
-
5
TSLAMP
-
6
James
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7
Days That Got Away
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8
One Thing Left to Try
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9
When You're Small
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10
Hand It Over
Published
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Catalog
20 Jun 2021
19 Jun 2021
19 Jun 2021
19 Jun 2021
19 Jun 2021
19 Jun 2021
19 Jun 2021
19 Jun 2021
19 Jun 2021
19 Jun 2021
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1
She Works Out Too Much
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2
Little Dark Age
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3
When You Die
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4
Me and Michael
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5 TSLAMP
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6
James
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7 Days That Got Away
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8
One Thing Left to Try
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9
When You're Small
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10
Hand It Over
18 Jun 2021
18 Jun 2021
18 Jun 2021
18 Jun 2021
18 Jun 2021
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Note: Unlike reviews, comments are considered temporary and may be deleted/purged without notice.the "b side" is still good, its the last two tracks that aren't really worth it, but hey its still the most consistent MGMT album so far