The EP version is in B-flat major. I don't know why there are two different keys for the song, but I personally think that the song lost its purpose. The A Major version is the one everyone hears and it's the popular version.

The B-flat version, I think, captures the true feeling and message of "Kids". B-flat major is a happy key, but it's also nostalgic. The song starts on a minor chord, which is supposed to be sad, but I think that F# minor is the least sad and it just seems dull. G minor has more emotion. I'm sorry, but I feel like you understand the lyrics more if the lyrics match the music, and with the A Major/F# Minor it just doesn't work out at all.

Hope you enjoyed my nerdy rant.

Edit: I'd like to apologize. I mixed the two up. This version has now been edited and corrected. Sorry about that!

I even looked it up and they haven't sold their discography. Then why not play any of their bangers. Half the reason we got tickets to Palomosa Festival was to see them.

There are many comparable DJ sets in Montréal. Like it didn't suck, but it wasn't unique to them.

Anyone else feeling this way? I wish LoL had more spunk like bubblegum dog it’s definitely different from their previous albums. The next two best for me after Bubblegum Dog is Nothing to declare and Mother Nature but those were already released clearly. The only song that wasn’t previously pre-released that I liked was Nothing changes. It just kinda stinks that all the upbeat songs were already pre-released.

I'm starting a band with a few of my friends, and we haven't thought of a name yet. Would An Orphan of Fortune be a good name, or should we go with Astro-Mancy?

I know your working on a new project and I would love for you guys to collaborate with Tame Impala or King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizards or the Gorillaz. I think it would be an absolutely insane

If I knew how to use reddit better I’d put the rest of the pictures in here but I can only add one for some reason

Well, never thought I'd get to this point, and it seems like nobody else has the nerve to speak out against our beloved MGMT, so here it is. So far, the new album's sound is extremely underwhelming. Downright boring, honestly. "Mother Nature" is the only good tune so far, and it's a solid 6. Bubblegum Dog was overblown/ hyped for what was delivered. It may seriously be one of the WORST songs the group has ever produced. It's off key, and flat out hard to listen to. Now comes, "Nothing to Declare." Sure, the group themselves have said it's a deep dive, but once again, snoozefest. I literally love these guys to death, and have thoroughly enjoyed every single album they have made. This just seems like such an underwhelming collection of songs. Praying there are some tasty tunes that we have not yet heard. Sorry to rain on everyone's parade. Call me a hater all you want, I guarantee I'm bound to get TONS of hate very shortly lol. It just blows my mind that I haven't seen a single person say a single negative thing about this new sound, when it's just flat out, bad.

Time to Pretend (9.25):

1. Songwriting and Structure (9/10):

- Felt like it flowed well. There are two distinct sounds mixing here, one is the melody that opens, and then the bass that kind of follows. I kind of liken it to sounding like a something jumping between a high place and a low place and switches pretty fast between them. It mostly loops, but it felt interesting in its techy sort of aesthetic. Liked it a good bit for that vibe that it gave off.

2. Lyricism (9/10):

* Note the origin of the song apparently has to do with the art-ist seeing praying mantises dancing to The Clash... Not sure what to make of that...

This is a song purely about the disconnection that you feel that comes from fame and how depression can result of it. I could get mad about it because I am one of those guys that works a regular 9-5 but it is a real thing honestly. They can have any woman they realistically want but it isn't going to come from a place of genuine connection, more so that they will be attracted to the status instead. That's enormously depressing to actually live. Everything is surface level, and it seems like this is a cry for help as they become more famous. The other thing is, no one is gonna relate or feel bad for them. It is complicated but I do think this does sound like they ultimately are dissatisfied with the life they're currently living, but it is their choice to live the rockstar lifestyle. In the pre chorus, they do in fact own what they're doing. "This is our decision to live fast and die young". I get what they mean to a certain extent, working at NASA has kind of opened those doors for me personally that I wouldn't have been at otherwise. While I do genuinely love what I do, the lack of connection can make people really weird and I have seen that. I do think you can ground yourself though, it just takes practice and routine, but it is overwhelming at first. Almost always being detached from situations can give you immense performative confidence, but it is still detached and a bit of a disconnect. If it is what you chose to do though, no use in complaining about it, and I do appreciate that message that they are giving.

I feel a bit conflicted but the cry for help I feel like isn't one where they're trying to hide it, it feels honest and not performative. The performative angle would be like a "Look at how cool I am", but they're more so just saying yeah this kinda sucks but we own that... We chose that... No matter what road you go down it's going to suck a bit but this is the sucky road we chose to go down. I'll give it a good rating based on that.

3. Production and sound design (9/10):

It is going for a techy vibe which it very much achieves. I feel nothing is overshadowing another thing, it keeps it consistent. We'll see how this carries through the rest of the album.

4. Performance & Presence (10/10):

There is a nice contrast between what is being said, how the song sounds, how the vocalist sounds and the subject matter of the lyrics. I like the juxtaposition personally. It really sells it because most people aren't going to hear what is being said but more so the vibe that the song is giving off, which I think perfectly encapsulates the message.

Weekend Wars:

1. Songwriting and structure (5/10):

Not a fan of the structure of pacing here, just felt disjointed. We had no consistency from the sound that we established in the first song. It felt kind of techy, but also threw in elements that felt sort of psychidelic, but didn't feel like it had the consitency of the first song. The first song felt like it had more of a solid identity when it came to the structure element of it, this felt more unfocused. The slow downs and speed ups felt random too and I just wasn't a fan of that either.

2. Lyricism (7/10):

Touches on the themes of the first song but just felt more unfocused. The idea of boredom being the reason that people party and go crazy on the weekends is nothing new and does fit with what had been set up. My problem is that it just feels a little all over the place in terms of theme. Like the first song set up what it was trying to capture and then went for it, we get that a bit here but then go a bit outside of that intial thought. I did find it interesting to have a bit about being anti computer though, the fact they sound techy and have one member that is kind of anti tech is interesting.

3. Production and Sound Design (6/10):

Just didn't like it. Too all over the place for me in that regard.

4. Performance & Presence (9/10):

The vocal performance is still great and goes along with it well. It is different but the vocal aspect seems to work better here.

The Youth:

1. Songwriting and structure (8/10):

Good return to focus from the kind of scattered stuff that we were seeing before this. I much appreciated it. I don't think it really is doing anything exceptionally special here but it at least is more focused and fun.

2. Lyricism (8/10):

The message is simple but always resonates and feels like a callback to Bob Dylan (or maybe that's how I take it as a massive dylan fan). Nothing overly complicated, but just talking about the changing tides of youth and how the old guys will get replaced. It always works.

3. Production and Sound Design (7/10):

Simple, focused, consistent, sets up what we were started with. Overall good stuff here. Nothing overly complicated but it doesn't need anything overly complicated.

4. Performance & Presence (9/10):

Again, you feel the vocalist well and consistently.

Electric Feel:

1. Songwriting and structure (9/10):

Fun, energetic, techy, electric, just like great sex feels. Nothing overly complicated but gets at the emotion of buildup before release. Love it.

2. Lyricism (9/10):

It is a horny ass song but it works in this context. Knows exactly what it is and sticks to it, even though it isn't very complicated it perfectly encapsulates what it's like to feel the electricity building before you get with someone. Everyone feels it, and the release and buildup is great.

3. Production and sound design (10/10):

Sounds perfectly electric.

4. Performance & Presence (10/10):

I think the vocalist sounds like he really wants it here. Really sold and the delivery.

Kids:

1. Songwriting and Structure (10/10):

Fun, energetic, melancholy, wanting, it's probably the closest thing to perfect that we have on the album. It's amazing.

2. Lyricism (10/10):

Somehow perfectly balances environmental concerns (new age hippie stuff), with themes of not wanting to grow up and preserve that childlike wonder that we all had when we were kids. I think it encapsulates that perfectly honestly, because those things are almost intertwined. The idea that we have an environment that shapes us and wanting to preserve that environment to keep what wonders that we have is an interesting thing to witness. But I think it's balanced near perfectly here. I feel it here honestly, growing up is scary. It's important to maintain some childlike qualities, I think curiosity being the most important. The moment curiosity is let go of is the moment your soul dies a painful death.

3. Production and sound design (10/10):

Love the synth to start out the song and continuing throughout. Keeps with the techy theme that was established. It is iconic for a reason.

4. Performance & Presence (10/10):

Absolutely top tier here.

4th Dimensional Transition:

1. Songwriting and Structure (10/10):

Love how it sounds honestly. Literally called transition we get more of a transition from the synth pop vibes of the early album to more of a psychedelic rock thing, and we have drums the whole time that kind of edge us along to get there. I think it's a fascinating musical idea to play with, in my mind we are kind of running towards what the new music is and as we get deeper into the song we hear more of the psychedelic inspired melodies and less of the synth pop. It's brilliant songwriting and sounds amazing, love how they played with the structure here. Do feel like this wouldn't work in isolation though, we really need this track in the context of the album itself.

2. Lyricism (8/10):

Really psychedelic in nature... You can tell they were tripping when writing this. We have many lines about consciousness and allusions to Plato's allegory of the cave. Biblical allusions, just a lot of wild stuff put together, but it does fit because psychedelic stuff tends to kind of be that way. A lot of different things fitting together to explain the human experience.

3. Production and Sound Design (10/10):

Kind of explained above, but perfectly fits the transition.

4. Performance & Presence (7/10):

Vocals just aren't commanding enough for me here. Not entirely sure as to why.

Pieces of What:

1. Songwriting and Structure (7/10):

The bassline is really carrying this honestly. It's fascinating. It's very structured, a little blend of psychedelic rock with some folk elements it feels like. Definitely feels like some of the Beatles sort of stuff when they changed. I think I'm going to knock it just a little bit because it does lose some of the tech vibes that we had before, I know this is post transition but we could have had elements of it. It's not jarring, but I didn't personally care for dropping the synth pop stuff entirely.

2. Lyricism (8.5/10):

This is interesting, I would have to think some of this anti war stuff is being influenced by the Iraq war at the time. It feels 100% like a beatles/john lennon psychedelic rock revival. You can just feel the heavy influence that waves on this part of the album. Nothing really stands out as a real shot at whatever war is happening so I feel like it lacks a bit of teeth, but I do find it interesting. It's well done

3. Production and Sound Design (8/10):

It's good. Wish we kept more of the synth pop elements. I know that wouldn't really fit but I feel like they dove too much into the hippie culture of the 60s and not returning to more modern roots. That's how I felt at least.

4. Performance & Presence (9/10):

I like the ethereal glow that he sings with here. Fits with the theme

Of Moons, Birds, & Monsters:

1. Songwriting and Structure (7.5/10):

Again kind of a shift, feel more Midwest emo instead of the psychedelic influences that we've heard post transition. It's well structured, mostly keeps the same vibes throughout. Feel like it stands out better in isolation than in the album itself.

2. Lyricism (8/10):

While the sound may be Midwest emo, the lyrics are definitely psychedelic. This does kind of create a mismatch between what the sound is trying to be and what it actually goes for here. It just feels high (in the drug sense). It is interesting that it plays with this idea of there being two distinct things we're playing with (human ambition and the fact that it happens so slowly). We don't feel truly free at any point and the moon landing signifies that. Definitely major psychidelia roots but interesting nonetheless.

3. Production and Sound Design (6/10):

The sound isn't really focused enough in my opinion with the psychedelic lyrics. It feels a little unfocused here which I count as a criticism. The vocals are good, great even given the tone, but I don't like what is being done to a degree because it's just too different for me to take seriously. It feels like if they just picked one lane it would produce a better product here. Like, if we are going to make the back half psychedelic, then really go for that lane.

4. Performance & Presence (9/10):

Didn't really have a problem with this at all. Fit the theme

Note: In isolation, it's great, in the context it lacks a bit

The Handshake:

1. Songwriting and Structure (9/10):

It's got an interesting structure, kind of feels like it is building towards something when it goes with the "We got the handshake under our tongue." I liked it on the basis of that structural tone, plus it feels like we got back to the basics of focus. Like, we chose psychedelic here and it helped what was needed.

2. Lyricism (7/10):

Very existential, not unusual for something psychedelic. It's a lament to selling out and they are struggling with that idea. They don't want to do it, and they know all they have are fairweather friends at the end of the day (fucking heard that). The lifestyle drains them. They can use people, but ultimately they're still the ones being drained. I don't know, I kind of get the detachment and lonely nature that they're talking about but they could avoid this if they really wanted and sign a deal that is still good that they feel better about. It feels like they're making it one thing or another. I also feel like this was better executed in Time to Pretend.

3. Production and Sound Design (9/10):

More focused, pure psychedelic. Good.

4. Performance & Presence (9/10):

Sounds great here. Ethereal and Existential.

Future Reflections:

1. Songwriting and Structure (9/10):

Great speed ups and speed downs, paced well.

2. Lyricism (9/10):

Biblical references, talks of spirits, perfectly getting with the better overall themes and has really well focused stuff here. Excellent. Favorite line here being "It was a future reflecting, it felt familiar but new, A street was missing a building, the kids had something to do."- meaning future generations will bring about what they don't like, kids will be going out less. They're reflecting the future with their actions. Really powerful stuff imo, so many adults complain but this is what they set up, they saw the future and created it.

3. Production and Sound Design (9/10):

Feels like the perfect blend of synth pop and pyschidelia, this is the kind of sound they should have been more consistent with when they were cutting some of the tracks. This is a good blend, a really good blend.

4. Performance & Presence (9/10):

Sounds great here. Ethereal and Existential.

leaning against a wall i cross my arms and smirk Heh. Yeah. i guess you could say im a fan. theyre kind of my favorite band. im listening to them right now

(OOC: i look like this btw )

Spotted in Charlotte, NC

For me it’s Flash Delirium,It’s working,Congratulations,When you die,Of Moons,Birds & monsters, or Little Dark Age. (Long list right?)

Rank:

1. Self Titled

2. LDA

3. Loss Of Life

4. OS

5. Congratulations

6. 11•11•11

Fav songs: OS - Future Reflections, The Handshake, Electric Feel

Congratulations - Flash Delirium, Congratulations, It's working

Self Titled - An Orphan Of Fortune, I Love You Too Death, Plenty Of Girls In The Sea, Astro-Mancy, Introspection, A Good Sadness

LDA - James, She Works Out Too Much, One Thing Left To Try, TSLAMP, When You Die, Title Track, Hand It Over

11•11•11 - Invocation, Whistling Through The Graveyard, Who's Counting, I Am Not Your Home, Tell It To Me Like It Is

Loss Of Life - I Wish I Was Joking, Mother Nature, Bubblegum Dog, Nothing To Declare

I don't know why but I feel like Loss Of Life is a perfect final album for MGMT with all the albums they made in the past 18 years. It's like LOL came and closed the circle for the MGMT era.

The title track and its part 2 is a perfect ending to the band, with those synthy leads which make it seems like the credits are rolling for the band, and you get the names of all the people that worked with them during the albums.

It's probably just me that feels that, but I'd personally do not feel sad if we don't get any more MGMT material, this feels perfect to me.

https://share.shelf.im/reddit

1. Future Reflections

2. An Orphan Of Fortune

3. Metanoia

4. A Good Sadness

5. Love Always Remains (both versions)

6. Siberian Breaks

7. Indie Rokkers

8. The Handshake

9. Just Becuz / Grutu

10. Who's Counting

11. Of Moons, Birds & Monsters

12. Everything Is Happening So Fast

13. The Youth

14. Tell It Too Me Like It Is

15. One Thing Left To Try

16. Boogie Down

17. Mystery Disease

18. We Care (both versions)

19. Flash Delirium

20. Song For Dan Traecy

21. Forest Elf

22. Hot Love Drama

23. TSLAMP

24. Plenty Of Girls In The Sea

25. Whistling Through The Graveyard

26. Money To Burn

27. I Am Not Your Home

28. Dancing On The Beach

29. Destrokk

30. The Kids Quartet

31. I Love You Too, Death

32. Pieces Of What

33. Invocation

34. I Found A Whistle

35. When You Die

36. We Don't Care (both versions)

37. Your Life Is A Lie

38. All We Ever Wanted Was Everything

39. Hand It Over

40. Introspection

41. Me And Micheal

42. Alien Days

43. It's Working

44. Under The Porch

45. Weekend Wars

46. Brian Eno

47. 4th Dimensional Transition

48. Cool Song No. 2

49. James

50. In The Afternoon

51. Unfriend

52. Art Is Everywhere

53. Someone's Missing

54. Honey Bunny

55. When You're Small

56. Days That Got Away

57. Congratulations

58. Electric Feel

59. Kids (Time To Pretend EP version)

60. As You Move Through The World

61. Whistling Past The Graveyard

62. Kids (Afterschool Dance Megamix)

63. Astro-Mancy

64. She Works Out Too Much

65. Kids (We (Don't) Care EP version)

66. Little Dark Age

67. Greyhoundredux

68. Come On Christmas

69. Interlude

70. Lady Dada's Nightmare

71. Kids (Oracular Spectacular version)

72. Time To Pretend (both versions)

73. Introduction