“Little Dark Age”

In the 10 years since their debut, Oracular Spectacular, MGMT have gone through a number of identity changes to shed the “shaman chic” vibe they once embraced. With “Little Dark Age,” the lead single from their first album in four years, they’re moving again, this time from hippie to goth. But these broad archetypes, as John Hughes’ high school dramas demonstrated, may not be all that different. Though the band may have abandoned the flower crown looks of their earlier career, their latest isn’t actually so different in sound. A feeling of costumery pervades much of “Little Dark Age”: MGMT heavily reference the Cure’s goth pop, replacing candy-colored synths with darker, more brooding models. Altogether the instrumentation feels more like an homage than a thoughtful reinvention, with turgid vocals bringing the song down. In interviews, they signaled a desire to be known more for the headier sound of records like 2010’s Congratulations or 2013’s MGMT. They seem to be changing their mind. “Little Dark Age” acknowledges the drama and colorful ridiculousness of their earliest material is what worked best for them. While this pivot certainly makes sense, it could have yielded a better song.