MGMT are at a curious point in their career. “Your Life is a Lie” comes after they nearly dive-bombed deep into earth’s mantle with 2010’s Congratulations, a curveball of an album that strayed from the chart-topping, poppier sound found on their 2007 debut LP.
While I myself was not a part of the legion of fans content on bashing MGMT for doing what they wanted to do, I must admit that Congratulations was underwhelming. And I think the band would agree. They’ve said in a recent interview with NME that Congratulations was “paranoid” and “intentionally uncomfortable,” adding (quite eloquently) that the forthcoming record out September 17, MGMT, will be “really good.”
If there’s any indication that the new record will indeed be “really good,” it’s “Your Life is a Lie.” The song encompasses — in a mere two minutes — the depth, clarity, and musical intrigue that Congratulations fell short of achieving. “Your Life is a Lie” and its accompanying video inspired a thought-provoking, wholly imaginary (BUT ALSO SO REAL) dialogue between MGMT’s Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser and myself. It went as follows:
(BEGIN CONVERSATION)
“Your life is a lie.” — MGMT
“Hmmmm… my life is a lie? What do you two goofballs know that I don’t? And, moreover, where do you find the nerve to make such a heavy-handed, pointed statement?!” — Ryan
Silence.
“…wait, be’th it true? Is my life actually a lie? HUH, MGMT?!” — Ryan
More silence.
(END CONVERSATION)
See for yourself! MGMT’s MGMT is out on September 17 via Columbia.