Spinner

MGMT Say 'Sorry' for New Song 'Flash Delirium'

MGMTCongratulations, MGMT, your new song 'Flash Delirium' has the music kingdom all atwitter. Not only because it's a free official download, but because it's a whiplash-inducing 180 from the dancepop-singalong-of-the-decade that was 'Kids.'

With barely a chorus, and careening from dreamy psychedelia to mid-tempo synthpop ballad to majestic rock opera, until it breaks down in a fast and furious garage rock climax, one can see it's not a single per se. But that's not a bad thing.

"When we first wrote that song, we were laughing so hard," MGMT's Ben Goldwasser tells Spinner. "Andrew [VanWyngarden] just reminded me of that -- that we thought it was the funniest thing we'd ever heard. And then we got used to it, it started to sound more normal. It's not a single, but we thought it was a good way to entice people to listen to the whole record. I'm sure there are plenty of people who think it's completely weird and not what they were expecting. I'm sorry."

'Flash Delirium' is the first peek at the band's sophomore album, 'Congratulations,' due April 13. Goldwasser calls the disc a response to the duo's rocketing to Grammy-level stardom in 2008.

"We're trying to come to grips with that world," he admits. "It's not our world. We don't feel comfortable in it. But we didn't want to make that typical second album either, about fame. So we're definitely observing it, as opposed to revelling in it."

As for the experimental instrumental number titled 'Lady Dada's Nightmare' being a comment on a certain fame monster, Goldwasser will admit only that it's "wordplay."

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SFCritic

Hate, and love to nit-pick, but shouldn't "revelling," be "reveling" in the second to last quote by Goldwasser. Editor, editor, uhm?

SFCritic

April 04 2010 at 10:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cole

they're apologizing because they're trying to be mainstream douchebags...Flash Delirium is who they are whether they like it or not and its wonderful...this is genuine. They're comments tell me Congratulations is going to be really popish, not psychodelic like this. They'll chase the fame.

I hope I'm wrong.

March 16 2010 at 2:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Patrick`

From one who's not a an MGMT super fan, there's nothing wrong with the song at all and there's no need to apologize! I actually like it. It's got a Roxy Music sorta feel.

March 15 2010 at 9:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Shari

Honestly, I liked Flash Delirium better than their other songs! Don't know what that says about me.

March 13 2010 at 5:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mark mcCann

love flash delerium, i've listened to it dozens of times alread. im expecting 'congratulations' to push some boundaries in their career, at least the success of 'oracular spectacular' isnt dumbing down their creativity to something made to appease the masses of fans who loved it. this new style their trying is great, and i cant wait the album release.

March 13 2010 at 3:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ashley daisy

Oh boys! Don't apologize. Flash Delirium IS hysterical, and that's why it's so amazing. The real fans are not dissappointed. Check the MGMT forum, the majority are in love with it. I'm so excited for Congratulations. It comes out on my birthday! *sorry, fangirl here* :D

March 13 2010 at 1:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sarah

They should never apologise for a song! There is nothing wrong with the song, anyway!

March 12 2010 at 10:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stevh

I like it just fine the way it is. The only thing I would have added to the ending is a baby laughing.
Number 9,.number 9,.number 9,.number 9,.number 9,.number 9,.number 9,.number 9,.

March 12 2010 at 8:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Candace

I don't understand what's so "freaky" about it, or why it's a big deal. I don't think it's a phenomenal song, I mean it doesn't seem like something I'll want to listen to constantly, like I did with multiple songs on the last album, but I don't think it's anything that they need to apologize for, either. They can't make the same record over and over again, and this is what they came up with. Like it or don't, they're still a great band.

March 12 2010 at 6:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply