MGMT returns with some bite on “When You Die,” the presumed second single from their forthcoming, highly-anticipated fourth studio album.

“Go f*ck yourself / You heard me right / Don’t call me nice again.” Safe to say, alternative duo MGMT ‘have an attitude’ on “When You Die,” their second and final single from 2017.  “When You Die” follows up the sensational comeback single, “Little Dark Age.” All singles, including third offering “Hand It Over” precede their highly-anticipated fourth studio album, their first since 2013.

From the jump, the “When You Die” sounds mysterious – quirky and left of center. It’s not initially foreboding, but characterizing it as the least bit celestial would be far off base. Andrew Vanwyngarden exhibits bite vocally, conveying the “mean” tilt of the lyrics.

“I’m not that nice / I’m mean and I’m evil / Don’t call me nice / I’m gonna eat your heart out / I’ve got some work to do / Baby, I’m ready, I’m ready, ready, ready to blow my lid off.”

Creepy. PSYCHO…logical. Suicidal… Disturbing. Anyways, the second verse, excerpted at the top of the review, gets even more twisted, trading the blowing of one’s “lid” for “brains.”  Later, on the third verse, the curses and meanness continues (“Go f*ck yourself / I’m mean, not nice… / Don’t you have somewhere to be at seven thirty?”).  The chorus sums up the darkness, with some incredibly disturbing humor.

“You die / And words won’t do anything / It’s permanently night / And I won’t feel anything We’ll all be laughing with you when you die.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, “When You Die” is another terrific, compelling MGMT record.  It’s energetic, particularly the vocals, well-written, and well-produced.  “Little Dark Age,” “When You Die,” and “Hand it Over” certainly set up MGMT for a successful comeback.

MGMT • When You Die – Single • Columbia • Release: 12.15.17

Writers: Andrew Vanwyngarden, Ben Goldwasser; Producers: MGMT, Patrick Wimberly, Dave Fridmann

Photo Credit: Columbia