Some songs feel like they belong to another time, and MGMT’s “Little Dark Age” is one of them. Released in 2018 as the title track of their fourth album, the song is a gothic, synth-heavy departure from their earlier psychedelic indie-pop, marking a shift toward something darker, moodier, and more self-aware.
From the opening synth line—icy, hypnotic, and pulsing with unease—“Little Dark Age” pulls listeners into a world of paranoia and introspection. “Breathing in the dark, lying on its side,” Andrew VanWyngarden intones, setting the tone for a track drenched in eerie, almost dystopian energy. The lyrics weave between self-examination and societal dread, reflecting the feeling of being trapped in a personal or collective spiral, unable to escape.
Sonically, the track blends vintage new wave influences with modern electronic production, resulting in something that feels simultaneously nostalgic and unsettlingly fresh. The chorus—“Oh, I grieve in stereo, the stereo sounds strange”—is both catchy and melancholic, capturing that feeling of disconnection, of watching yourself from the outside.
Revisiting “Little Dark Age” this Throwback Thursday, it’s clear why the track became an unexpected cult hit, resonating beyond MGMT’s core fanbase. In a time of uncertainty and unease, it felt like an anthem for a generation grappling with the surreal nature of modern life.
So press play, let the synths envelop you, and step into the shadows of “Little Dark Age.” Some songs aren’t just meant to be heard—they’re meant to be felt.