It has been seven years since MGMT released “Little Dark Age” to the masses and almost six since they cut ties with Columbia Records. In their new album, “Loss for Life,” Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser yearn for autonomy and youthful rejuvenation.

After meeting at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, in 2002, the duo felt a sense of judgment and the need to be mature, especially after the critical and commercial success of their debut album, “Oracular Spectacular.” With a career spanning over 20 years, the band is pursuing new heights with “Loss of Life” after years of digging for freedom and a carefree interpretation of their music.

The duo unleashed four singles leading up to the album. The singles talk about freedom and utilize metaphors and allusions to nature. Since they are no longer a part of Columbia Records and are now independent, they want to create easy-going and joyous music instead of melancholic.

I love the metaphor on “Mother Nature,” saying that she has to destroy their past to help them evolve. Its mellow wind and string sections add to that sensation. “Bubblegum Dog” offers VanWyngarden oozing his resentment for the industry and his youth and acknowledging how it does nothing for him as a person or artist. This song also mentions natural imagery that alludes to a climate crisis, leaving me unsure of its meaning for the song.

While lyrically, the concept of being free is consistent throughout the record, the production choices do not align, as the production is lower than their previous works. “Nothing to Declare” is an acoustic track with pacifying vocals from VanWyngarden, reminding me of ASMR whispers. The song is about someone leaving the life they know to be out in the free world, and I am in love with the lyric, “my world is like my Fine de Claire.” Fine de Claire is a type of oyster, referring to the idiom “The world is your oyster.”

The last single, “Dancing In Babylon,” is an 80s synth rock song that finally exhibits lively production with piano keys and an upbeat drum pattern. The riveting vocals from VanWyngarden and featured artist Christine and the Queens make for an excellent track while discussing the complexities of life and romance.

Imagery involving nature is commonplace for the album. “Phradie’s Song” has mind-blowing depth with connections to the morning sun and dew drops. I resonate with the lyrics about the heavy emotions that music brings and wanting to sing to your partner daily. This song is one of my favorites. The chimes sprinkled throughout are engrossing, especially in the outro alongside the xylophones.

The outro of “People In The Streets” is also fascinating, and I recommend everyone try and digest each part of it. Speaking of “interesting” sounds on the album, the titular track’s production is bland, and its outro is unsettling, reminding me of something from the Pikmin video game series.

It is not nearly as confusing as the outro for “I Wish I Was Joking,” which consists of an audience laughing and clapping at the end of the song as if a comedian ended their performance. This track is most introspective, detailing an unfulfilling relationship and the narrator settling due to comfortability while introducing a drug addiction as an escape. Drug addiction is not relatable to all, but most can understand the pain of wanting more out of someone and realizing it will never come.

“Loss of Life” displays the band’s desire for independence and youthful rebirth after years of searching for an easy-going interpretation of their music. The album’s consistent theme of freedom and connection is reflected in the lyrics of each song, while the production choices vary from acoustic tracks to 80s synth-rock songs.

The band’s use of natural imagery throughout the album adds depth and richness to the lyrics, making it a must-listen for MGMT fans and music lovers alike. While I wish some production choices were more optimistic, considering they want to frolic and enjoy themselves, “Loss of Life” is a sound example of MGMT’s artistic growth and continued pursuit of musical experimentation.