'Congratulations' are most definitely in order

Sophomore slumps are an all-too-real phenomenon in music, and following mainstream success as a psychedelic electro-rock band, MGMT seemed like a risky bet to continue that success in both the indie and commercial arenas.

The band’s second studio album, “Congratulations,” has been much anticipated, but fans expecting a replication of the hits on “Oracular Spectacular” are in for a rude awakening. The group constructs an elaborate, layered work that is more deliberate and exploratory than its predecessor.

Moments of the same explicit nature that “Oracular” possessed are absent. The band has traded those in for ballad-style tracks that choose to rely on changes in tone and tempo instead.

Upon first observation, this doesn’t appear to be successful, but each listen helps to deconstruct this collection of dense tracks. Each one challenges the listener, often walking a fine line between muddled indecision and finite layering.

The best tracks are the ones that diligently create themselves within the song, drawing listeners into the flow before rewarding them with moments of careful grandiosity whose magnitude depends on the context of the whole.

Most notably, the title track sidles over simple bass and acoustic guitar lines while its most distinct characteristics are Andrew VanWyngarden’s crooning vocals and an elegant string melody. “Congratulations” gives itself up on the chorus, utilizing the melody and silence to create an internal contrast that forms its climax and redeems the latter part of the album.

The other tracks work best in similar ways: “I’ve Got a Whistle” is a rise-and-fall piece whose concept drives through the lyrics. One of the faster-paced songs, “It’s Working,” becomes increasingly tangible before riding out one of the album’s catchiest sequences.

“Siberian Breaks” is a difficult and elaborate song; 12 minutes of different tones and movements that lack continuity and a reason for their duration. Others are similarly confusing and are dragged down by their pacing and attempted diversity, but these still make up the minority of the album.

If MGMT was torn between maintaining its commercial success and asserting its indie legitimacy, “Congratulations” is a decided movement toward the latter. It’s more of a whole and an impressively ambitious album from a group that achieved so much acclaim in its debut.