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11 Bands Like MGMT You Should Check Out If You Like Electropop

January 26, 2021
Bands like MGMT

MGMT is one of the best-known electro-pop and psych-rock bands today. If you like their music, here are a few artists and bands like MGMT we think you should check out.

List Of Bands like MGMT 

  1. Tame Impala
  2. Pond
  3. Unknown Mortal Orchestra
  4. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
  5. Of Montreal
  6. The Flaming Lips
  7. Empire of The Sun
  8. Gorillaz
  9. The Strokes
  10. Foster the People
  11. LCD Soundsystem

MGMT initially started as an electroclash musical band, but then evolved into more of pop sound with elements of psychedelia. First formed in 2002, MGMT began as a small college band. After they graduated, they released the 2005 EP, Time to Pretend. They met up with Dave Friedmann and then recorded Oracular Spectacular. Their debut album, got the band a lot of attention and success. ‘Kids’, the third song in the album became hugely popular worldwide and they got nominated for Best Pop Performance at the Grammys. 

In 2009, MGMT started working with producer Sonic Boom, on their second album, Congratulations. The album got released in 2010 and its sound evolved into more psychedelic melodies. Their song Siberian Beaks, a 12-minute pure psychedelic experience, was proof of their growing mastery and confidence over their sound.  Congratulations debuted at number two on the US Billboards charts and the band spent most of the year touring the world. Arguably their best album is Little Dark age which mixes elements of 80s’ pop and synth, producing a truly unique album. 

These albums also did pretty well, commercially and critically, and solidified their fan following. Their best-known albums are ‘Congratulations’ and ‘Little Dark Age'(my personal fav). MGMT is often compared to Tame Impala. MGMT are one of the pioneers of modern psychedelic-pop/rock sounds. If you are a fan of their work and want to listen to similar artists, check out these artists and bands like MGMT. 

Tame Impala

Kevin Parker often called the Australian Psychedelic Jesus is the one-man-show behind his musical project, Tame Impala. On all for of his albums till date, from ‘Innerspeaker’ to the ‘Slow Rush’, almost all of the instruments are played by Kevin. He composes the music, writes the lyrics, sings as well. He is a perfectionist.

Tame Impala is known for their visually stunning live shows. Kevin is the lead guitarist/singer and he hires members of bands like Gum and Pond(included in the list) to play the instruments for him. Their live shows are a sight to behold. They are nothing short of a psychedelic trip. The live shows are a technological marvel, full of sky-high lasers and perfectly timed light shows. Tame Impala has a habit of selling out arenas. If you’re looking for bands like MGMT, Tame Imapals if your best bet.

Also Check Out: 10 Bands Like Tame Impala To Check Out If You Like Their Psychedelic Rock/Pop Sound

Pond

Pond was formed by two of Tame Impala’s touring members, the guitarist Nick Albrook and the talented Jay-Watson. Albrook, who is a multi-instrumentalist and Watson, formed the band in 2008, alongside Joe Ryan and Jamie Terry, and a few drummers on rotation who would be mostly supporting the band. Pond made its debut with two self-released albums, Psychedelic Mango(2008) and Corridors of Blissterday(2009). Pond don’t receive a lot of attention but their ‘Frond’, is quite popular, as it was released alongside Tame Impala’s ‘Innerspeaker’.

The fourth album, Beards, Wives, Denim was signed by Modular Records, the same international label that worked with ‘Tame Impala’. After the release of their fourth studio album, they became a high profile band known for their incredible sounds. Their next 3 albums Man it Feels Like Space Again(2015), The Weather(2017) and Tasmania(2019) were critical hits and got a lot of praise from the music community. I highly recommend giving them a listen. 

Unknown Mortal Orchestra 

Unknown Mortal Orchestra(known as UMO) are one of the most unique sounding bands today. Ruban Nielson, the backbone of the band, is a very interesting artist. His psychedelic and weird approach to music was clearly evident from his very first home-recorded UMO album. It was a trippy production, and he collaborated with his brother Kody. He incorporated a lot of different styles of music which made his sounds uniquely different from everyone else producing psych-pop.

Their 2015 album, Multi-Love gave them the critical appreciation and the commercial success the band deserved. It combined elements disco, pop, psychedelic to R&B. The infusion created an album with one of the most unique and out there sound signatures. Although their sound is distinctly different any other band, they’re worth checking out.

Of Montreal

Of Montreal is an American Indie Pop band. The band was founded by frontman Kevin Barned in 1996. Kevin chose the name of the band after a failed romance between him and his woman ‘of Montreal’. Of Montreal is often considered a part of the Elephant 6 collective. Over the years, Of Montreal’s music and style has evolved and been inspired by the great 1960’s psychedelic bands like the Beatles, Floyd. 

Famous albums by the band include The Gay Parade(1999), Satanic Panic in the Attic(2004), Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer(2004), False Priest(2010) and many more. If you’re looking for bands similar to early MGMT, this band is a great choice to check out.

The Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips are a popular American psychedelic rock band that was formed in Oklahoma City in 1983. The main members of the band include Wayne Coyne who does vocals, guitar and keyboard, Michael Ivins on the bass, Steven Drozd on the guitar and keyboard, Derek Brown, Jake Ingalls, Matt Ducksworth, Nick Ley.

The Flaming Lips got their big break with the 1992 album ‘Hit to Death in the Future Head’. They went on to release 1999’s Soft Bulletin (chosen NME’s album of the year). In February 2007, the band was nominated for ‘Best International Act’ at the BRIT awards. The band has also won 3 Grammys, of which two are for ‘Best Rock Instrumental Performance’. They’re a universally well-loved band and fans of MGMT should check them out.

Empire of the Sun

Empire of the Sun is an Australian electronic band consisting of two members, Luke Steele(from The Sleepy Jackson band) and Nick Littlemore (From the electronic dance band Pnau) They duo formed the band in 2007 and their debut album ‘Walking on A Dream’ in 2008 gave them the breakthrough they needed. The album got certified double platinum in Australia and gold in the UK. The most popular singles from the album were ‘Walking on a Dream’ and ‘We are the People’, which went to get high ranks on many music charts.

Their second album was named ‘Ice on the Dune’ and was released in 2013. Empire of the Sun have performed live internationally to large audiences and their shows are known for being flamboyant with large sets. The band has won many Australian music awards. Walking on a Dream received 11 ARIA awards nominations and ended up winning 7, including the ‘Album of the Year’ award. You should give the band a listen if you’re in the mood for s some electro-pop. Empire of the Sun is one of the best bands like MGMT you could listen to.

Gorillaz

Gorillaz is a virtual British band formed in 1998. The band was started by musician Damon Albarn and the artist Jamie Hewlett. In a virtual band, members of the band are portrayed as cartoon characters. Members of the band include the 2-D animated characters – Murdoc Niccals, Noodles and Russel Hobbs. Gorillaz often collabortates with a number of artists for their musc. Remi Kabaka Jr, a longtime contributor and the voice of Russel Hobbs was listed as an official member in 2019.

Gorillaz explores a variety of musical genres in their music, from electronic, hip-hop to postmodern. Their debut album in 2001, titled ‘Gorillaz’ went triple platinum in the UK and double platinum in Europe. The band’s second album, 2005’s Demon Days pushed them into international stardom with the album going six times platinum in the UK and double platinum in the United States. Their most popular songs include Feel Good Inc., Clint Eastwood. You should definitely take a listen to this band and their unique music style.

The Strokes

The Strokes are a very popular rock band from New York. The band was first formed in 1998 and consists of singer Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr, bassist Nikolai Fraiture and drummer Fabrizio Moretti. They are one of the most popular rock bands of the current generation and are somewhat responsible for the rock and indie revival in the past few decade.

Their EP ‘The Modern Age’ was released in January 2001 and they were signed on by the RCA records. The Strokes’ debut album ‘Is This It’ became a huge hit internationally and got many awards and appeared on many ‘Best albums’ lists. Their next two albums were also similarly popular but after that, the Strokes slowed down a little bit in the 2010s. They made a comeback with their 2020 album, ‘The New Album’ which critics say is a return to form for The Strokes. All alternative rock fans should listen to this excellent band.

Foster the People

Foster The People is an American indie pop-rock band formed in 2009 in LA, California. The band was formed in 2009 and consists of – vocalist Mark Foster, guitarist Sean Cimino, keyboardist Isom Innis and drummer Mark Pontius. Foster the People got their big start when their song, ‘Pumped up Kicks’ became viral internationally and they got signed on Startime International. Their sound is eerily similar to MGMT and you should check them out if you’re looking for bands like mgmt.

Their first album, Torches(2011) became a hit as well and reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band appeared for multiple tours and live concerts. They also received three Grammys nominations for their first album and song ‘Pumped Up Kicks’. They released two more albums, ‘Supermodels in 2014 and Sacred Hearts Club in 2017. The band’s music has a refreshingly original style.

LCD Soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem is a New York rock band formed in 2002 by James Murphy. The band consists of Murphy(vocals), Nancy Whang(synthesizer), Pat Mahoney(drums), Tyler Pope(bass/guitar/synthesizer) and Al Doyle(guitar/synthesizer). As of now, the band if signed on with both DFA and Columbia records.

The band got their start with 2004 single ‘Losing my Edge’. They went on to release a self-titled debut album in 2005 which got them a Grammy nomination. Their most popular song is ‘Daft Punk Is Playing At My House’. The LCD Soundsystem had disbanded in 2011 much to fans dismay but quickly regrouped in 2015 to produce more amazing music. Fans of MGMT should check out this band.

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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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