MGMT

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
And there were future reflections
On the face and the hands
On a green colored island
On a primitive man
It was the future reflecting
It felt familiar but new
A street was missing a building
The kids had something to do

[Chorus 1]
There was a feeling the spirit was leaving
Red like a marker
So my tribe, with my knife
Cut the heart from a lonely life

[Verse 2]
I saw patterns on floorboards
Deep in the dust was a leader
Someone was walking on floorboards
Turning from oak into cedar
He can assess the situation
I wrapped a string around my finger
Into the forest with the young ones
I don't expect to be a winner
[Chorus 2]
But as long as you feel it, I'm a believer
My heart is phosphor
Sea rolls and death tolls
Break the surface, don't break my bones
Off of the trail and off of your hands and
Onto a new plan
Is the cost to stay lost
Forever in an empty skin
Pale and thin

[Bridge]
If it's good, or if it's fortune, I can't tell
But pieces come together for some reason just as well
Their guns couldn't see us, there's a sea outside my door
And one day I'll appreciate the rush of blood and the washed out beat of the shore

[Outro]
And remember what it felt like
To be alone
Sitting in the sunlight
All alone

MGMT has undoubtedly created a masterpiece with their debut album Oracular Spectacular, and Future Reflections is a prime example of their incredible talent. The song stands out among the other tracks with its premonitions of a post-apocalyptic future and vivid imagery of young people living on the beach, leading savage yet refined primitive lifestyles, and going surfing. The unique sound and haunting lyrics make this song a must-listen for any fans of the psychedelic rock genre or those seeking a thought-provoking and captivating listening experience.

About Future Reflections

Future Reflections is the tenth and final track on MGMT's debut album Oracular Spectacular. The song showcases the duo's ability to create haunting and psychedelic soundscapes through a combination of electronic and rock music elements. The song's sound features synths that range from eerie and ethereal to heavily distorted, and percussion that ranges from subdued and steady to thunderous and frenzied. The result is a unique and mesmerizing sound that keeps listeners captivated from start to finish.

What really sets Future Reflections apart, however, is its lyrics. The song's message centers around premonitions of a post-apocalyptic future where young people have colonies on the beach and lead savage yet refined primitive lifestyles, going surfing. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a bleak world that is both captivating and terrifying, making listeners contemplate the significance of their existence and the possibility of an uncertain future.

The song's opening lines immediately set the tone for what is to come, with the lyrics "We'll take vacation on a sinking ship/And say we had a great trip." The imagery of a sinking ship is a metaphor for the world we live in, with the characters in the song choosing to have a good time despite the inevitable danger of their surroundings. The next verse goes on to describe how "The kids are still playing in the garden/Dirt pouring out of their heads." This metaphorical imagery showcases the innocence and purity of youth, despite the harsh and terror-filled world they live in.

The chorus of the song repeats the haunting refrain, "All I want to do is live my life/Sunlight on my soul--we all know how it goes," which is underscored by a simple and almost childish synth melody. The chorus gives the listener a glimpse into the motivations of the characters in the song, who simply want to live their lives in the face of uncertain and terrifying circumstances. The song's bridge takes a darker turn, describing how "The world's gone feral/It's a dog-eat-dog, rat-eat-rat world/If you don't like it, you can hit the road." This bleak outlook showcases the desperation and harsh reality of the characters in a post-apocalyptic world, where survival is a challenge in and of itself.

The song's sound and lyrics combine to create a unique listening experience that sticks with the listener long after it has ended. Future Reflections is a true masterpiece of psychedelic rock, featuring both mesmerizing soundscapes and thought-provoking lyrics that make listeners contemplate the significance of their existence and the possibility of an uncertain future in a post-apocalyptic world.

• Release Date: October 2, 2007
• Artist: MGMT