Credit: Jonah Freeman

MGMT release new single ‘Dancing in Babylon’ with Christine and the Queens

Tue 20 February 2024 16:49, UK

Ahead of their latest release Loss of Life, which is set to arrive on February 23rd, alternative duo MGMT have shared their new single, ‘Dancing in Babylon’, featuring pop superstar Christine and the Queens.

This marks the fourth single to be teased from the upcoming record, which was self-produced with assistance from Patrick Wimberly. Loss of Life marks the first major release of new material from the pair since their synth-heavy pivot on the album Little Dark Age in 2018.

The French musician said of the collaboration with MGMT: “I always loved MGMT’s multiverse, their freedom and talent, their limpid songwriting and killer soundscapes. Regal, inspiring. When they reached out for this power ballad, I was honoured and also excited to dive into their dream”.

“I loved the backstory of the lyrics as well, and I work my lower register here more than usual. I felt invited into their cool movie, and I’m glad to be now a part of the galaxy,” he added.

In addition to Chris’s trademark vocals, the band reunited with director Ray Tintori for the music video, having previously been at the helm for ‘Kids’ and ‘Time To Pretend’.

MGMT say of the video: “Creating the ‘Dancing in Babylon’ video with Chris and Ray was a prodigious affair (love), requiring everyone involved to operate in six dimensions at once, all while simultaneously making a simple turkey sandwich with Dijon mustard. The sandwich that emerged is a cosmic mille-feuille that would be presentable in most high-end French diners.”

Chris also noted of the shoot: “I went back for the second day of shoot – the day where they decided to reinterpret a war scene, but with delirious soldier fits, very Cronenberg, with mushes of brain as knickers and, on my own armor, a pussy-shaped flesh. I love how the video developed into this baroque odysseus of love. I love how personal and insane it gets with them. Very rejuvenating and liberating. And also, more utopias like this. Resistance is in our imagination. We can alchemize all this world’s pain and turn it into hope, for a better future. Literally, put flowers back at the end of guns. This is a good song for that. Love songs cure despair. End of transmission.”

Loss of Life is set for release on February 23rd, 2023. Watch the video for ‘Dancing in Babylon’ below.