A Fast-Paced Psychedelic Tribute
"Brian Eno" is a standout track from MGMT's 2010 album Congratulations. Written as a humorous and affectionate tribute to the legendary ambient producer, the song is characterized by its manic energy and rapid-fire lyrics. Unlike a power ballad, the challenge here isn't hitting high notes—it's maintaining rhythm, diction, and breath control while delivering the lines with a specific indie-rock attitude.
Andrew VanWyngarden utilizes a vocal style that sits somewhere between singing and rhythmic speaking in the verses, before opening up into a more melodic chorus. Let's break down how to capture that specific MGMT sound.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Diction
Because the tempo is high, vowels can get swallowed. Ensure you are articulating the consonants crisply, especially in lines like "tired of the old sounds." Our analysis rewards clear pronunciation over volume.
Phase 1: The Verses (The Patter)
The verses move quickly. The melody stays relatively flat, hovering around the middle of the chest voice range. The key here is not to sing too "prettily." You want a slightly detached, deadpan delivery that mimics the post-punk or new wave style.
The Trap: Running out of breath. Because there are few pauses, you need to snatch quick breaths ("sipping" the air) at the end of every second line rather than waiting for a big gap that never comes.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Hook)
When the line "Brian Eno!" hits, the energy shifts. The vocal melody jumps up and requires more forward placement. You want to brighten your tone here to cut through the dense synthesizer mix.
- Placement: Move the resonance from your chest to your "mask" (the front of your face/nose area) to get that nasal indie pop quality.
- Dynamics: The chorus should be significantly louder than the verses to provide contrast.
Phase 3: The Bridge & Outro
The song descends into a psychedelic breakdown. Vocally, this section allows for more freedom. You can slide between notes (portamento) and let the strict rhythm relax slightly. The final sections require stamina as the song maintains its high energy to the very end.
Keep your larynx neutral. If you raise it to try and add excitement, you'll fatigue quickly. Let the rhythm section do the heavy lifting for the energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest sustained notes in the main melody hit around a G4, though there are incidental harmonies that may go higher. It is very accessible for most male voices.
Generally, no. The main vocal line is sung in a chest or mixed voice. However, adding light falsetto to backing harmonies can add to the psychedelic texture.
Use the Singing Coach AI app to slow the track down to 75% speed. Master the diction at a slower tempo first, then gradually speed it back up to full tempo.
