The Art of Understatement
Congratulations by MGMT is a masterclass in restraint. Released as the title track of their 2010 album, it moves away from the synth-heavy pop of their debut into a more organic, psychedelic sound. The vocal performance by Andrew VanWyngarden is characterized by its vulnerability and laid-back delivery.
Unlike power ballads, this song demands control over your dynamics. You need to sound conversational yet melodic, maintaining pitch accuracy without forcing the volume. It’s about the "vibe" as much as the notes.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Vibrato
This song requires a "straight tone." Our analysis shows users often add too much vibrato at the ends of phrases. Keep the tail of your notes flat and steady to match the indie aesthetic.
Phase 1: The Verses (0:00 - 1:12)
The song opens with acoustic guitar, and the vocals enter with "It's working." The range here is comfortable for most baritones and tenors. The key is the rhythmic phrasing. The lyrics are delivered almost like a stream of consciousness.
The Trap: It's easy to get lazy with diction because the vibe is chill. Ensure you are articulating words like "reports" and "spent" clearly, or the AI will mark you down for timing errors.
Phase 2: The Chorus (1:12 - 2:05)
The chorus, beginning with the title line "Congratulations," lifts slightly in pitch but stays grounded in the chest voice. The melody is catchy but repetitive, meaning consistency is key.
- Congratulations: Do not belt this. Sing it with a smile to brighten the tone naturally.
- Spread my arms and fly: This line requires good breath support. Take a silent, deep breath before the phrase begins to sustain the note steadily.
Phase 3: The Outro Dynamics (2:05 - End)
As the song progresses, the instrumentation builds, but the vocals remain relatively constant in volume. The challenge is to maintain your presence in the mix without shouting. The final clapping section often leads singers to rush the tempo—stay locked into the beat.
For the higher harmonies heard in the recording, switch to a light head voice to blend with the main vocal line rather than competing with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main vocal melody tops out around F#4. It sits comfortably in the middle register for most male voices, making it a great song for intermediate practice.
Absolutely. The range is quite low for a female voice (Alto range), but you can transpose it up +3 or +5 semitones in the Singing Coach AI app to fit a Soprano range better.
Focus on "onset." Start the sound with air before the cord closure (aspirate onset). Practice this at a low volume first to ensure you aren't drying out your vocal cords.
