ABOUT.COM BY BILL LAMB (FEBRUARY 17, 2010)
MGMT Unveil "Lowbrow" Cover For Upcoming Album Congratulations
Obviously a cover doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the music that will be contained inside an album. However, it can set a tone and generate anticipation for what is to come. With that said, the new MGMT album cover for the album Congratulations, due in stores April 13, 2010, is piquing my interest. MGMT were nominees this year for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards. They also received a nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group for the song "Kids." A remix of their song "Electric Feel" won the Grammy for Best Non-Classical Remixed Recording. It looks like 2010 could very well be the year MGMT explode into the pop mainstream around the world.
For the cover of Congratulations the duo decided to turn to artist Anthony Ausgang. He is celebrated as a pioneer of the art movement referred to as Lowbrow. It is characterized by cartoony depictions of nostalgic, working class, and counter-cultural imagery. Ausgang hooked up with MGMT while they were recording Congratulations. According to a recent interview, he left drawings around for the duo to check out and his book Vacation From Reality. MGMT liked the look of Ausgang's work. They gave him some pointers for what they wanted on the album cover then let him execute it in his own style. MGMT have spoken publicly about preferring Congratulations to be released without singles preferring fans to listen to the album as a whole.