When the Boston pair wrote their dancey masterpieces on their first album, they had in mind their whimsical dreams of being rock stars. After writing hits such as “Time to Pretend” way back in 2005, the band released “Oracular Spectacular” in 2007. The album’s instrumental creativity — mostly in the first half — drew label deals and Grammy-level stardom the two had wanted.

Their newest project comes complete with no inspirational gaps, unlike the first, and makes for a solid flow of songwriting. It’s been expressed that MGMT had no desire to create an audience-soothing album of rock-star symmetry. Their new rock ballads do little to parallel their first album’s electropsych style.

There’s no doubt the VanWyngarden-Goldwasser pair makes for sensible sound waves. Their writing is fairly unique with MGMT exclusive riffs and melodies. A few tracks, such as “Someone’s Missing,” or “Congratulation,” have a good feel that are reminiscent of their first work.

The kickoff song “It’s Working” doesn’t pack as powerful of a punch as other popular MGMT tunes but is a smooth composition nonetheless. Even when the album takes some unpredictable turns, especially in “Siberian Breaks,” it still controls the boundaries of the album and the emotion produced by the duo.

This album will lose some diehard MGMT fans, but only those who had “Electric Feel” on repeat since ’07. The album “Congratulations” modestly sounds like a band trying to be conscious of its maturity. Don’t expect to crank MGMT’s recent releases in a car full of friends or be able to sing along with youthful harmonies — you won’t find it on this album.

Despite a lack of aptitude, the album is enjoyable. Strong song building and an intelligent flow will create a light respect for the band in listeners, while still questioning their truthfulness. Recently, Goldwasser offered an apology for the album’s first single “Flash Delirium,” after its underwhelming release. MGMT may not have lived up to their psychedelic, synth-pop reputation, but they’ve continued writing inspired songs.

VanWyngarden’s desire for human contact and group gathering shines through this album just as much as “Oracular Spectacular.” Aside from the validity that the duo has stayed true to who they are, their music has shifted. This particular rift in the tectonic plate of music will produce nothing more than a small shake.

They’ve mellowed their upbeat, rebellious and young feel for a more melodramatic song choice. It works, but doesn’t turn the gears the way MGMT did the first time around.