Magdalena Bay’s newest album, “Imaginal Disk”, is many things: a potential candidate for an Album of the Year, a story of an alien’s journey toward self-discovery and perhaps at its most obvious face-value, the sophomore synth-pop brainchild of the ambitious duo of Matthew Lewin and Mica Tenenbaum. The album combines Tenenbuam’s quiet yet strong vocals with everything from cacophonic keyboards to harmonious harps over its 53 minutes with a little bit of synth-pop magic sprinkled in between the calm, soothing instrumentals and the harsh, domineering crescendos.
More than simply just another album with catchy tunes and a pretty cover, “Imaginal Disk” is an effort to break out of the norms of modern-day music, similar to the progressive pop of the ‘70s and ‘80s, which featured songs like Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky”. In combination with the duo’s surrealist music videos posted on their YouTube channel and interactive retro website, the album builds the world of True, an alien who learns to navigate the world and her confusing emotions over the course of the 15 tracks.
The opening track, “She Looked Like Me!”, is an energetic intro that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Light keys and Tenenbaum’s gentle voice gradually swell into banging drums, blaring horns and brash lyrics, which tell the story of True’s struggle with self-acceptance and love, which will both be revisited throughout the album.
Listening to “Watching T.V.” feels like exploring a strange new planet where every step forward is an exciting step into the unknown.
“Tunnel Vision” expresses True’s feeling of being uncomfortable with her own person but also her gradual realization and eventual acceptance of who she is, and the subsequent track, “Love Is Everywhere”, takes these feelings of love and liberation and runs with it, signifying True’s realization that things will be for the better if she focuses on finding love where she can.
The energy continues into the climax of the album, “Cry For Me”, where ABBA-esque tunes add another layer to the depth of the album. The penultimate track, “Angel on a Satellite”, begins and ends with an extended, mellow piano section that, in accompaniment with the unapologetic, care-free lyrics that signify True’s growth and acceptance of who she is, give the feeling of saying goodbye to a childhood friend for the last time.
And after a 49-minute rollercoaster of emotions, the final track, “The Ballad of Matt and Mica”, is a cheerful goodbye with elated lyrics reminiscent of The Jackson 5’s music but with that classic experimental twist that’s found throughout the album.
Overall, “Imaginal Disk” is a unique experience that draws the listener into its world, whether they want to be or not, with its nearly hypnotizing combination of heartfelt lyrics and unique instrumentals. It earns a 9.2 rating for its capturing story, meaningful message and astonishing tracks. It’s hard to find solo songs, nevertheless, 53-minute albums, that truly transport listeners away from the material world, and “Imaginal Disk” does just that.
And it does it well.
