By Kate Wiselogel, Contributor

[Mom + Pop Music; 2024]

Rating: 8/10

Key Tracks: “Image,” “Vampire in the Corner,” “That’s My Floor,” “Cry for Me”

Indie-pop duo Magdalena Bay recently released its sophomore album, Imaginal Disk. The duo is made up of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin. They released their debut album Mercurial World in 2021 to much critical acclaim.

Imaginal Disk largely functions as a concept album. In an interview with PAPER Magazine, the duo outlined the album’s narrative, stating that it “follows the story of True who exists in a universe where aliens inserted the titular ‘imaginal disk’ into apes, creating consciousness. When True can’t process a “disk upgrade” she embarks on a journey that takes her to the core of what it means to be human.” 

However, as with any great concept album, the listener need not know anything about the album’s narrative to be able to still appreciate it. The strange and ambitious concept behind the album adds to the listener’s understanding of it, especially lyrically, but it does not make the album.

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Perhaps where the album’s concept most shines through is in the lyrical existentialism that is present throughout the album. The opening track “She Looked Like Me!” features lyrics that conjure the image of two mirrored people examining each other and eventually hugging. This sets the tone for the album’s further examination of the self. 

This tone eventually takes a darker turn on the track “Watching T.V.,” a track which has lyrics imploring the listener to “meet the monsters inside you.” Earlier in the song Tenenbaum sings that “If you wanna be clean / you gotta scrub until the blood comes out/get the spots in between/slip your skin right off / and hang it out,” adding an element of body horror to the song’s darker tone.

While many of the tracks on Imaginal Disk are conceptual and layered in their meanings, it also functions as simply a really good pop album. It is hard to imagine someone not feeling compelled to dance when listening to the groovy “That’s My Floor” or sing along to the highly addictive choruses of “Image” and “Death & Romance.” 

The glittering production on “Cry For Me” further cements this album’s status as one of the most interesting pop records that has been released this year. The production of many of the songs on this album feels very retro and disco-inspired, specifically on the tracks “Cry For Me,” “Love Is Everywhere,” and “Angel on a Satellite.” These clear influences from the past create an interesting contrast with the fear of the future that is present throughout the album. 

Tenenbaum’s vocals are also a highlight of several tracks on the album, such as “Vampire in the Corner,” which starts out more pared down and then crescendos with desperate wails from Tenenbaum and intense synths. “Cry for Me” and “Killing Time” both also feature stand-out vocal performances from Tenenbaum.

Overall, Imaginal Disk is an ambitious, weird and fun album. Whether you’re listening closely, or you just want something to dance to, this album has something that you will appreciate. After a summer of “brats” and “that me espresso,” it is refreshing to listen to a pop album that is so straightforwardly introspective and conceptual. It is exciting to see a band release such an interesting and complex album as their second full-length work, and it will be exciting to see where Magdalena Bay goes next.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/album/4HTy9WFTYooRjE9giTmzAF?si=qdTam89mQDeHTa2KSShD1Q&nd=1&dlsi=2ccd157922ab44b9