Magdalena’s Bay Imaginal Disk is a synth-driven exploration of dance-pop, electronic rock, and psychedelia, juiced to the gills in a maximalist production style. Put another way there’s about a million candy-coated hooks tucked in every nook and cranny of this bad boy. It’s like the layered density of shoegaze albums of old with a splash of disco and prog-rock chord progressions all over the place. It’s not often that I’m impressed with an album this self-indulgent but color me a fan and bought into the process. What makes it even more compelling is how this album functions as a loose concept piece. Imaginal Disk follows a character named True (portrayed by lead singer Mica Tenenbaum in the album’s visuals) who is implanted with an “Imaginal Disk” to achieve an idealized self. True’s body ultimately rejects this disk, which forces her to undergo a journey of self-discovery that eventually illuminates what it truly means to be human. This metaphor extends into the album’s title, inspired by the biological process of metamorphosis in insect larvae. A nice touch for a really interesting synth-pop album that has a surprise up its sleeve every step of the way.
Standout Songs: “Death & Romance”, “Image”, “Killing Time”, “Cry For Me”
