Imaginal Disk
{{Short description|2024 studio album by Magdalena Bay}}
{{good article}}
{{Distinguish|Imaginal disc}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Imaginal Disk
| type = studio
| artist = Magdalena Bay
| cover = Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk.png
| alt = A gray hand with long fingernails pushing a CD into an opening in a bare-chested woman's head, with a blue sky and the sun shining in the background.
| released = {{start date|2024|08|23}}
| recorded =
| studio =
- Mag Bay HQ
- Honeymoon Suite (Los Angeles){{efn|Drums on tracks 2, 5, 12, and 13}}
- IMRSV (Stockholm){{efn|Orchestra}}
| genre =
| length = 53:42
| label = Mom + Pop
| producer =
| prev_title = Mini Mix, Vol. 3
| prev_year = 2023
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Imaginal Disk
| type = studio
| single1 = Death & Romance
| single1date = May 28, 2024
| single2 = Image
| single2date = July 10, 2024
| single3 = Tunnel Vision
| single3date = July 31, 2024
| single4 = That's My Floor
| single4date = August 21, 2024
}}
}}
Imaginal Disk is the second studio album by the American musical duo Magdalena Bay, released through Mom + Pop Music on August 23, 2024. Both members of the duo, Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, entirely wrote and produced the album, while Tenenbaum provided the lead vocals. It is a concept album centered on the fictional character True. After a compact disc-shaped object, homonymous with the album, is implanted into her forehead in order to create her ideal self, her body rejects it and she relearns the meaning of being human. Recurring lyrical themes include self-exploration and consciousness.
Musically, Imaginal Disk is a synth-pop, dance-pop, and electronic rock album. It was supported by four singles—"Death & Romance", "Image", "Tunnel Vision", and "That's My Floor"—released between May and August 2024; three of them were accompanied by Peter Gabriel-influenced music videos that follow the narrative of the album, with Tenenbaum portraying True. Magdalena Bay further promoted it with a concert tour, the Imaginal Mystery Tour, which commenced in September 2024 and is set to conclude in October 2025.
Upon its release, the album received acclaim from music critics. Most reviewers praised its style and considered it an improvement from their debut album, Mercurial World (2021). It appeared on several year-end listicles of the best music, as well as on a mid-decade ranking by Paste. The same magazine also named "Death & Romance" the best song released in 2024. Commercially, Imaginal Disk reached the top 40 in Australia and appeared on secondary charts in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Background
In 2021, the American duo Magdalena Bay—consisting of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin—released their debut album Mercurial World to critical acclaim.{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Tyler Damara |title=Magdalena Bay Announce Their Second Album, Imaginal Disk |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-their-second-album-imaginal-disk |website=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=July 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711143229/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-their-second-album-imaginal-disk |archive-date=July 11, 2024 |url-status=live}} In the following year, they shared its deluxe edition, which contained alternative versions of album tracks and new songs. It was released through Luminelle Recordings.{{cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Kaelen |title=Magdalena Bay Announce 'Mercurial World Deluxe,' Share Danny L Harle Remix of "Chaeri" |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/magdalena_bay_announce_mercurial_world_deluxe_share_danny_l_harle_remix_of_chaeri |website=Exclaim! |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=July 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720151111/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/magdalena_bay_announce_mercurial_world_deluxe_share_danny_l_harle_remix_of_chaeri |archive-date=July 20, 2022 |url-status=live}} While promoting the album with a concert tour, they started working on new music.{{cite web |last1=Hess |first1=Tobias |title=Magdalena Bay Take Flight |url=https://www.papermag.com/magdalena-bay-interview |website=Paper |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=August 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825012857/https://www.papermag.com/magdalena-bay-interview |archive-date=August 25, 2024 |url-status=live}} In parallel, they worked with Jihyo and Lil Yachty, and released Mini Mix, Vol. 3, an extended play (EP) with seven short songs accompanied by a full-length music video.{{cite web |last1=Bloom |first1=Madison |title=Magdalena Bay Share New Mini Mix Vol. 3: Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-share-new-mini-mix-vol-3-listen/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006132740/https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-share-new-mini-mix-vol-3-listen/ |archive-date=October 6, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Pappis |first1=Konstantinos |title=Magdalena Bay Release New EP ‘Mini Mix Vol. 3’ |url=https://ourculturemag.com/2023/04/13/magdalena-bay-release-new-ep-mini-mix-vol-3/ |website=Our Culture Mag |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424091830/https://ourculturemag.com/2023/04/13/magdalena-bay-release-new-ep-mini-mix-vol-3/ |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |url-status=live}} In June 2023, the duo signed to the New York City-based record label Mom + Pop Music.{{cite web |last1=Richardson-Dupuis |first1=Emilie |title=Magdalena Bay Sign to Mom+Pop Music |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/magdalena_bay_sign_to_mom_pop_music |website=Exclaim! |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521033655/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/magdalena_bay_sign_to_mom_pop_music |archive-date=May 21, 2024 |url-status=live}} In a statement, they expressed their excitement for "what the future holds", and announced that "the next stage, the next phase is here".{{efn|The latter phrase is featured verbatim in the Imaginal Disk track "True Blue Interlude."}} Following a series of social media posts teasing the arrival of new music in 2024,{{cite web |last1=Ragusa |first1=Paolo |title=Magdalena Bay Return with 2024 Tour Dates, New Single "Death & Romance": Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2024/05/magdalena-bay-2024-tour-death-and-romance-stream/ |website=Consequence |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529015934/https://consequence.net/2024/05/magdalena-bay-2024-tour-death-and-romance-stream/ |archive-date=May 29, 2024 |url-status=live}} Magdalena Bay announced their second album, Imaginal Disk.
Writing and recording
Magdalena Bay began writing and working on Imaginal Disk in 2022. While in the process of the album's creation, they wanted to do something different from Mercurial World, which contained songs with a classical pop structure; they decided to "play with that a little bit". Several demos were discarded because the duo felt that they were too serious, although believing that they "sounded good". Tenenbaum said that she was in "[her] first Beatles phase and then Paul McCartney phase" while writing Imaginal Disk.{{cite web |last1=Sharples |first1=Grant |title=Magdalena Bay on How Flash Gordon, Peter Gabriel, Björk's Dancer in the Dark Score & More Influenced Their High-Concept New Album Imaginal Disk |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2276873/magdalena-bay-on-how-flash-gordon-peter-gabriel-bjorks-dancer-in-the-dark-score-more-influenced-their-high-concept-new-album-imaginal-disk/interviews/under-the-influence/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=August 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821182137/https://www.stereogum.com/2276873/magdalena-bay-on-how-flash-gordon-peter-gabriel-bjorks-dancer-in-the-dark-score-more-influenced-their-high-concept-new-album-imaginal-disk/interviews/under-the-influence/ |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |url-status=live}} She and Lewin were also listening to Pink Floyd's discography, as well as albums by Fiona Apple, Radiohead, and St. Vincent. Several other artists and albums were mentioned as inspirations for Imaginal Disk, including the songwriting of the American musician Fiona Apple, the 2000 soundtrack Selmasongs by the Icelandic musician Björk, and the music of the English band Electric Light Orchestra. According to the liner notes of Imaginal Disk, it was mostly recorded in their home studio, which is referred to as "Mag Bay HQ". Additional drum and orchestral parts were respectively recorded at Honeymoon Suite in Los Angeles and IMRSV Studios in Stockholm.
Composition
= Music and concept =
Musically, Imaginal Disk has been described by critics as a predominantly synth-pop, dance-pop, and electronic rock album. It also contains elements of pop music, psychedelia, new age, disco, shoegaze, and progressive rock. The production has been called maximalist. Pitchfork{{'s}} Anna Gaca said that it departs from the optimistic sound of pop in order to adjust to a "cynical and paranoid reality".
Described by the duo and some reviewers as a "loose concept album",{{cite web |website=Vogue |title='It's About the Big Questions': Magdalena Bay's Brilliant New Album Is Where Pop Meets Prog-Rock |last1=Hess |first1=Liam |date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=November 23, 2024 |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/magdalena-bay-imaginal-disk-interview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823050641/https://www.vogue.com/article/magdalena-bay-imaginal-disk-interview |archive-date=August 23, 2024 |url-status=live}} the lyrics of Imaginal Disk establish a narrative revolving around True, a character represented by Tenenbaum in the album's music videos. True is implanted with an "Imaginal Disk", an object shaped like a compact disc, into her forehead to transform into her ideal self. When True's body rejects the Disk, she undertakes a journey to understand "what it means to be human", as stated by the duo. The duo stated that the narrative for the album was developed after the writing of the music, with the narrative provided as a "layer of meaning on top of the record" and enmeshed in the visual design of the album and videos. Tenenbaum and Lewin developed the cover artwork with Maria Shatalova; it depicts a demon hand inserting a CD into Tenenbaum's forehead from above.{{cite web |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Jake |title=A Lust for the Extraterrestrial: Magdalena Bay Interviewed |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/a-lust-for-the-extraterrestrial-magdalena-bay-interviewed/ |website=Clash |access-date=December 12, 2024 |date=November 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212035241/https://www.clashmusic.com/features/a-lust-for-the-extraterrestrial-magdalena-bay-interviewed/ |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |url-status=live}}
Imaginal Disk shares its name with imaginal discs, structures within the bodies of insect larvae that emerge to form parts of their adult bodies. The title was inspired by Tenenbaum's reading into metamorphosis and her interest in the relationship between these genetic processes and "ideas of self" as they applied to human nature. Lewin stated the album title acted as a "double entendre" to connect the album cover's concept of "inserting a disk into someone's forehead" with the themes of "consciousness, memory, [and] awareness". Self-exploration is also a recurring theme, along with identity and technology.{{cite web |last1=Cruz |first1=Reanna |title=The Secret ABBA Influence on Magdalena Bay's New Album |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/magdalena-bays-imaginal-disk.html |website=Vulture |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=August 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823133633/https://www.vulture.com/article/magdalena-bays-imaginal-disk.html |archive-date=August 23, 2024 |url-status=live}} The duo members have different perspectives regarding the romantic nature of the album: Tenenbaum opined that it is less romantic than Mercurial World, while Lewin disagreed, considering "the historical sense of the word", and believing that it is more melodramatic and dark.
= Songs =
The album opens with "She Looked like Me!", built on a dance rhythm with distorted samples, synthesizers, and percussion. It is followed by "Killing Time", a yacht rock song beginning similarly to lounge music before reaching a climax with a guitar solo,{{cite web |last1=Condon |first1=Dan |title=Sabrina Carpenter's New Album Short n' Sweet Leads This Week's Best New Music Releases |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-28/new-albums-sabrina-carpenter-sycco-fontaines-dc-emily-wurramara/104271808 |website=ABC News |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828014504/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-28/new-albums-sabrina-carpenter-sycco-fontaines-dc-emily-wurramara/104271808 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |url-status=live}} psychedelic guitar lines, and spoken word chants. It blends both pop and progressive elements. "True Blue Interlude" is a dreamy interlude that has a similar vibe to infomercials. It is followed by "Image", a disco and pop song with lyrical content that focuses on self-identity and reflection, with lines of rebirth: "Meet your brand new image."{{cite web |last1=Sawdey |first1=Evan |title=Let the Bees Do Their Buzz: Spinning the 'Imaginal Disk' with Magdalena Bay |url=https://www.spin.com/2024/08/let-the-bees-do-their-buzz-spinning-the-imaginal-disk-with-magdalena-bay/ |website=Spin |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826172038/https://www.spin.com/2024/08/let-the-bees-do-their-buzz-spinning-the-imaginal-disk-with-magdalena-bay/ |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |url-status=live}} The choruses of "Image" initiate a countdown to "22" and "21 more minutes".{{cite web |last1=Shosa |first1=Travis |title=Magdalena Bay Want to Defy Your Expectations |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/magdalena-bay-want-to-defy-your-expectations |website=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813143748/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/magdalena-bay-want-to-defy-your-expectations |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |url-status=live}} The fifth song, "Death & Romance", is predominantly led by piano chords, while also containing synthesizers and drums. Evan Sawdey of Spin defined it one of the duo's "longer, melodramatic" tracks, marking a departure from more traditional structures. On "Fear, Sex", Tenenbaum criticizes the idea of a computer-enhanced human: "Shoulda known those dirty bastards/Would put wires in your head". The dream pop track "Vampire in the Corner" contains the duo's favorite lyrics on the album. The song is about loving a person even when it hurts to do so, as she sings: "Someone call the coroner/'Cause you're breaking my heart/My god, I think I mighta loved you too much." "Watching T.V.", the eighth song, was compared by Paste{{'s}} Andy Steiner to the "Kid A chill". On the five-minute album centerpiece "Tunnel Vision", the duo explores themes of artificial intelligence and self-hatred.{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Sam |title=Magdalena Bay Explore Themes of Artificial Intelligence and Self-Hatred with Their New Track 'Tunnel Vision' |url=https://readdork.com/news/magdalena-bay-tunnel-vision/ |website=Dork |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211192417/https://readdork.com/news/magdalena-bay-tunnel-vision/ |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |url-status=live}} Its production builds up as it progresses, incorporating a synth rock sound with a bassline and live drums. On the track, the countdown initiated on "Image" ends; at that moment, a breakdown is presented, which leads to the second act to the album.
The tenth track, "Love Is Everywhere", has a disco production marked by the use of a theremin. The song's psychedelic instrumental is a reworked version of the duo's contribution to "Running Out of Time" by Lil Yachty. Gaca compared the interlude "Feeling DiskInserted?" to "YA sci-fi paperbacks". The progressive rock and psychedelic synth funk "That's My Floor" also contains a guitar solo at the end. Its lyrics have a sense of discovery: "Never really noticed I'm the transcendental type". Magdalena Bay said that it is about "how [they] imagine a party must be like. [They have] never been to one".{{cite web |last1=Redfern |first1=Mark |title=Magdalena Bay Share Trippy Video New Song "That's My Floor" |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_share_trippy_video_new_song_thats_my_floor/ |website=Under the Radar |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=August 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904032400/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_share_trippy_video_new_song_thats_my_floor/ |archive-date=September 4, 2024 |url-status=live}} While working on the disco-pop track "Cry for Me", the duo was "obsessed" with "Dancing Queen" (1976) by the Swedish group ABBA. They wanted to capture the feeling of "Dancing Queen" into the song, although "Cry for Me" is more "moody and dramatic", according to Lewin. Tenenbaum revealed that the lyrics are written from a perspective of a character, whether a hero or a villain, who wants "to be washed free of their sins and reborn as a pure being". While reviewing the album, AllMusic's Matt Collar described "Angel on a Satellite" as a "relaxing" ballad with baroque pop and nature sounds, also led by an acoustic piano. Imaginal Disk{{'s}} last song, "The Ballad of Matt & Mica", is a self-referential track that reprises a melody from "She Looked like Me!". It closes the album with a happy ending, and was interpreted by Gaca as an allusion to Tenenbaum's real life and how she arrived with Lewin to Los Angeles.
Release and promotion
File:Magdalena Bay 09-24-24.jpg
The lead single from Imaginal Disk, "Death & Romance", marked the duo's first release with Mom + Pop Music, on May 28, 2024.{{cite web |website=Under the Radar |title=Magdalena Bay Share New Song "Death & Romance" and Announce the Imaginal Mystery Tour |last1=Redfern |first1=Mark |date=May 28, 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_share_new_song_death_romance_and_announce_the_imaginal_myster |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625131505/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_share_new_song_death_romance_and_announce_the_imaginal_myster |url-status=live}} On June 18, the release was supported by a sci-fi-themed music video directed by Amanda Kramer,{{cite web |website=Under the Radar |title=Magdalena Bay Share Sci-Fi Themed Video for "Death & Romance" |last1=Redfern |first1=Mark |date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_share_share_sci_fi_themed_video_for_death_romance |archive-date=July 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721131130/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_share_share_sci_fi_themed_video_for_death_romance |url-status=live}} extended to contain the song "Fear, Sex". The announcement of Imaginal Disk on July 10 was accompanied by the reveal of its track listing and the release of the second single "Image", with a video also directed by Kramer.{{cite web |website=Pitchfork |title=Magdalena Bay Announce New Album Imaginal Disk, Share Song and Video: Watch |last1=Monroe |first1=Jazz |date=July 10, 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-new-album-imaginal-disk-share-song-and-video-watch/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710173912/https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-new-album-imaginal-disk-share-song-and-video-watch/ |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |website=Under the Radar |title=Magdalena Bay Announce New Album, Share Video for New Song "Image" |access-date=November 22, 2024|url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_announce_new_album_share_video_for_new_song_image|archive-date=July 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723182700/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_announce_new_album_share_video_for_new_song_image/ |url-status=live|last1=Redfern|first1=Mark|date=July 10, 2024}}{{cite web |website=Rolling Stone |title=Magdalena Bay Want You to Imagine a Brand New You on 'Image' |last1=Blistein |first1=Jon |date=July 10, 2024 |accessdate=November 22, 2024 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/magdalena-bay-new-song-image-album-imaginal-disk-1235057139/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710192112/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/magdalena-bay-new-song-image-album-imaginal-disk-1235057139/ |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |url-status=live}} It was followed by a third single, "Tunnel Vision", on July 31.{{cite web |website=Under the Radar |title=Magdalena Bay Share New Song "Tunnel Vision" |last1=Redfern |first1=Mark |date=July 31, 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_share_new_song_tunnel_vision |archive-date=August 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801025516/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/magdalena_bay_share_new_song_tunnel_vision |url-status=live}} "That's My Floor", the third and final single, was released on August 21, two days before the album's release; it was also supported by a music video.{{cite web |last1=Pappis |first1=Konstantinos |title=Magdalena Bay Share New Single 'That's My Floor' |url=https://ourculturemag.com/2024/08/21/magdalena-bay-share-new-single-thats-my-floor/ |website=Our Culture Mag |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=August 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903232310/https://ourculturemag.com/2024/08/21/magdalena-bay-share-new-single-thats-my-floor/ |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |url-status=live}} All the videos follow the narrative of the album,{{cite web |last1=Redfern |first1=Mark |title=10 Best Songs of the Week: Magdalena Bay, Blondshell, Geordie Greep, Amyl and the Sniffers, and More |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/10_best_songs_of_the_week_magdalena_bay_blondshell_geordie_greep_amyl/ |website=Under the Radar |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=August 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907094822/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/10_best_songs_of_the_week_magdalena_bay_blondshell_geordie_greep_amyl/ |archive-date=September 7, 2024 |url-status=live}} depicting True being chased by a monster, left by a being of light, and implanted with the "Imaginal Disk". They contain Y2K and vaporwave aesthetics,{{cite web |last1=Steiner |first1=Andy |title=Magdalena Bay Want to Feel It All |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/magdalena-bay/magdalena-bay-want-to-feel-it-all |website=Paste |access-date=December 12, 2024 |date=August 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821144439/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/magdalena-bay/magdalena-bay-want-to-feel-it-all |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |url-status=live}} and were influenced by the music videos of Peter Gabriel, the films Flash Gordon (1980) and House (1977), and the artistry of Shana Moulton.
Imaginal Disk was released on August 23, 2024, through CD, vinyl LP, and digital formats.Citations concerning Imaginal Disk release formats:
- {{cite web |title=Imaginal Disk CD |url=https://threefourco.com/collections/magdalena-bay/products/imaginal-disk-cd |publisher=Three Four |access-date=December 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213073123/https://threefourco.com/collections/magdalena-bay/products/imaginal-disk-cd |archive-date=December 13, 2024 |url-status=live}}
- {{cite web |title=Imaginal Disk Black Vinyl LP |url=https://threefourco.com/collections/magdalena-bay/products/imaginal-disk-black-vinyl-lp |publisher=Three Four |access-date=December 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823232716/https://threefourco.com/collections/magdalena-bay/products/imaginal-disk-black-vinyl-lp |archive-date=August 23, 2024 |url-status=live}}
- {{cite web |title=Imaginal Disk — Album by Magdalena Bay |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/imaginal-disk/1751414757 |publisher=Apple Music (US) |access-date=December 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207132555/https://music.apple.com/us/album/imaginal-disk/1751414757 |archive-date=December 7, 2024 |url-status=live}} It reached secondary charts in the United Kingdom and the United States; it peaked at number 33 on the UK Album Downloads Chart, while reaching numbers 6 and 17 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums and Top Current Album Sales charts, respectively. In 2025, it entered the Australian Albums chart at number 38. Magdalena Bay further promoted the album with the Imaginal Mystery Tour, a concert tour that has passed through North America, Europe, and Australia; it commenced in September 2024{{cite web |website=Pitchfork |title=Magdalena Bay Announce Tour, Share New Song "Death & Romance": Listen |last1=Corcoran |first1=Nina |date=May 28, 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-tour-share-new-song-death-and-romance-listen/ |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528145718/https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-tour-share-new-song-death-and-romance-listen/ |url-status=live}} and is set to conclude in October 2025,{{cite web |last1=Harrison |first1=Dan |title=Magdalena Bay Add 2025 North American Tour Dates For 'Imaginal Disk' |url=https://readdork.com/news/magdalena-bay-2025-tour/ |website=Dork |access-date=February 18, 2025 |date=February 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250218023253/https://readdork.com/news/magdalena-bay-2025-tour/ |archive-date=February 18, 2025 |url-status=live}} with additional performances as part of multiple music festivals, such as Ceremonia in Mexico City and Primavera Sound in Barcelona.{{Cite web |last=Arismendi |first=Israel Sebastián |date=2024-11-10 |title=Magdalena Bay llega a Axe Ceremonia con su innovador 'Imaginal Disk' |url=https://darkimpala.com/articles/magdalena-bay-llega-a-axe-ceremonia-con-su-innovador-imaginal-disk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250208203209/https://darkimpala.com/articles/magdalena-bay-llega-a-axe-ceremonia-con-su-innovador-imaginal-disk/ |archive-date=2025-02-08 |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Dark Impala |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=Pérez Corral |first=Martín |date=2024-11-15 |title=El Primavera Sound anuncia su distribución por días |url=https://www.mondosonoro.com/noticias-actualidad-musical/dias-primavera-sound-2025/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250208203530/https://www.mondosonoro.com/noticias-actualidad-musical/dias-primavera-sound-2025/ |archive-date=2025-02-08 |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=MondoSonoro |language=es}} Sam Austins served as the opening act in several shows.{{cite web |website=Pitchfork |title=Magdalena Bay Announce 2025 Imaginal Mystery Tour Dates |last1=Strauss |first1=Matthew |date=December 11, 2024 |access-date=December 11, 2024 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-2025-imaginal-mystery-tour-dates/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211222718/https://pitchfork.com/news/magdalena-bay-announce-2025-imaginal-mystery-tour-dates/ |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |url-status=live}} At the tour, the duo played Imaginal Disk in full and in order, interspersing it with other songs from their discography, including some from Mercurial World.{{cite web |last1=Firth |first1=Abigail |title=Magdalena Bay Bring to Life the Bonkers Story of 'Imaginal Disk' at London's Here at Outernet |url=https://readdork.com/live/magdalena-bay-bring-to-life-the-bonkers-story-of-imaginal-disk-at-londons-here-at-outernet/ |website=Dork |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=November 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210041528/https://readdork.com/live/magdalena-bay-bring-to-life-the-bonkers-story-of-imaginal-disk-at-londons-here-at-outernet/ |archive-date=December 10, 2024 |url-status=live}} It received mostly positive reviews from The Guardian{{'s}} Hannah Ewens and The Line of Best Fit{{'s}} Adam England.{{cite web |last1=Ewens |first1=Hannah |title=Magdalena Bay Review – Alien Electro-Pop Adventure Could Go Further |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/nov/14/magdalena-bay-review-here-at-outernet-london |website=The Guardian |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=November 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241117194013/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/nov/14/magdalena-bay-review-here-at-outernet-london |archive-date=November 17, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=England |first1=Adam |title=Magdalena Bay's Experimental Prog Pop Never Fails to Enthral on Their Debut UK Tour |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/live/magdalena-bay-manchester-academy-experimental-prog-pop-never-fails-to-enthral |website=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=November 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211193044/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/live/magdalena-bay-manchester-academy-experimental-prog-pop-never-fails-to-enthral |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |url-status=live}} On October 30, 2024, Magdalena Bay made their late-night television debut with a performance of "Image" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.{{cite web |website=Under the Radar |title=Watch Magdalena Bay Make Their Late Night TV Debut Performing "Image" on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" |last1=Redfern |first1=Mark |date=October 31, 2024 |access-date=November 23, 2024 |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/watch_magdalena_bay_make_their_late_night_tv_debut_image_jimmy_kimmel/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211193246/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/watch_magdalena_bay_make_their_late_night_tv_debut_image_jimmy_kimmel/ |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |website=Stereogum |title=Watch Magdalena Bay Make Their Ultra-Trippy TV Debut, Performing "Image" on Kimmel |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |date=October 31, 2024 |access-date=November 23, 2024 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2286038/watch-magdalena-bay-make-their-ultra-trippy-tv-debut-performing-image-on-kimmel/news/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210115553/https://www.stereogum.com/2286038/watch-magdalena-bay-make-their-ultra-trippy-tv-debut-performing-image-on-kimmel/news/ |archive-date=December 10, 2024 |url-status=live}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| MC = 85/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/imaginal-disk/magdalena-bay |title=Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay Reviews and Tracks |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822224400/https://www.metacritic.com/music/imaginal-disk/magdalena-bay |url-status=live}}
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/imaginal-disk-mw0004326619 |title=Imaginal Disk – Magdalena Bay |publisher=AllMusic |last1=Collar |first1=Matt |access-date=August 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828223725/https://www.allmusic.com/album/imaginal-disk-mw0004326619 |archive-date=August 28, 2024|url-status=live}}
| rev2 = The Line of Best Fit
| rev2score = 9/10{{cite web |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/magdalena-bay-imaginal-disk-discovering-sci-fi-sythpop-niche |title=Magdalena Bay: Imaginal Disk Review – Creative Pop |website=The Line of Best Fit |last1=Kim |first1=Matthew |date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824014036/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/magdalena-bay-imaginal-disk-discovering-sci-fi-sythpop-niche |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |url-status=live}}
| rev3 = NME
| rev3score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/magdalena-bay-imaginal-disk-review-3784463 |title=Magdalena Bay – Imaginal Disk Review: A Time Capsule of Post-Internet Existentialism |magazine=NME |last1=Robinson |first1=Otis |date=August 21, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826055016/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/magdalena-bay-imaginal-disk-review-3784463 |archive-date=August 26, 2024|url-status=live}}
| rev5 = Paste
| rev5Score = 8.2/10{{cite web |website=Paste |title=Magdalena Bay Stretch Out on Imaginal Disk |last1=Bennett |first1=Eric |date=August 23, 2024 |accessdate=November 23, 2024 |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/magdalena-bay/magdalena-bay-stretch-out-on-imaginal-disk |archive-date=November 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118192729/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/magdalena-bay/magdalena-bay-stretch-out-on-imaginal-disk |url-status=live}}
| rev6 = Pitchfork
| rev6score = 7.7/10{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/magdalena-bay-imaginal-disk |title=Magdalena Bay: Imaginal Disk Album Review |website=Pitchfork |last1=Gaca |first1=Anna |date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=August 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826195227/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/magdalena-bay-imaginal-disk |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |url-status=live}}
| rev7 = Slant Magazine
| rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/magdalena-bay-imaginal-disk-album-review/ |title=Magdalena Bay Imaginal Disk Review: Everything Everywhere All at Once |magazine=Slant Magazine |last1=Seip |first1=Nick |date=August 19, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822220726/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/magdalena-bay-imaginal-disk-album-review/ |archive-date=August 22, 2024 |url-status=live}}
| rev8 = Sputnikmusic
| rev8Score = 3/5{{cite web |website=Sputnikmusic |title=Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk |date=August 29, 2024|author=Staff| access-date=November 22, 2024 |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/88958/Magdalena-Bay-Imaginal-Disk/}}
| rev9 = Under the Radar
| rev9score = {{rating|9|10}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/imaginal_disk_magdalena_bay |title=Magdalena Bay: Imaginal Disk |magazine=Under the Radar |last1=Campbell |first1=Caleb |date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828223548/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/imaginal_disk_magdalena_bay |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |url-status=live}}
}}
Imaginal Disk received critical acclaim, according to Metacritic. In the review aggregator site, which assigns a normalized rating from publications, the album received a weighted average score of 85 out of 100 based on 8 reviews. AnyDecentMusic? compiled 10 reviews and assigned the album a score of 7.9 out of 10.
Some reviewers compared Imaginal Disk with Magdalena Bay's previous projects. In a review for PopMatters, Sawdey perceived it as an improvement from Mercurial World, being "more colorful, more ambitious, and far weirder". Writing for Paste, Eric Bennett agreed with the latter descriptor, and called it more surprising. NME{{'s}} Otis Robinson opined that the album "further consolidate[d]" Tenenbaum and Lewin's previously presented lore. Writing for Under the Radar, Caleb Campbell said that the duo "explor[ed] new textures and emotional range".
The style of Imaginal Disk was praised. Slant Magazine{{'s}} Nick Seip wrote that the "lengthy and ambitious" Imaginal Disk finds them "at their most radical", and lauded it for "in fact heading somewhere". AllMusic's Matt Collar praised the vibe for being "absolutely distinctive" and compared it to the conceptual pop of Charli XCX and Caroline Polachek. Matthew Kim of The Line of Best Fit also described it as "unique" and said that the album "is a testament to good old-fashioned artistry".
Critics also commented on the album's narrative. Kim believed that the concept "isn't strictly important to the album", and it is "more like just a collection of pop songs centered around a common theme". He also stated that the album is not homogeneous, but "manages" to feel cohesive. Steiner opined that the duo "push[es] themselves out of their comfort zone". Gaca said that the "dense" concept generally works, but not in all the songs. In a less positive review, Sputnikmusic commended the album's "craft and attention to detail", but considered it to lack depth due to its "over-stimulated [and] disoriented" premise and cursory treatment of its themes.
= Rankings =
Several publications included Imaginal Disk in year-end listicles of the best albums released in 2024, including top-10 positions from NME, Stereogum, Slant Magazine, and Our Culture Mag. It also appeared in an unranked listicle published by Uproxx.{{cite web |last1=Sharples |first1=Grant |title=The Best Albums of 2024 |url=https://uproxx.com/music/best-albums-2024-list/ |website=Uproxx |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=December 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203175448/https://uproxx.com/music/best-albums-2024-list/ |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |url-status=live}} In October 2024, Paste included Imaginal Disk on a mid-decade ranking of best albums. The same magazine named the single "Death & Romance" the best song of its release year.{{cite web |last1=Martin |first1=Clare |title=The 100 Best Songs of 2024 |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-songs/the-100-best-songs-of-2024 |website=Paste |access-date=December 10, 2024 |date=December 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209185417/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-songs/the-100-best-songs-of-2024 |archive-date=December 9, 2024 |url-status=live}} Other tracks that were present on year-end listicles include "She Looked like Me!",{{cite web |last1=Zoladz |first1=Lindsay |title=Best Songs of 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/arts/music/best-songs-2024.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=December 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209161345/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/arts/music/best-songs-2024.html |archive-date=December 9, 2024 |url-status=live}} "Image",{{cite web |last1=Ragusa |first1=Paolo |title=200 Best Songs of 2024 |url=https://consequence.net/list/200-best-songs-of-2024-annual-report/ |website=Consequence |access-date=December 10, 2024 |date=December 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211190050/https://consequence.net/list/200-best-songs-of-2024-annual-report/ |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |url-status=live}} and "That's My Floor".{{cite web |last1=Blistein |first1=Jon |title=The 100 Best Songs of 2024 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-2024-1235163675 |website=Rolling Stone |access-date=December 11, 2024 |date=December 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203174256/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-2024-1235163675/ |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |url-status=live}}
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+Mid-decade ranking for Imaginal Disk ! Publication ! class="unsortable" | List ! Rank ! class="unsortable" | {{Reference heading}} |
| scope="row"|Paste
| The 100 Best Albums of the 2020s So Far (2024) | 76 | {{cite web |last1=Bennett |first1=Eric |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-albums/the-100-best-albums-of-the-2020s-so-far |title=The 100 Best Albums of the 2020s So Far |website=Paste |date=October 9, 2024 |access-date=December 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203070124/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-albums/the-100-best-albums-of-the-2020s-so-far |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |url-status=live}} |
|---|
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Imaginal Disk track listing
| all_writing = Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin
| title_width = 100
| title1 = She Looked Like Me!
| length1 = 3:13
| title2 = Killing Time
| length2 = 3:53
| title3 = True Blue Interlude
| length3 = 1:49
| title4 = Image
| length4 = 3:32
| title5 = Death & Romance
| length5 = 5:14
| title6 = Fear, Sex
| length6 = 2:32
| title7 = Vampire in the Corner
| length7 = 3:22
| title8 = Watching T.V.
| length8 = 4:05
| title9 = Tunnel Vision
| length9 = 5:05
| title10 = Love Is Everywhere
| length10 = 3:14
| title11 = Feeling DiskInserted?
| length11 = 0:58
| title12 = That's My Floor
| length12 = 3:42
| title13 = Cry for Me
| length13 = 5:07
| title14 = Angel on a Satellite
| length14 = 4:03
| title15 = The Ballad of Matt & Mica
| length15 = 4:00
| total_length = 53:36
}}
Personnel
The personnel is adapted from the liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |author=Magdalena Bay |title=Imaginal Disk |year=2024 |type=booklet |publisher=Mom + Pop}}
Magdalena Bay
- Mica Tenenbaum – production, vocals
- Matthew Lewin – production, string arrangements, brass arrangements, backing vocals
Additional musicians
{{div col}}
- Nick Villa – drums
- Erik Arvinder – orchestra conductor
- Anna Roos Stefansson – violin
- Brusk Zanganeh – violin
- Daniel Migdal – violin
- Daniela Bonfiglioli – violin
- Fredrik Syberg – violin
- Martin Stensson – violin
- Oscar Treitler – violin
- Sofie Sunnerstam – violin
- Tove Lund – violin
- Veronika Novotna – violin
- Vicky Sayles – violin
- Erik Holm – viola
- Mathilda Brunstrøm – viola
- Riikka Repo – viola
- Vidar Andersson – viola
- Daniel Thorell – cello
- Filip Lundberg – cello
- Pelle Hansen – cello
- Walter McTigert – double bass
- Martin Lood – trumpet
- Johan Wahlgren – French horn
- Chris Parkes – French horn
- Håkan Björkman – trombone
- Mikael Oskarsson – trombone
- Jon Fridmann – additional trumpet (track 1)
{{div col end}}
Technical
- Justin Raisen – additional production (track 10)
- Emily Lazar – mastering
- Dave Fridmann – mixing
- Willem Bleeker – orchestra engineering
- Erik Arvinder – orchestra engineering
- Pat Jones – drum engineering (tracks 2, 5, 12, 13)
- Jon Fridmann – mixing assistance
- Oliver Hill – string arrangements, brass arrangements
Visuals
- Maria Shatalova – exterior art
- Zhe Con – interior art
- Remi Volcair – layout design
Charts
==Notelist==
{{Notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Discogs release|31546321}}
{{Magdalena Bay (band)}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Magdalena Bay (duo) albums
Category:Mom + Pop Music albums