Music Column: Imaginal Disk Album Review

Magdalena Bay’s new album, Imaginal Disk, is a surreal genre bending mix of electronic pop, psychedelic, and hints of disco. Released in late August, the album created a stir on the internet and was rated a 9/10 from the musical king himself, Anthony Fantano. The duo, Mica Tenenbaum and Matt Lewin, have built on their previous work, especially Mercurial World, but Imaginal Disk takes things even further. They experiment with sound, swapping typical pop song structures for something more like mini-adventures. For example, in “Love is Everywhere,” they fuse funky rhythms with neo-psychedelic influences, making it sound both futuristic and nostalgic. The track “Tunnel Vision” even throws in a progressive rock breakdown, adding a layer of surprise that keeps listeners on their toes​.

The term “imaginal disc” has roots in biology, referring to structures in insect larvae that develop into adult body parts during metamorphosis. In the context of Magdalena Bay’s album, this concept likely reflects themes of self-discovery. The concept of Imaginal Disk centers around transformation, following a storyline where the main character “rewires” their brain. She must discover her humanity after her body rejects a consciousness disk, implanted there by aliens: hence the album cover. Each song reflects a stage in that journey, with lyrics and sounds that capture the feeling of exploring new identities. 

Our favorite song is “Cry for Me.” It features a groovy disco beat and dreamy vocals. If you’re into this genre, give it a listen; it might just become your next favorite album!