“Full” is the word I would use to describe the soundscape of Imaginal Disk, the second album from synthpop duo Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, better known as Magdalena Bay. Taking not only from synthpop but trends from hyper pop, electronic, soft rock, disco and a hint of “brat” energy, the album constantly throws new sounds at you while keeping the vibe consistent and whole throughout.
A good example of this is the opening track, which opens on soft, disc tray sounds mixed with a very quiet synth under Mica’s vocals. Slowly, chimes slide into the mix, followed by a slow-building bass. The bass suddenly drops, replaced with electronic drums and brass instruments, first trombone, then trumpet. This build then strips away into a kickdrum with synth chords for the chorus.
This a trend throughout the project: overproduction that doesn’t sound like it should work, but sounds phenomenal. When listening to the song, Killing Time in stereo, the synth swirls around the left and right, making it feel as though the synths are moving around you.
The lyrics don’t disappoint when it comes to giving your brain something else to pick apart aside from the sonic barrage, pondering existentialism through the lens of a woman and her clone, who is supposed to be the ideal form of the original.
Rating: 9/10
