“Close your eyes. Imagine a brand new, better you. Now wait 22 minutes. Now open your eyes. Meet your brand new image! Isn’t it amazing that the meat in our heads can do this?“
The delightfully eclectic synthpop duo, Magdalena Bay, has returned with a second single from their forthcoming sophomore album, Imaginal Disk. “Image” is a psychedelic dance-pop masterpiece that blends funk and nostalgia seamlessly. It showcases the incredible synergy between singer Mica Tenenbaum and producer Matthew Lewin, resulting in a uniquely captivating piece of work.
Thematically, “Image” delves into the grandiose allure of self-reinvention. Tenenbaum’s haunting and atmospheric vocals draw listeners into a trance, perfectly complemented by Lewin’s equally chilling production. The track is rich with synths, featuring a steadily funky bassline and punchy drums. The best way I can describe this song is like Kate Bush singing on a 2011 Foster the People track (think “Helena Beat” from Torches).
The single is accompanied by a very on-brand music video that you truly should not skip out on watching. While Magdalena Bay’s music is already captivating, their music videos elevate the experience, making it even more thrilling. The video feels like a ’90s computer game nightmare, and I’m completely here for it. It shows Tenenbaum in a disorienting waiting room, anticipating her Imaginal Disk procedure. What follows is a series of surreal video montages, featuring oversized scissors and clamps waving around her face against the infamous Windows XP background, a chase through a checkerboard tunnel by a hilariously weird red creature, and the procedure itself in a campy, yet slightly terrifying, operating room setup. I truly implore you all to watch this video.
“Image” is the second single off of Imaginal Disk, slated to release August 23rd. Watch the music video on Youtube, and stream the single on Spotify.
sidney parish
New Orleans-based writer and curator that is most likely rambling nonstop about music and books.
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