Magdalena Bay "Imaginal Disk" Reaction + Review

[@ItzMunix0916]

best album of the year!!

[@lawbinson]

Vampire in the Corner into Watching TV builds so perfectly.

[@DantesInferalDumpsterFire]

For 'Cry For Me’, I remember someone dubbing it evil-ABBA and nothing rings truer lol

[@ShelbyShuffleMode]

Perfect 😭🤣

[@desert_sky_guy]

It is exactly that, and they meant it that way. 😁 VIP pregame QnA in Phoenix, someone asked - and Matt straight up said it, lol.

[@colecaine.]

Cry For Me was inspired by Dancing Queen! Also, this is their second full length album. Their first, Mercurial World, is also fantastic and more accessible in my opinion. Definitely worth a listen if you enjoyed this one.

[@kimyuniverse624]

My AOTY, so happy to see you reacting to it!!

[@MyGoodFriendJon]

This is Magdalena Bay's 2nd studio album, but they have half a dozen EPs, as well. Their first album, Mercurial World, is much more structured with tracks that won't take you on as many wild journeys as Imaginal Disk loves to do. The deluxe version of their first album needs some backstory: Magdalena Bay's website for Mercurial World is built to look like early internet webpages with lots of clip art gifs and surreal vibes. During the promotion and release of the album, they set up a hotline, and asked for your secrets. The deluxe version splices some of those recorded secrets between the tracks, along with a couple remixes. Each of their three "mini mix" EPs are 12-15 mins long, divided into 6 tracks (technically 7, but one is either an intro or a reprise of one of the other tracks). Also, each mini mix has a full corresponding music video on their KZbin channel. Their last EP before making studio records, "A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling", is twice as long as any mini mix (27 mins), but does it in 8 tracks, feeling more like an album with full length tracks instead of the 90-120 second appetizers served in the mini mixes. Standout tracks from the EPs include: "U Wanna Dance?" (mini mix vol. 1 - my favorite mini mix; every track is great) "Top Dog" (mini mix vol. 3) "Venice" (A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling) "How to Get Physical" (A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling) "Killshot" (A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling - not my favorite, but their #1 track pre-studio albums)

[@mwking1997]

Fantastic album 🔥🔥

[@DingLiren-nw2vj]

Honestly my fave album of the 2020s so far. Its so good, and this was a great reaction, tuned into the themes and vibes immediately

[@Ronsterino]

This album really suprised me I had heard one song from them but this album was pretty different and just on another level. Her voice has me on a choke hold atm

[@arcanemaster8722]

Honestly, the Charli, Grimes, and Chairlift influences mentioned feel like they apply more to their previous album “Mercurial World” and especially the mini mixes (on that note, if you want to hear what is essentially a Charli song, their song Live4Ever 100% is that banger). This is probably their least pop record to date, but it’s mixed so much different styles and vibes to it that it feels unique and refreshing. That’s why it seems to have gotten a lot of well deserved buzz

[@yesmk000]

even with mercurial world i feel like theyre so different to charli grimes and charlift i personally dont rly hear the influences, aside that its art pop

[@arcanemaster8722]

@ I think the grimes ones are the most apparent imo. Domino, Dreamcatcher, and Dawning of the Season all remind me of Art Angel songs. Especially the Venus fly breakdown on Dreamcatcher

[@Gabuchibi]

It was really great to hear your review at the end. I love this album-I've listened to it a million times by now, and I’m still discovering new meanings and noticing sounds I hadn’t before. It makes me feel alive and full of energy. I think it captures the essence of creating great music from a chronically online perspective. It reminds me of surfing the web in the 2000s, makes me feel like I’m in space, but also inspires me to dance and reflect on life outside the internet. I discovered them through Mercurial World, and that album takes me back to a different time in my life-it sounds SO good. If you’re thinking of exploring more of their music, I highly recommend it. I also love the music video for Dreamcatching.

[@Tomtheestallion]

this and brat are tied for my AOTY

[@yuhmuhfuhkuh]

This and the new sound you mean

[@chan_martin]

@@yuhmuhfuhkuhHey get out of here you Greeper

[@rustem108]

Thank you for your reaction "Magdalena Bay has no bad songs" I read a year ago in a comment under the song Secrets (Your Fire) and decided to check. He did not deceive

[@justsomejusstsome8994]

I listened to this album on acid and on molly. Oh my god

[@BlGGESTBROTHER]

Imaginal discs in biology are sacs of specialized cells in insect larvae that develop into the adult insects external structures during metamorphosis. Which fits with the theme of change and transforming into ones true self. The true self stays intact as the person around it goes through changes in life.

[@anakin8132]

this is their second album, and compared to their first this is def more experimental/rock influenced. their first album, mercurial world has more of a modern vintage sound with much more disco inspiration. seeing as you enjoyed cry for me so much, you should definitely have a listen!! much love, thank u for reacting to this awesome album

[@ruffmadman]

They were a prog rock band before turning to synth pop (and calling themselves Magdalena Bay). It's such an amazing combination of their prior work that works so well with the modern punk revival, but in their own unique way. And it's that prior experience with prog rock that allows this album to not feel forced or fake.

[@MartiniMartinify]

Yes! I just found your channel and I knew you would react to this. Never clicked so fast

[@ShelbyShuffleMode]

It was such a treat to listen to!

[@Ken-mz8zg]

@@ShelbyShuffleModehello beautiful lady when is the next J Cole Album Might Delete Later or Friday Night lights soon please

[@oof4447]

Love your reactions! Amazing album ❤

[@Luuuc]

So glad you gave this one a shot! ❤ There's so much going on musically that it kinda blows my mind you are able to follow the lyrics and interpret meanings at the same time, all during listen #1. It was love at first listen for me, but it definitely took me a few more spins before it all fully started sinking in. This one is a whole journey from start to end with a concept running through it, whereas their first album is a little more traditional style. And it's also great! Their "mini mix" EPs also contain some bangers. I adore this super-talented duo and am so happy they're starting to get some recognition. A lot of little elements of your reaction tell us that you really get what they're doing. Great reaction!

[@j0nhale]

You should go back and listen to "Mercurial World" !

[@scalliboy2698]

Amazing album for an introduction to a new artist

[@yubinp1791]

Love your reaction and I'm glad you enjoyed it! I was also fully engrossed in the soundscape as I first heard this album (and I was moderately stoned), I guess when Mag Bay said they are influenced by works of Charli, they meant it in the sense of synth pop and electronic music, but there is a major rock influence shown in this project (prog rock, boogie etc), and Cry For Me is actually inspired by ABBA's Dancing Queen and coming from a perspective of a villain My take of the lyrics is that this concept album explores the concept of an ideal self that has its full potential realised and the presented image of a well loved person. But in order to fulfill what the society expects of us, the personal identity will be lost along the way of turning oneself to that ideal version. I think the protagonist in this narrative was so afraid of being unwanted (Killing Time) because she doesn't fit the expectations of the society (She Looked Like Me!), so she underwent this process of "Imaginal Disk" (True Blue Interlude), which promises a transformation into the ideal self (Image) and the protagonist finally encountered love, but she hold onto it so tight that it fell apart (Death & Romance; Fear, Sex; Vampire in the Corner). She realised that in order to be a well-adjusted person, she needed to confront the root cause of her problems (Watching TV) instead of pursuing this band-aid solution of simply doing what the society asks of her. The latter half of the album sounds to me like the soul searching process of the protagonist unblocking her old self (Tunnel Vision) and learning to love her personal identity (Love is Everywhere). This album is likely set around the end of the 90s, with a lot of sci-fi elements likening technology to a deity, and that fits super well with the theme of the album, and Mica herself even said that the song "Death & Romance" depicts a scene of the protagonist sitting at home waiting for her alien boyfriend to pick her up in his UFO but he's not coming. This album is so whimsical and yet sonically genius that it never fails to amaze me every re-listen

[@ahr3352]

Obsessed with this album!!!

[@redheadedkitty]

AOTY!!!

[@ijervan]

wow this is such a treat. aoty contender for me.

[@jorgsss]

one of my favorites of this year right next to Xiu Xiu's newest album 13", lovely reaction, cheers from Brazil, você é maravilhosa!!!

[@knutt8580]

The moment i listened to this i thought AOTY was taken, but 13” really gives it a run for its money

[@ActualKuma]

In terms of albums, this is their second album. they have released a few mixtapes and eps before but this is the followup to their 2022 album Mercurial World

[@yesmk000]

2021

[@lawbinson]

I love this album. On first listen, I thought it was decent. But it has gotten better with every listen after it and it's been on repeat for about a month now 😂

[@desert_sky_guy]

Cry For Me is a direct homage to Abba and Dancing Queen - straight from the source at the pregame VIP chat they gave us at the show in Phoenix. Hope you enjoyed this album as much as all us fans did!

[@chan_martin]

Album of the year easily! Ordered my vinyl but it won’t get here until Christmas at the earliest 😭

[@JuanPabloVasquez]

loved your reaction this is a great album

[@himom5930]

Please listen to Only God Was Above Us next! Vampire Weekends newest album that’s tied for aoty for me

[@andrewjuarez9582]

Can you please listen to the “Am I Okay ?” Album by Megan Moroney

[@kate9341]

Please, react to She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She by Chelsea Wolfe!

[@firstofawll]

please react to Take Me Apart by Kelela

[@NDMoulder]

Oh she would loveeeee that

[@karsoncastellow644]

great video

[@Obbss]

Death and romance 🗣️

[@yuhmuhfuhkuh]

React to The New Sound by Geordie!

[@jaeagua]

This is super random but can you pretty please review 808s & Heartbreak

[@ShelbyShuffleMode]

I’ve known that album ever since it was released! 😁

[@jaeagua]

@@ShelbyShuffleMode his best work 🤞🏾

[@Nokegvb]

Can you please do Lil Uzis luv is rage 1

[@Johhny1102]

Any Coldplay Moon Music reaction?

[@ShelbyShuffleMode]

Would love to but time isn’t on my side at the moment, I don’t get to film nearly as often anymore! Maybe it can happen but I will have to see 👍🏻

[@mrhag2u]

u should do caroline polachek!!!

[@SPEEDM4NEOFFICIAL]

Pls Can you react to Chris Grey's Debut Album Castle Never Falls Chris Grey is establishing himself as one of the faces of a new era of R&B. Self-producing from his basement studio in Toronto, Grey’s signature blend of Dark R&B production, featuring ethereal pianos, gauzy trap drums and toxic sensual lyrics is garnering a dedicated fanbase around the world. Source GENIUS

[@alt01dz7]

aoty

[@simple5931]

hi shelby im back, can you please listen to #gigi by skai water. thank you