Imaginal Disk (studio album) by Magdalena Bay

After an extraordinary debut album, Magdalena Bay have outdone themselves by churning out a simply spectacular album, certainly the best of 2024. The quality and level of most of the songs is light years ahead of the average of various international productions of recent years. I foresee a bright future for these two artists. Chapeau!

It doesn't have any hit songs (none are melodically developed enough for that), but it is still nicely done and there is a consistency to the tracks and their sequence. The style is very close to Blondie meets Alvvays meets PJ Harvey: Indi-Pop/Synthpop/New Wave. The album sounds like it was produced in the late 80s. A relaxing listen. 8.5/10!

I must say I was a little disappointed when I finally got round to listening to 'Imaginal Disk' but I think that's probably mostly on me getting so overhyped about my current favourite artist's latest record. I also think the singles they released were so goddamn good that the rest of the tracks didn't end up surpassing these for me. That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed my first couple listens and feel I'm due a few more. Technically, the songwriting and production levels are phenomenal, particularly when you consider the duo wrote, performed and produced the project pretty much by themselves and still at such a tender age. I always appreciate an album with an intriguing concept and something to say and this one certainly does so. Definitely one I'll keep revisiting.

From Cargusbralem 09/15/2024 20:28

This is one of the most amazing things to come out of synth pop in a while; the hooks and production are just sublime.

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Brilliant record. The production blew me away.

From flamingyesdept 09/01/2024 00:58

Album of the decade contender for sure

From corenfro 08/31/2024 19:46

This might be the best record of the 2020s to date. If you weren't expecting an effort like this from Mag Bay you haven't been paying attention to absolutely everything they've produced under the Mag Bay name.

If there's a better album released this year I will be very surprised. Absolutely beguiling future pop with an experimental edge that isn't difficult to get into like some are. Fantastic vocals, drums and overall soundscapes - it's a 9 from me, maybe it'll bump to a 9.5 over time, we shall see..