Shoegaze, Post-Rock, Pop-Punk, Post-Grunge, and Art-Pop are all hallmarks of the 90’s Alternative Pop and Rock genre outputs. If you grew up with any or each of these genres, you would be able to hear their blueprints seamlessly flow into the progressive yet nostalgic sound of Magdalena Bay, even though you will just as likely be unable to pinpoint exactly how the rich sonic soundscapes of the LA-formed and Miami-based Alternative Electro-Pop project comprised of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin take you back to the roof-down car rides of your counter-cultural youth. The ability to carve themselves a niche in science fiction-influenced Synth-based Pop has continued to soundtrack their success in receiving acclaim for their kitschy releases on labels like Luminelle, The Orchard, and Mom + Pop Records.
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Naming their new album Imaginal Disk after the structures of the body that houses insect larvae that form part of their human bodies, the Jordana collaborators are enthusiastically exploring the theme of self-image and dramatic existentialism for a post-modern and digitally driven society by re-imagining the naturalist concept of an insect’s insides by re-invigorating the titular term as a distorted CD-shaped object inserted into a person’s forehead for conceptual narration, allowing the duo to explore the new emotional range and draw from more kaleidoscopic textures compared to the more collage-oriented songcraft of the previous LP Mercurial World.
Their vision of Pop as a hypnotic and versatile genre to use as a jumping-off ramp for well-produced Alternative hallways of luminescent electronic sounds and edgy, glossy rock-leaning elements to shatter conventions shines most brightly on “Love Is Everywhere.” The tenth track on their hot-off-the-press full length, prepare to be greeted by a slinky groove formed by wavering synths and crisp drums. Tenenbaum delivers relaxed vocals with a shy yet sprightly emotional quality that perfectly suits the upbeat affectations of the 4/4 kicks and the woozy, modulating bassline that places itself squarely between expansive lounge jazz and hypnotic neo-disco.
Inverting a Lil Yachty sample they helped to produce for “Love Is Everywhere” in stimulating yet subversive fashion typical for the experimental exploits of the Flume-supporting duo, Magdalena Bay have gifted us with a stark reminder in a world where jobs are becoming more freelance than ever and political leaders are telling us that change will only get worse before it gets better that humans are fundamentally good-natured and that, much like Disco at the moment, Love Is Everywhere. However, we’ve just never heard it quite fulfilled in the singular, polychromatic way that only Tenenbaum and Lewin can.
Stream Imaginal Disk out now
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