"Image" by Magdalena Bay // Song Review

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Magdalena Bay's "Image" is an electrifying blend of electronic synth-pop, disco, and avant-garde influences, creating a listening experience that feels both surrealist and hypnotic. It is a standout track from their 2024 sophomore conceptual album Imaginal Disk, which further expands their signature sound with a grungy, futuristic edge in a way that is so captivating from beginning to end. 

Within the context of the conceptual framework of the rest of the album, "Image" details the protagonist undergoing "True Blue" process, an experiment designed to rewire her brain so she can finally achieve her ideal self. The meaning behind "Image" represents the ability to finally achieve one's ideal self, based on society's expectations for what that entails, which is a pivotal moment in the album's greater storyline. Even outside the context of Imaginal Disk's deeper narrative, "Image" remains one of the album's most infectious tracks. It is eclectic and forward-thinking in a way that really does push the boundaries within the traditional framework of genres. 

In a press release alongside the release of the song, Magdalena Bay, the alt-pop duo made up of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, introduced the story of "Image" by saying, "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 dreamlike quality of the writing and production really bring this concept to life in such a captivating way. "But oh, my God, twenty-two more minutes, oh, so hot, meet your brand new image," Mica sings in the chorus. 

The immersive production, surrealist synth elements, and conceptual storytelling make it an essential moment on the album. Imaginal Disk is one of my favorite recent music discoveries of the past year, it's a really great album even without knowing the context of the characters and storylines of each track, but its a cool added element to listen to it through the lens of the story they built into the sequencing of the songs. Their forward-thinking approach to making music and the immersive synth production makes it such a stand out track from the duo. 

Check out more from my song of the week series here. ☆ Thanks for reading!




Photo Credit: Mom+Pop, Magdalena Bay



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