By Sophie Scannell, Music Subeditor
Last summer saw the eruption of Magdalena Bay's sophomore album, Imaginal Disk, onto the radars of synth pop apologists everywhere. Futuristic and floaty, the album ruminates on what it means to be human, experience natural emotion, and near closer to an idealised version of the self. Thankfully, the record is as expansive and complex in its sound as it is in sentiment.
An immersive dreamscape, the liminal feeling of the album was translated palpably to the live show - within seconds, the opening instrumental and cavernous ‘hello’ that accompanied the band's entrance nestled us neatly into the haunting yet enticing realm that they'd created.
The major applause of a very dedicated fanbase paved the way for the band to rattle through much of the acclaimed album, as well as some other favourites from their long-spanning, much-loved discography.
No support act needed, the band floated through a galaxy of electronic goodness - futuristic yet not jarringly jolty, Imaginal Disk was the perfect release to end last year's summer with, and is seemingly just as handy to see us into this summer, too.
The production of the record was translated masterfully into their live show in my opinion, with 'That's My Floor' being as explosive and captivating as it was when listening for the first time. The sonic laser that rips into the last chorus was a stand-out moment of the album for me, and on the night it did far from disappoint.
The tranquilising rhythmic dialling of 'Tunnel Vision' and 'Vampire in the Corner' were accompanied by swirling hypnotic patterns that took over two snow-white styled magic mirrors on stage, perfectly simulating the trance we'd found ourselves under mid-way through the set.
'Love Is Everywhere', a personal favourite, is the extended arm offering a hand to the gates of synth-pop utopia - and by the first chorus I would’ve followed frontwoman Mica Tenenbaum just about anywhere.
The definitive cornerstone of the band’s sound has to be Mica's enchanting voice. Moaning yet airy, there is a sultriness to her vocal that fits the themes of both romance and fear that the latest album encompasses - as tonally haunting as it is undeniably sexy.
Scaling their impact this time round on a larger-capacity tour with curiously beautiful set design and wonderfully outlandish costume changes, they have upped the ante in sound, sight, and spirit. Watching the show was certainly getting me one step closer to the 'purest you' that Mica sets out to find at the beginning of both the album and the performance.
As 'The Ballad of Matt & Mica' suggests, their show and artistic partnership is certainly 'not ordinary', and closing their set with this song wraps up what had been an immersive dive into the mystical world they have fashioned through their sweet synth and expertly-crafted basslines.
For students like myself heading home for a little while, Magdalena Bay picked us up out of our exam season slump and began soundtracking an ascension into summer that only past-me could've dreamt of.
Featured Image: ElectricWhat was your farewell gig of the term?
