I tend to argue an artist is only as good at their production. What is a song without production? A poem? Quality production doesn’t mean constant layering and throwing every subtle sound bite that comes to mind into the mix. It’s a matter of finding a balance between necessity and complexity that compliments the story being told. Leaning into either way can lead to a song’s inability to maximize its potential.
Do I personally make music and understand the difficulty and experience that comes with producing? Nuh-uh. I obnoxiously harp on the topic because it’s not common for you to find tracks, or artists in general, that find that sweet spot. But when they do, oh boy, when they do, it’s the most magical, ascending, audio-gold, luke-warm water at 4 am feeling you can experience. And the band, Magdalena Bay, has it in the bag.
Coming off their near 3-year album hiatus, Magdelena Bay released their sophomore project titled Imaginal Disk, an alternative, synth-pop cumulation of 15 tracks that builds on the band’s distinct sound. But this time, dialing it in and mastering it. Perhaps while doom-scrolling you’ve already heard bits of the more notable tracks such as the hottest of the bunch “Image,” or even “Death and Romance,” released early as a part of the album’s rollout promotion. Both these tracks deserve their praise and are worth listening to. Both are cut from a similar cloth; fast-paced, catchy chorus with beautifully directed build-up. But after the now countless repeated listens I’ve done of this album, I find myself constantly returning to one specific track that captivates Magdalena Bay at its peak, “Cry for Me.”
“Plenty of time here to nurture consequence /
If you don’t hear back, then God had other plans /
I leave all my dregs to all my progeny /
Cry for me /
Cry for me”
“Cry for Me” Is best described as a futuristic yet simultaneously retro drive on Mario Kart’s Rainbow Road. Pairing with a story that isn’t inherently obvious to the listener, but is still mysterious and intriguing. A contributor on Genius best put lead singer Mica Tenenbaum’s characterization in the song as nearly-villainous. The production backs this up with deep, rich synths that are given the reigns between verses. When Mica does get on the mic, it’s layered tastefully, with a composition of piano and reverb that twists a rather traditional sound into something that still flows with the experimental theme.
I hesitantly admit the song’s story goes over my head a good amount as I get sucked into the track’s sound. As mentioned in a previous article on the band, the band leaves much of it up to self-interpretation, yet the verses still make for some great singing in the shower karaoke. Overall, a great track to get on to set a badass tone for this upcoming fall. If you’re looking for a sound that teleports you to a disco floor in Blade Runner 2049, Magdalena Bay’s newest album Imaginable Disk will do that and more. Unfortunately, no promises you’ll run into Ryan Gosling while you’re there.
