Magdalena Bay is an American alternative pop[6] duo from Miami, Florida, based in Los Angeles, California. The duo consists of couple Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, who write and produce together. They have released two studio albums, three EPs, and three mixtapes. The mixtapes are called Mini Mixes and are composed of short songs with accompanying homemade green screen music videos.
Magdalena Bay | |
|---|---|
 Magdalena Bay performing in 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | prog-pop[5] |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members | Mica Tenenbaum Matthew Lewin |
| Website | mercurialworld |
The duo released their debut studio album, Mercurial World, on October 8, 2021. They have been noted for their informational TikTok videos on the music industry and their kitschy DIY visuals.[7][8][9] Their second album, Imaginal Disk, was released on August 23, 2024.
Background
editTenenbaum was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and immigrated with her family to the United States when she was one year old, growing up in Miami. Lewin was born in Miami and is of Argentine descent on his father's side.[10] Both Tenenbaum and Lewin are Jewish.[11] They originally met in high school at a program run by Live! Modern School of Music, where they were placed in a classic rock cover band and later began writing their own progressive rock music as Tabula Rasa.[12][13][8] After that band broke up, they formed Magdalena Bay in 2016 while on vacation from college—Tenenbaum at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and Lewin at Northeastern University in Boston—and continued to collaborate remotely.[14] The band was named after an administrator at Lewin's former job.[9][12]
Career
editThey have cited Grimes, Chairlift, and Charli XCX as influences.[9] The duo released their first two EPs, Day/Pop and Night/Pop, in 2019, and signed with indie record label Luminelle Recordings later that year.[15] They later released two mixtapes and one EP: Mini Mix, Vol. 1 was released in July 2019, A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling was released in March 2020,[16] and Mini Mix, Vol. 2 was released in November 2020.
The couple released their debut studio album, Mercurial World, on October 8, 2021. The album's release was preceded by four singles: "Chaeri", "Secrets (Your Fire)", "You Lose!", and "Hysterical Us".[17][18][19] Music videos accompanying the album's singles were also released in promotion of the album.[20] A deluxe version of Mercurial World, containing fan-submitted "secrets", remixes, and two new songs, was released on September 23, 2022.[21]
Magdalena Bay performed at several prominent festivals in support of Mercurial World, including Primavera Sound in June 2022, Porter Robinson's Second Sky in October 2022, Coachella in April 2023 and Lollapalooza in August 2023.[22][23][24][25] On April 13, 2023, they released a third mixtape, Mini Mix, Vol. 3.[26]
On May 28, 2024, Magdalena Bay released the single "Death & Romance", their first release under Mom + Pop Music,[27] and also announced the Imaginal Mystery tour.[28] On July 10, 2024, the single and accompanying music video for "Image" was released. In a post-music video livestream, the duo announced their second studio album, Imaginal Disk, which was released on August 23, 2024.[29] On July 31, 2024, the album's third single, "Tunnel Vision", was released.[30] The final single, "That's My Floor", was released on August 21, 2024.
Music
editThe group has been described as synthpop.[31] After the release of Imaginal Disk, Lewin said, "I think what would be a positive thing is if we start to be seen less as a pop group and more like an ‘alternative’ group."[6] Paste described them as "a pop act with a rockist core", featuring progressive rock, shoegaze and disco influences.[32]
Discography
edit| Magdalena Bay discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 2 |
| EPs | 6 |
| Singles | 35 |
| Music videos | 33 |
Studio albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Curr. [33] |
US Heat [34] | ||
| Mercurial World |
|
59 | 18 |
| Imaginal Disk |
|
17 | 6 |
Extended plays
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Day/Pop |
|
| Night/Pop |
|
| Mini Mix, Vol. 1 |
|
| A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling[35] |
|
| Mini Mix, Vol. 2 |
|
| Mini Mix, Vol. 3 |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Voc Pop" | 2016 | Non-album single |
| "Head Over Heels" | Day/Pop | |
| "#wastehistime" | 2017 | |
| "Neon" | Night/Pop | |
| "Set Me Off" | Day/Pop | |
| "Redbone" | Night/Pop | |
| "Drive Alone" | ||
| "Move Slow" | ||
| "Waking Up" | 2018 | Day/Pop |
| "The Girls" | Non-album singles | |
| "Ghost" | ||
| "Money Lover" | 2019 | |
| "Only If You Want It" | ||
| "Mine" | Mini Mix, Vol. 1 | |
| "Venice" | A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling | |
| "Good Intentions" | ||
| "Killshot" | ||
| "Oh Hell" | ||
| "How to Get Physical" | 2020 | |
| "Airplane" | ||
| "Story" (Gus Kero Kero Bonito remix) |
Non-album single | |
| "Live 4ever" | Mini Mix, Vol. 2 | |
| "Woww" | ||
| "Hideaway" | ||
| "Sky2Fall" | ||
| "Killshot" (Slowed + Reverb) |
2021 | Non-album single |
| "Chaeri" | Mercurial World | |
| "Secrets (Your Fire)" | ||
| "You Lose!" | ||
| "Hysterical Us" | ||
| "Chaeri" (Danny L Harle remix) |
2022 | Mercurial World (Deluxe) |
| "Shotgun" (Magdalena Bay remix) (with Soccer Mommy) |
Non-album single | |
| "All You Do" | Mercurial World (Deluxe) | |
| "Unconditional" | ||
| "Death & Romance" | 2024 | Imaginal Disk |
| "Image" | ||
| "Tunnel Vision" | ||
| "That's My Floor" |
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Power" (Disco Shrine featuring Magdalena Bay) |
2019 | Xoxo, Disco |
| "Superficial Love" (Calica featuring Magdalena Bay) |
2020 | Non-album single |
| "Push Me Away" (Jordana featuring Magdalena Bay) |
2021 | |
| "Disappearing" (Blu DeTiger featuring Magdalena Bay) |
2024 | All I Ever Want Is Everything |
Music videos
editAll music videos released via the band's official YouTube channel.[36]
| Title | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|
| "Head over Heels" (Tears for Fears cover) |
2016 | Sally Hunter and Mica Tenenbaum |
| "Neon" | 2017 | Matthew Lewin |
| "The Girls" | 2018 | Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin |
| "Ghost" | ||
| "Money Lover" | 2019 | |
| "Afternoon in Heaven" | ||
| "Turning Off the Rain" | ||
| "El Dorado" | ||
| "Only If You Want It" | ||
| "U Wanna Dance?" | ||
| "Mine" | ||
| "Nothing Baby" | ||
| "NeverEnding Story" (Mini cover) | ||
| "Venice" | Pete Ohs | |
| "Good Intentions" | Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin | |
| "Killshot" | ||
| "How to Get Physical" | 2020 | |
| "Live 4ever" | ||
| "Woww" | ||
| "Hideaway" | ||
| "Sky2Fall" | ||
| "Body" | ||
| "I Don't Want to Cry Anymore" | 2021 | |
| "Chaeri" | Luke Orlando | |
| "Secrets (Your Fire)" | Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin | |
| "You Lose!" | ||
| "Hysterical Us" | Ian Clontz | |
| "Dreamcatching" | 2022 | Felix Geen |
| "All You Do" | Luke Orlando | |
| "Unconditional" | Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin | |
| "The Beginning" | Michael Garber | |
| "Death & Romance" | 2024 | Amanda Kramer |
| "Image" | ||
| "That's My Floor" |
Production discography
edit| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Running Out of Time"[37] | 2023 | Lil Yachty | Let's Start Here |
| "Wishing On You"[38] | Jihyo | Zone |
References
edit- ^ Holdsworth, Bryony. "Synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay release the glossy anti-bourgeois pop jam "Money Lover"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ Redfern, Mark. "Magdalena Bay Share Video for New Song "Secrets (Your Fire)"". Under the Radar. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (5 October 2021). "Magdalena Bay Work Out Their Existential Dread on Van Trip in 'Hysterical Us' Video". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- ^ Cohn, Ben (October 15, 2021). "Album Review: Magdalena Bay – Mercurial World". Beats Per Minute. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ Sawdey, Evan (August 26, 2024). "Let the Bees Do Their Buzz: Spinning the 'Imaginal Disk' With Magdalena Bay". SPIN. Archived from the original on August 26, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ a b "Magdalena Bay: ""I think what would be a positive thing is if we start to be seen less as a pop group and more like an 'alternative' group" | Interview". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ Zhang, Cat (21 December 2020). "A Year in Music on TikTok". Pitchfork. Conde Nast. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ a b Fulton, Nick. "Magdalena Bay's uplifting pop is what we need right now". i-D. Vice Media. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Zhang, Cat (20 July 2021). "Magdalena Bay Are More Online Than You". Pitchfork. Conde Nast. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ Tenenbaum, Mica. "Self-Portrait: Magdalena Bay". Under the Radar Magazine. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ^ "Self-Portrait: Magdalena Bay". Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ a b Zenyatta, Eugene (4 March 2020). "Five questions: Magdalena Bay". Philadelphia Weekly. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Magdalena Bay – Luminelle Recordings". luminellerecs.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ Gibbs, Jessica. "Even From Afar, Magdalena Bay Represents Miami With Its Glistening Pop". Miami New Times. Voice Media Group. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ "NEW VIDEO: Magdalena Bay – "Mine"". HighClouds. 8 July 2019. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Magdalena Bay: A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling EP". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2023-01-27. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ a b Russell`, Scott (29 June 2021). "Magdalena Bay Announce Debut Album Mercurial World, Share Lead Single "Chaeri"". pastemagazine.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ Petrillo, Lisa (6 October 2021). "Musical Miami Duo 'Magdalena Bay' Gaining Attention & Fans". CBS Miami. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ Snapes, Laura (8 October 2021). "Magdalena Bay: Mercurial World review – poolside pop with seductive charm". the Guardian. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Meet Magdalena Bay, the Maverick Duo Crafting Sweet-and-Sour Pop Bangers". Vogue. 2022-08-24. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ "Magdalena Bay Share New Song "Unconditional": Listen". Stereogum. 2022-09-20. Archived from the original on 2022-09-25. Retrieved 2022-09-23.
- ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (2022-06-09). "6 Highlights From Primavera a la Ciutat 2022". Our Culture. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ Kato, Yoshi (October 28, 2022). "Porter Robinson's Second Sky festival returns to the Bay Area. Here's what you need to know". Datebook. Archived from the original on 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
- ^ Callwood, Brett (2023-04-21). "Magdalena Bay and Their Mercurial Coachella – LA Weekly". www.laweekly.com. Archived from the original on 2023-04-26. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (2 August 2023). "Lollapalooza 2023 Hulu Livestream Schedule & Details Announced". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Magdalena Bay Release New Seven-Song EP 'Mini Mix Vol. 3': Stream". Stereogum. 2023-04-13. Archived from the original on 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ "Magdalena Bay sign to Mom+Pop and share their new single, "Death & Romance"". Archived from the original on 2024-06-08. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
- ^ Corcoran, Nina (2024-05-28). "Magdalena Bay Announce Tour, Share New Song "Death & Romance"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ Monroe, Jazz (2024-07-10). "Magdalena Bay Announce New Album Imaginal Disk, Share Song and Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
- ^ "Magdalena Bay Share New Single "Tunnel Vision": Listen". Stereogum. 2024-07-31. Archived from the original on 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ "Magdalena Bay Explore New Territory on Extraterrestrial Single "Death & Romance"". FLOOD. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ "The 100 Best Albums of the 2020s So Far".
- ^ "Current Album Sales: December 4, 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ "Heatseekers Albums: December 4, 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ "A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling – Magdalena Bay". Amazon. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Magdalena Bay – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (January 27, 2023). "Stream Lil Yachty's new psychedelic rock-inspired album; credits include Mac DeMarco, Alex G, Magdalena Bay & more". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ "JIHYO The 1st Mini Album "ZONE" Tracklist". Twice Official Website. July 31, 2023. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.