Tribeca 2026: ‘Imaginal Disk,’ the Concept Album from ‘Magdalena Bay’ is Artistic Splendor — if Overlong

Showing at this year’s Tribeca Festival, “Imaginal Disk” is a hard film to review. Running at 53 minutes, the film is an accompanying concept album for synth duo Magdalena Bay’s’s second album. The music is fantastic — I immediately fell I love with the smooth vocals and trance-like bass. I left the screening feeling like I’d love to listen to more of the band’s work. If “Imaginal Disk” is any indication of the euphoric, dreamlike feelings their music imparts, I’m game. However, the presentation of the accompanying video, “Imaginal Disk” — while immersive — can be a bit daunting as a film. While the colors, choreography, and experience is professionally tight, my only critique is that 53 minutes is a long time to sit and watch an immersive music video. 

Magdalena Bay consists of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, yet Tenenbaum is the clear star of the concept film. “Imaginal Disk” is very artistic, with Tenenbaum donning — and dancing — in a number of outfits and accompanying makeup jobs, all of which help the film flow and become alive. Tenenbaum’s character is credited as ‘True’ and ‘The Ghost,’ and the physical performance asked of her is something you need to see to believe. While most of “Imaginal Disk” is Tenenbaum singing, dancing, and miming, there is also an abundance of facial acting on her part. Aside from the physical demands (I can’t imagine staying in costume for this long nor staying in active dance for the duration this film demands), there’s also a lot of facial expressing. Tenenbaum sells emotions to us with her eyes — often shining beneath blue or red makeup that enhances their natural beauty — until appearing at the film’s end with little makeup at all. It’s quite a journey. 

An Album Concept

Her partner, Matthew Lewin, has less to do but is content to provide instrumentation (keyboards, synth, guitar, etc.) while also appearing in costume. He’s billed as ‘The Doctor,’ and appears in multiple scenes alongside Tenenbaum. His appearances often blend in with the plethora of choreographed dancers the film requires. The whole thing must have taken a lot of work to master, and director Amanda Kramer deserves credit for putting it all together and pushing forth the vision. 

As for the concept video itself, “Imaginal Disk” (often including a ‘disk’ being inserted physically into Tenenbaum’s actual forehead) is very trance, very otherworldly, and very psychedelic. The juxtaposition of costumed actors and dreamlike visuals makes for a unique experience; and alongside the music itself it presents a fun experience. The style itself was reminiscent of many things to me: some of Peter Gabriel’s more artistic music videos from the ‘80s, the Teletubbies, claymation, and, ultimately, a really well done stage play. It’s apropos that the film premiered in New York City, home of some of the best stage plays in the world. And along the production, I felt the desire to pound my feel to the rhythm, but didn’t want to disturb the fellow journalists besides me. 

Experiencing Magdalena Bay’s Music

All-in-all, “Imaginal Disk” is a good concept album featuring good music. Magdalena Bay has produced great synth work here, and I look forward to listing to their album following this screening. The only detriment is viewing this as a film in a darkened theater rather than as a visceral, live experience to enjoy. Seeing this on the screen of a club, or an outdoor space where one can dance, might have been the ultimate way to enjoy Kramer, Tenenbaum, and Lewin’s invigorating production. 

“Imaginal Disk” had its world premiere at Tribeca Festival in the Spotlight+ competition. It showed on June 4th and will continue through June 8th.