Imaginal Disk

Repost:

The best synthpop album of all time.

This is more than deserving of a strong 10/10; it’s basically everything you could ever want in a pop album. You have catchy, hooky songs like Image or Love Is Everywhere, as well as some more low-key deep cuts like Vampire in the Corner or Watching T.V., which are beautiful and unsettling at the same time, and that emotional contrast sets the stage for how strong the writing is across the record. The album focuses on figuring out who you are and how people change over time. It also touches on feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, and nostalgic in a modern, digital world, as shown on Vampire in the Corner, That’s My Floor, or the other “hit” single of the album, Image, which is one of the best pop songs of all time. It has some of the best lyricism on the entire album, an extremely catchy hook, a solid vocal performance, and absolutely outstanding production—it’s just a flawless track through and through.

To make more out of that last point, the production on this thing is mind-blowing from start to finish. The Ballad of Matt & Mica, Death & Romance, That’s My Floor, Tunnel Vision, Watching T.V., Cry for Me, etc. all feature incredible, standout production, handled by Matt & Mica. It’s pure synthpop bliss— all super danceable. The album is also incredibly consistent and versatile. I really can’t think of a flaw within this tracklist. It’s 100% the best album of the entire 2020s so far, and for sure a top 5 pop album of all time.

Also, this wasn’t in the original review, but ‘Tunnel Vision’ is actually so damn amazing. I’ve always loved it, but I don’t know — the ‘Can I get out? Can I get out!?’ refrain is just the catchiest thing I’ve ever heard. The production is incredible, the lyricism is solid as hell, and it’s up there with ‘Image’ for sure. Fear, Sex is also incredible only the interludes aren't 10s.

For some reason, people don’t like the vocals, and I can’t understand why. I don’t think they’re screeching, overbearing, or annoying at any point during the runtime of this album. It always seems measured. Maybe the problem is with the background vocals—who knows? To be honest, I feel like the haters of this album are just trying to be contrarian. No, it’s not overrated—it deserves all the praise it’s ever gotten, due to the essay I just wrote. Edit: She Looked Like Me! Grew on me significantly.

Favorite Track: Image/Tunnel Viison
Least Favorite Track (Non-Interlude): Fear, Sex