as someone who recently is in the process of coming out as trans i couldn’t help but put that meaning into this album. especially with the first track i see it as like seeing your idealized (female) version of yourself. and the last track being the acceptance of that. i appreciate when an artist had a desired message but i also appreciate the way we all see art through our own experiences.
Sending so much love and courage to you on your journey as you embody your true self - and I also relate as someone who realised they were agender and will be changing my name officially soon to something that feels more me
I would also say there's a cautionary tale in the album about the sinister reality of the idealized self, and how purity is a futile endeavor. I think that's my take away from the album; towing that line between self discovery and idealization, and ultimately finding your true identity. Congratulations on finding yourself! I wish you the very best on your journey.
Considering imaginal discs (with a c) are parts of an insect larva that turn into the outer parts of the body after they undergo metamorphosis, I think that reinforces your interpretation. "Its inside you all along" type shit
angel on a satellite is my favorite track rn. at first i didn’t really vibe with it but the other day i listened to it on repeat for hours and got lost in it.
Stunning makeup as always Fern 💛 so excited for your reaction & sending love to you with all your illnesses bogging you down 🙏 be extra kind to yourself always
haven't finished the video yet so sorry if you noticed this later on!! i found out soon after the album came out that The Beginning actually transitions into She Looked Like Me perfectly!!!! it's so cool to me since i've never seen an artist connect two albums together like that, especially since The Beginning already loops into The End :)
Yesss I was just about to mention that too! It's so cool how they flow together. And the sound effects kind of sound like a disc or something similar loading into a player, like they stopped listening to Mercurial World repeating and put in this new disc. Could be a metaphor for breaking some sort of cycle for sure
Only other artist to do this kind of stuff I can think of is King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and they're practically infamous for their gimmickry with their album sequencing, transitions and concepts
Definitely watch the music videos!! They always release a full video for the entirety of their mini mixes so I'm hoping they do that for this album at some point. There are only 4 vids so far so you have to piece stuff together, but they supplement the story really well.
I love how you decided to not look at the lyrics until after you've heard the song for this album because it's such a great album to do just that as the musical element to it is so dense and incredible.
I think it's really cool that The Beginning transitions into She Looked Like Me so smoothly. You can hear it at the start of the song. It's like Imaginal Disk branches out of an eternal cycle that is Mercurial World. It's as if the album breaks the cycle. That's why The Ballad of Matt & Mica does not loop back into She Looked Like Me.
The end of the album doesn't quite loop back to the start, BUT the end of mercural world transitions into the start of ID (if I can remember right.. try it)! How amazing is that
FERN!!! I love your reactions, been watching for a year maybe? your energy is so good, and fun, and you have good takes about the album, wow, i just love them since Mercurial World, but this one feels so much more alien, and weird, but in a good way! for me, the album have two different ways of how you can see it it have the history, the True Blue, the Doctor, the brainwashing, the mirror, this part is so fun to piece together, you can watch the music videos, they show this world in a super interesting way but, since the release, I feel that this album have another way that you can see, that is, the *internal you*, the process of change, and evolving, growing up, and learning more about yourself, and It have a LOT of metafors, for example, i've thinking about Vampire in the Corner, this title never made sense to me, until I see another perspective on it the "Vampire" being someone fascinating, but at the same time scary that feels love in such a intense way, that it can scare you off or Angel on a Satellite, being this "creature", or myth, God, something to hold on that unites the celestial, higher being of the Angel, with the tecnological and modern nature of a Satellite and I love that the both worlds, the fantasy of the disk and the doctor, and the internal you many times connect inside the album, you can see the way you prefer, the way It makes sense to you
but yeah, is one of my favorites of this year absolutelly I loved your video 🐸❤️ (I would love to see a reaction to the videos, but I don't have a patreon subscription sadly lol) I made a tattoo of the album cover on my leg it hurt like hell, but It was worth it!!!!
i know i’m late but i just want to say Watching Tv could be a Poppy song!! the dreamy vibes mixed with kind of a creepy undertone & lyrics…the spoken parts too…need her to cover it, i’m sure she’d love this album. i know i do!
Not sure if you are already aware, but The Beginning, the last track in Mercurial World transitions seamlessly into the first track of Imaginal Disk, She Looked Like Me!
I don't know if anyone has already commented this, but it's funny that you thought of ABBA in Cry For Me, specially associating it with "Voulez vos" because it's actually inspired or trying to emulate an ABBA song... specifically Dancing Queen, but like being an evil twin of that song!
i think the second verse is getting at the idea that the process of changing or bettering yourself is painful. like, if it doesn't hurt, you're not growing. also the whole romance storyline in the middle, i think, is sort of describing the stuff that she needs to let go of in order to become her best self. fear, sex, romance... even simple stuff like watching TV...
I'm only 21 minutes in your reaction and I already see that you and genius have different interpretations. And I think that it is totally normal and that Imaginal Disk can have a lot of different interpretations possible. So neither your interpretation or genius' interpretation is wrong I would say. So far the video is great!!
After listening to this I really don't believe that there is any music that sounds as good as this album. It's earcandy. Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears and Simple Minds come to mind, but those artists sound so rudimentary compared to this.
if you're looking for music artists like this, maybe you'll like the Cocteau Twins? It's more like chamber pop with the same flare, with a bit of Ambience. Just the first thing I can think of.
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FERN AND I LOVE UR VIDS!!! can you pretty pretty please react to sarah kinsleys new album escaper it is sooooo good!!!! its a upbeat indie album w a folksy kind of voice
THE WAY I SCREAMED WHEN I SAW IT WAS OUT
as someone who recently is in the process of coming out as trans i couldn’t help but put that meaning into this album. especially with the first track i see it as like seeing your idealized (female) version of yourself. and the last track being the acceptance of that. i appreciate when an artist had a desired message but i also appreciate the way we all see art through our own experiences.
This is beautiful. Love it
Sending so much love and courage to you on your journey as you embody your true self - and I also relate as someone who realised they were agender and will be changing my name officially soon to something that feels more me
I would also say there's a cautionary tale in the album about the sinister reality of the idealized self, and how purity is a futile endeavor. I think that's my take away from the album; towing that line between self discovery and idealization, and ultimately finding your true identity.
Congratulations on finding yourself! I wish you the very best on your journey.
I feel literally exactly the same. Sent one of my cis friends a message saying “this is the most trans-coded non trans song I’ve ever heard”
Considering imaginal discs (with a c) are parts of an insect larva that turn into the outer parts of the body after they undergo metamorphosis, I think that reinforces your interpretation. "Its inside you all along" type shit
15:44 Your vocals were so pretty and the effect on it made it fit right into the song, gorgeous💕
IVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOUR REACTION QUEEN
They're insane for dropping mercurial world and then this back to back
angel on a satellite is my favorite track rn. at first i didn’t really vibe with it but the other day i listened to it on repeat for hours and got lost in it.
You know it's a good record when your least favorite track becomes your favorite on a repeat listen.
I JUST GOT BACK FROM SEEING THEM LIVE AND SAW YOU POSTED THIS AAAAAAHHHHHH THIS IS PERFECT
Stunning makeup as always Fern 💛 so excited for your reaction & sending love to you with all your illnesses bogging you down 🙏 be extra kind to yourself always
thank you so very much
Feeling so disk inserted rn
Thanks for the reaction, queen, you're so much fun, love your own interpretations of the lyrics
Edit: 17:00 a word that comes to my mind is ominous
ominous yes!!!!
Holy shit I can’t believe you are reacting to this! It’s probably one of my favorite albums of all time honestly.
CANT WAIT TO WATCH
haven't finished the video yet so sorry if you noticed this later on!! i found out soon after the album came out that The Beginning actually transitions into She Looked Like Me perfectly!!!! it's so cool to me since i've never seen an artist connect two albums together like that, especially since The Beginning already loops into The End :)
Yesss I was just about to mention that too! It's so cool how they flow together. And the sound effects kind of sound like a disc or something similar loading into a player, like they stopped listening to Mercurial World repeating and put in this new disc. Could be a metaphor for breaking some sort of cycle for sure
Only other artist to do this kind of stuff I can think of is King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and they're practically infamous for their gimmickry with their album sequencing, transitions and concepts
Definitely watch the music videos!! They always release a full video for the entirety of their mini mixes so I'm hoping they do that for this album at some point. There are only 4 vids so far so you have to piece stuff together, but they supplement the story really well.
I'm 100% for the powerpoint slides when you're vibing at That's My Floor XD Ahahahah
hahahahahaha yesssss!! Imovie Realness
i love your ad libs, super fun
tunnel vision is like. go to sleep and wake up at the same time. like a lullaby playing from an alarm clock in the morning.
That Haircut is sooooo stunning and gorgeous!!!!! Thank you for another brilliant video fern. Love you to bits.
I gasped when i saw this on my feed ohh thank you for doing this one love youuu❤
This look suits you SO well! Especially the glasses, you look lovely 💗
Fern I love the look! And even with the album is perfect how it's pink because it's you, the purest you! hehe sorry, but yeah slay queeen
Hahaha awwww thank youuuu xxx
your reaction to watching tv was literally perfect 😫
You look beautiful, as always. Wow! So excited to watch. Thank you, Fern.
your singing is so good omg??
My fav album of the year!!😊
funny you mention that you heard some proggy elements in this album since Matt and Mica used to be in a prog band before Mag Bay
You look stunning! ✨✨ I'm ready to listen to this album with you
Try not to say MOTHER! challenge (IMPOSSIBLE)
I love how you decided to not look at the lyrics until after you've heard the song for this album because it's such a great album to do just that as the musical element to it is so dense and incredible.
Love your reactions!!! This is an incredible album!!! Love from 🇧🇷
I love your reaction so much. I was vibing with you the whole time!
I LOVE THIS ALBUM SO MUCHH
So glad you listened to this!
OMG Finally!!! love it❤️❤️
Omggg I’m so excited for this
One of my favorite reactions 💙
I think it's really cool that The Beginning transitions into She Looked Like Me so smoothly. You can hear it at the start of the song. It's like Imaginal Disk branches out of an eternal cycle that is Mercurial World. It's as if the album breaks the cycle. That's why The Ballad of Matt & Mica does not loop back into She Looked Like Me.
OMG MINNESOTA SHOUT OUT!!
I'M FROM MINNESOTA YOUR ACCENT IS PERFECT!
love you reactions and all of your feedback!!
this one is album of the year for me, I'm so glad that you reacted to it!!
The end of the album doesn't quite loop back to the start, BUT the end of mercural world transitions into the start of ID (if I can remember right.. try it)! How amazing is that
when you started singing I screamed you’re amazing ❤
YASS ILY SM KEEP GOING♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Omg yes!!!!! I was waiting so much for this 😭
loved this reaction fern!! easily aoty contender for me. also i hope your sinuses become normal again soon
thanks for releasing this so fast i'm so excited!!
ALMOST 2 hours too you are amazing
FERN!!!
I love your reactions, been watching for a year maybe?
your energy is so good, and fun, and you have good takes
about the album, wow, i just love them since Mercurial World, but this one feels so much more alien, and weird, but in a good way!
for me, the album have two different ways of how you can see it
it have the history, the True Blue, the Doctor, the brainwashing, the mirror, this part is so fun to piece together, you can watch the music videos, they show this world in a super interesting way
but, since the release, I feel that this album have another way that you can see, that is, the *internal you*, the process of change, and evolving, growing up, and learning more about yourself, and It have a LOT of metafors,
for example, i've thinking about Vampire in the Corner, this title never made sense to me, until I see another perspective on it
the "Vampire" being someone fascinating, but at the same time scary
that feels love in such a intense way, that it can scare you off
or Angel on a Satellite,
being this "creature", or myth, God, something to hold on
that unites the celestial, higher being of the Angel, with the tecnological and modern nature of a Satellite
and I love that the both worlds, the fantasy of the disk and the doctor, and the internal you many times connect inside the album, you can see the way you prefer, the way It makes sense to you
but yeah, is one of my favorites of this year absolutelly
I loved your video 🐸❤️
(I would love to see a reaction to the videos, but I don't have a patreon subscription sadly lol)
I made a tattoo of the album cover on my leg
it hurt like hell, but It was worth it!!!!
i know i’m late but i just want to say Watching Tv could be a Poppy song!! the dreamy vibes mixed with kind of a creepy undertone & lyrics…the spoken parts too…need her to cover it, i’m sure she’d love this album. i know i do!
girl, i recently also have sinus problems and im going actually insane i get you 😭 love you for this reaction!!
omg noooo !!! so sorry to hear it it literally is so horrible xx
Not sure if you are already aware, but The Beginning, the last track in Mercurial World transitions seamlessly into the first track of Imaginal Disk, She Looked Like Me!
Thank you for your reaction. I hope you will get to know the rest of the songs of Magdalena Bay. And I wish you health.
SOO EXCITED❤❤❤
I don't know if anyone has already commented this, but it's funny that you thought of ABBA in Cry For Me, specially associating it with "Voulez vos" because it's actually inspired or trying to emulate an ABBA song... specifically Dancing Queen, but like being an evil twin of that song!
Totally loved your reaction!!!! :3 couldn't seen it earlier, but I'm glad I finally did it! I hope you stay healthy
Fern you look so pretty 🥰 pink is your colour
I love it❤
as a minnesotan i died at your minnesotan accent 😂 MINNESOTA MENTIONED!!
HAHHAAH omg noooooo i'm so embarrassed but heyyy shout out Minnesotaaaaa !
My disk is fully inserted
As a Minnesotan, you nailed the accent at 30:15
Vampire in the corner has St. VIncent vibes
I think the word you were thinking of on "Killing Time" was "foreboding" maybe?
LMAO your reaction to the lyric at 52:11
They started out as a prog rock band before they became Magdalena bay!
Aaaaaaa!!!!!
i think the second verse is getting at the idea that the process of changing or bettering yourself is painful. like, if it doesn't hurt, you're not growing. also the whole romance storyline in the middle, i think, is sort of describing the stuff that she needs to let go of in order to become her best self. fear, sex, romance... even simple stuff like watching TV...
How did you know i have an hour and 45 minute drive later
🤣🤣 🤣
I'm only 21 minutes in your reaction and I already see that you and genius have different interpretations. And I think that it is totally normal and that Imaginal Disk can have a lot of different interpretations possible. So neither your interpretation or genius' interpretation is wrong I would say.
So far the video is great!!
thank you ! yes i need to worry less about getting it "right" and just say what i feel xx
After listening to this I really don't believe that there is any music that sounds as good as this album. It's earcandy. Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears and Simple Minds come to mind, but those artists sound so rudimentary compared to this.
if you're looking for music artists like this, maybe you'll like the Cocteau Twins? It's more like chamber pop with the same flare, with a bit of Ambience. Just the first thing I can think of.
Niiiiiicee
Please, react to She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She by Chelsea Wolfe
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FERN AND I LOVE UR VIDS!!! can you pretty pretty please react to sarah kinsleys new album escaper it is sooooo good!!!! its a upbeat indie album w a folksy kind of voice
Cry for Me indeed is a nod to ABBA
specifically inspired by Dancing Queen I believe, but it does remind me of Voulez Vous too