Nathaniel Clark – A&E Editor

nuc5002@psu.edu

Synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay returns with their most Summer-ready collection on “mini mix vol. 3.”

Magdalena Bay consists of singer-songwriter Mica Tenenbaum and producer Matthew Lewin. The two musicians met in high school while they were in the same music program. Said program led to the creation of Tabula Rasa, a progressive rock group formed by Tenenbaum, Lewin, and their school friends.

While Tabula Rasa did break up, Mica and Matthew continued to collaborate. In 2016, they formed Magdalena Bay. While many cite the name as a reference to the bay in Mexico, the true inspiration comes from an administrator at Lewin’s old job. 

Magdalena Bay’s main aesthetic inspiration is the early internet. The duo feels directly connected to the internet of the late 90s and early 2000s: Angelfire, the 1996 “Space Jam” website, Microsoft’s Clippy, YTMND, eBaum’s World, etc. Musically, their inspirations come heavily from the hyperpop genre which also pulls from the early internet. The sounds of Grimes, Chairlift, and Charli XCX flow throughout the duo’s work. 

Magdalena Bay rose to prominence through TikTok. On the platform, the duo would craft short-form mash-ups, remixes, and skits for the platform as a way to spread their music. This marketing tactic worked in spades, growing Magdalena Bay’s popularity in musical sectors. All of this pathed way for the release of their debut album, “Mercurial World.” Released in 2021, the record was a critical success for Magdalena Bay giving them their much-deserved attention.

After touring for the majority of 2022, Magdalena has returned with the third installment of their “mini mix” series. These short mixtapes range from 12 to 15 minutes in length and are composed of one to two-minute songs. In addition, each “mini mix” has an accompanying music video, usually made by the duo using green screens and plug-in effects. 

This latest installment was released on Thurs., April 13, the day before the duo made their Coachella debut. Fittingly, “vol. 3” is Magdalena Bay at its most summery. Each song feels like a dip into picturesque electric-blue water as the orange sun reigns above. 

The mixtape opens with “Slug Song.” Slowly building, the sounds of waves, calming synths, and vocalized saxophones fill the listener’s ears. Mica’s soothing vocals soon join the mix. Noting that there may be a storm brewing, Mica states, “you’ve already come this far,” there is no reason to turn back now. On the outro, Mica and Matthew harmonize to welcome the listener into this new music experience. 

Suddenly, the track warps into “EXO.” With pounding and blaring drums, the track is a musical smash. Mica’s English and French vocals are offset by these guitar passages from Matthew which just shred through the mix. The track is very reminiscent of shoegaze and indie rock, last explored by the duo on “You Lose!” from “Mercurial World.”

“EXO” closes with a Spanish vocal sample which directly blends into “2 Wheel Drive.” An allusion to riding a bicycle, the song feels like a slow-paced journey through your neighborhood. With palm trees above, the duo gets off their bikes for a walk through the woods on the bridge, leading into these infectious synth passages which continue on the final chorus.

“Top Dog” is an interesting piece of lyrical contradiction. On the verses, Mica makes various allusions to herself and movie characters all played by actress Laura Dern. These include Lula Fortune from “Wild at Heart” and Ellie Sattler from “Jurassic Park.” In a similar vein, the various meanings of “Top Dog” from Mica contradict themselves. While it appears she will be there on your beckoning call, she also wants “you in [her] lap.”

“Tonguetwister” drives like a face-paced roller coaster. The track builds to new heights on each verse. Every refrain is another massive drop or loop on the song. The infectious chorus feels hypnotic and alluring.

The penultimate track is “Wandering Eyes.” Based on an acoustic melody, Mica is at her most relaxed and exhausted on this track. Even with the production building on the chorus, Mica’s vocals work in complete contrast. However, this contrast does not stop the track from being an absolute trip.

“mini mix vol. 3” closes out with a short reprise of “Slug Song” and the fading sounds of waves crashing.

Magdalena Bay has crafted the perfect Summer soundtrack with “mini mix vol.3.” With a 15-minute runtime, the project is a breeze. Hop on the Magdalena wave now before it washes ashore.