Magdalene is a prolific and thoughtful voice in the contemporary vaporwave scene. Based in Michigan, she began releasing music in 2023 and has since explored the genre’s many facets through several distinct aliases: crafting chopped-and-screwed barber beats as Magdalene, slushwave as forgotten sinner, and mallsoft as マグダラのショッピングモール .
Her work is distinguished by a deeply intentional, ethical approach to sampling “exclusively using royalty free sources” Beyond her numerous releases she also manage Valkyrie Tapes a DIY label specialized in vaporwave and ambient ! Join us as we explore five of Magdalene’s favorite albums and the sounds that shaped them.
As always these records are making their way into the Dungeon !
猫 シ Corp. – ショップ @ ヘルシンキ
This one really amazed me with how concise and clear it’s sonic vision is. I really love this level of ambiance and have aimed for similarly present, but not overpowering levels of environment noise in my mallsoft.
Victory Over Death – 神秘
This weird little signalwave EP is actually the source of a running joke with my wife and I where we constantly repeat “BIRCH” like from the track Doze. The whole thing is enigmatic and pulls you in.
恋人の夢 & M31-ZERO – 霞
This is probably the grooviest Slushwave album of all time. The bass is thumpin’ and the swing of the phaser is perfect for the rhythm for every track. An incredible collaboration with a singular sound.
TV2 – 1450kHz at Broken Grove
What an incredible and dense work of sound play. I want to live inside this album and have been guilty of chain smoking this album and Narvon Nights by GlenOAX on repeat for whole days. And the sample choice is unique and feels lovely through the static.
Godspeed 音 – 情熱の追求
Goddam this album is groovy and hornt up. I love how funky and sensual it starts off, and then the back half sprawls out with classic barber beat samples and some cheeky melodies along the way.
A huge thank you to Magdalene for sharing her time, her story, and her sounds with us. You can experience her music live at New Visions : Detroit on May 16th, presented by Doki Doki Beats and Hushtones alongside Luxury Elite, Christtt, FrankJavCee, Majestic 12, M31-ZERO, victory over death, IMCOPAV and Yung Shiro !
Follow Magdalene : https://magdalenevapor.bandcamp.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/magdalene.vapor
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