Imaginary Friend, by ABSRDST

Imaginary Friend

by ABSRDST

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gurizuri this has become one of my favorite albums, period. there is such an honest and upfront story being told here- one that balances finely on the line of just easy enough to digest and comprehend, and just complex and personal enough to give it a personal and meaningful flair. you're gonna be super surprised with this. buy it. Favorite track: We Were Alive.

windswaker This album is so good, I tearing up whenever Imaginary Friend comes on Favorite track: Imaginary Friend.

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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
ABSRDST teamed up with Brazil-based designer Andrew Strasser to create this uniquely personal CD release. Andrew is known for working with Oneohtrix Point Never, Anamanaguchi, and Girl Talk. The booklet contains lyrics, doodles, and personal belongings. Oh, and 3 bonus tracks.

Each order comes with a free copy of Lingua Franca by Dugo on CD, while supplies last.

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1.	Frequency (b2b) 04:07 video	lyrics	buy track

2.	Animation (ft. Yung Skrrt) 04:36	lyrics	buy track

3.	Imaginary Friend 03:50	lyrics	buy track

4.	Reborn 04:02	lyrics	buy track

5.	Driving Me Sane 03:43	lyrics	buy track

6.	We Were Alive 04:18	lyrics	buy track

7.	We're So Warm 03:11	lyrics	buy track

8.	Stiffy 03:18		buy track

about

Imaginary Friend might be the solo debut of Jack 'ABSRDST' Vanoudenaren on Brave Wave, but it's far from his first release. The music trajectory of our Brooklyn-based producer is fascinating to follow, as he went from releasing his first solo album on Bandcamp and finessing video game remixes on our label and elsewhere (as heard on World 1-2 & World 1-2: Encore), to releasing experimental albums on other online imprints and even working side by side with chiptune-extraordinaire Anamanaguchi and Brave Wave's legendary Mega Man composer Manami Matsumae.

This shapeshifting in music styles is a testament to Jack's incredible versatility and his unwillingness to choose a certain genre, but Imaginary Friend's pop-infused sounds are more than just a new typecast for him. On this new album, Jack shares the most personal and vulnerable stories, with lyrics explored and written by himself, and an inviting lush production that begs you to pay attention to its many layers. "I really do consider this my debut album," Jack tells us. "Everything before, I was just trying to figure out who I am. What started as a meditation on grief grew into a voice that makes me feel strong. I hope it makes you feel that way too."

Imaginary Friend includes singles that have been previously released, but are remastered for this release by Brave Wave's awards-winning Swiss engineer Dan Suter.

credits

released July 17, 2018

music
by ABSRDST
Additional Vocals: Matt Cooper + Max Coburn / Mastering: Dan Suter Technical Advisors: Marco Guardia + Jared Birdseye

design
by Andrew Strasser
“Kurt & Owen” Characters: Arryn Mosley + Jack / Illustrations: Arryn / Additional Illustrations: Jake Myler / Imaginary Friend Logo: Matt Cooper / “Kurt” 3d Model: Stevie Cole / “VHS Cassette - Видеокассета” 3d Model: Brian Fox / “Stump in winter 01” 3d Model: 3dhdscan / Layout: Andrew + Jack / Additional Design: Andrew Daigle / “Fox Illustration": Lucas Svedberg

published
by Brave Wave Productions

special thanks
from The Bottom of my Heart
Mom: Brooke Shepard / Advice: Max Rosenzweig / Emotional Support: Robert Brown / Manager: Lupe Gutierrez / Cousin: Zoe Nichols / Design Consultation: Simon Whybray / The Man With The Plan: Mohammed Taher / Let Me Live In Their Basement While I Wrote This Album: Gramma + Aunt Claire Vanoudenaren / For All The Help: Big Jim + Lynn + ”James Ivy” Butler

©2018 ABSRDST / Brave Wave Productions

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Brave Wave Productions Shibuya, Japan

Brave Wave is a place for good music. We're a record label dedicated to exploring the interplay between videogames, music and nostalgia.

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Track Name: Frequency (b2b): Oh baby when you talk about it
I get so ecstatic
You invoke the rabbit in me

Shake your tail feather
Boy go up and down
Play your song cuz
Everyone is bound to love you

Don't stop until the music says you should
I'd be stoked if you would leave this venue with me

My place is just a block away but if you
Choose to stay then baby don't be late I’m gonna

show you a good time, a good time, I’ve got collaboration on my mind

Fly

Into my

Frequency

B 2 B

Oh baby can we slow it down a bit
I'm exhausted and it's only 4 am

I think your song is just too fast for me
I’m so 85 and you’re 170

You know our sound is so compatible
We’re adorable
It’s supernatural

Well maybe we should try a different speed
Half the rhythm but we’ll keep the energy

Oh baby when you talk about it
I get so ecstatic
You invoke the magic in me

I think we might have made a masterpiece

Shake your tail feather, boy, go up and down

Show you a good time, a good time, I’ve got collaboration on my mind
Track Name: Animation (ft. Yung Skrrt): [ABSRDST]
I don’t like the situation
You were made of color till it all came down
Something like an animation
Up until the time of penetration

Nothing really ever makes sense
You were getting taller and it seemed like fun
Something like an animation
Open up your mind for penetration

I do not admire them
Those that you conspire with
I wanted to acquire them
Ever since the time of saturation

You were made of wire then
You set my house on fire then
I wanted to retire then
You were not an honest simulation

I don’t like the situation
You were made of color till it all came down
Something like an animation
Up until the time of penetration

Nothing really ever makes sense
You were getting taller and it seemed like fun
Something like an animation
Open up your mind for penetration

We should play another game
I will have a different name
Let me be your Novocain
I will be the one who suffocates you

You will always sound the same
That will never ever change
I might let you walk again
You might be my only fascination

I don’t like the situation
You were made of color till it all came down
Something like an animation
Up until the time of penetration

Nothing really ever makes sense
You were getting taller and it seemed like fun
Something like an animation
Open up your mind for penetration

[Yung Skrrt]
start it, you lookin like animation
fade out, you goin slow like a claymation
pay up, upon the resuscitation
gaze up, upon the point of fascination
skrrt, international sensation
ridin around town in a silver disposition
not rly sure think i'm afraid of what i've become
tipping point of the planet point of inauguration
so imma roll out
grab my visa and go everywhere on tour now
no controller wireless i cut the cord now
cuttin my losses i'm worn out

[ABSRDST]
I don’t like the situation
You were made of color til it all came down
Something like an animation
Up until the time of penetration

Nothing really ever makes sense
You were getting taller and it seemed like fun
Something like an animation
Open up your mind for penetration
Track Name: Imaginary Friend: It's so like me to write stories of you
I can unmake you I'll break you in two
Oh my God what am I going to do
It's such a shame. We are the same.

Who could I possibly think that I am?
And should I hurt you? I certainly can
And even if you don't really exist
You are the only one I truly miss

Who could you possibly think that you are?
I gave you a feeling you took it too far
Honestly I really want to know why
I gave you my armor you left me to die

You probably think that this song's about you
That’s just your narcissistic point of view
I made up a story that you were my friend
And when I got older I thought this would end
Track Name: Reborn: Deep deep in the ground
No, I won’t be found now
My winter was warm
Can I be reborn, can I be reborn

I stay here at night
Right next to a bright light
I pray for a storm
Will I be reborn, will I be reborn

Deep deep in the ground
I won’t make a sound, no,l
I’m covered in snow
But I’ll be reborn, but I’ll be reborn

Deep deep in the ground
No, I won’t be found now
My winter was warm
Can I be reborn, can I be reborn

I stay here at night,
Right next to a bright light
I pray for a storm
Will I be reborn, will I be reborn
Track Name: Driving Me Sane: You wanted to feel what it’s like in these chains
Could it be worse than the ones in your brain
TV has nothing on what can be fixed
I make a fist, it hurts my wrist

Don’t be afraid you’ve got nothing to hide
Even when something is hiding inside
Something about it is driving me sane
Something about it is driving me--

Something about it is driving me--

Don’t be afraid you’ve got nothing to hide
Even when something is hiding inside
Something about it is driving me sane
Something about it is driving me--

Something about it is driving me--

Don’t be afraid you’ve got nothing to hide
Even when something is hiding inside
Something about it is driving me sane
Something about it is driving me--
Track Name: We Were Alive: Hey buddy
This isn't the end
I hope I might get to see you again
You gave me armor the first time
I wore it like it was mine
We were warm

We were alive
My friend
I tried to find a reason to pretend
That it would feel like the last time
When I was yours and you were mine
Was I wrong?

I don't deserve this
I was so earnest
You gave me a purpose
I came to the surface
thought it was worth it

Hey lover

Don't cry

I promise you there's nothing in my eyes

You showed me what I was missing

And now I'm just here wishing I was blind

I don't deserve this
I was so earnest
You gave me a purpose
It was a little too perfect
I came to the surface
Thought it was worth it
Baby don’t do this
Don’t put me through this

You don’t deserve me

I need you
But you won’t want me
I can’t breathe
Take your hands off me
I feel used
But you won’t touch me
I need you
I can’t breathe
Track Name: We're So Warm: You’re so weary, rest, don’t be frightened of the storm.
We’re so warm.

You’re so weary, rest, don’t be frightened of the storm.
We’re so warm.