Imaginary Friend, by ABSRDST

Imaginary Friend

by ABSRDST

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Flint Lush, playful and unashamedly & adorably LGBT pop hooks, and then the sudden late-album introspective, wistful anthem that stole my heart and refuses to let go. It’s a good album, but “We Were Alive” is phenomenal. Favorite track: We Were Alive.

David Philipe Gil I get ASMR feels from "We're So Warm" :D Favorite track: We're So Warm.

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.

cigazze ridiculously good. gay duck album 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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Digital Album
Streaming + Download

Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.

Purchasable with gift card

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Limited Edition CD with 3 Bonus Tracks
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.

Includes unlimited streaming of Imaginary Friend via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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Very Limited Chrome Cassette
Cassette + Digital Album
Designed by ABSRDST himself and Seth Andersen. The high-bias Type II cassette tape has a chrome mirror finish and a custom OBI strip, with an exclusive bonus track. Limited to 50! Comes with a sticker, too! Woo!

Includes unlimited streaming of Imaginary Friend via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.	Frequency (b2b) 04:07 video	lyrics	buy track
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
2.	Animation (ft. Yung Skrrt) 04:36	lyrics	buy track
[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
3.	Imaginary Friend 03:50	lyrics	buy track
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
4.	Reborn 04:02	lyrics	buy track
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
5.	Driving Me Sane 03:43	lyrics	buy track
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--
6.	We Were Alive 04:18	lyrics	buy track
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
7.	We're So Warm 03:11	lyrics	buy track
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.
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