Los Angeles-based avant-pop band Dummy have released their new album, Free Energy, today, Sept. 6, through Trouble In Mind Records. The band, comprising Alex Ewell, Emma Maatman, Nathan O’Dell and Joe Trainor, has also shared a video for their track “Minus World”.
Dummy first gained attention with their debut full-length album, Mandatory Enjoyment (2021), also through Trouble in Mind, which quickly became a sleeper hit and marked a notable shift in sound post-pandemic.
The track “Minus World” was inspired by their performance at Gonerfest, where they shared the stage with Lewsberg. Reflecting on the creative process, the band stated:
“For us, feedback is a source of infinite possibilities, offering inherent randomness and a really expressive sound,” says the band. “For this song, we wanted the feedback to take over, leaving all semblance of song for a few seconds, before crashing back down at the end.”
Free Energy is described as an exploration of movement, presence and physicality, aiming for a more psychedelic and dance-oriented sound. The album features home recordings by Ewell and Trainor, instrumental and sample compositions by O’Dell and standout vocal performances by Maatman, who brings a confident and smooth foundation to the record.
The album celebrates music’s ability to move the body, whether through a catchy pop chorus, an exhilarating drum beat, or noise reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine (MBV).
