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Free Energy by Dummy: Album Review
Free Energy by Dummy: Album Review
Dummy, a four-piece rock band from Los Angeles, comprises Alex Ewell (drums, synths, bass), Emma Maatman (vocals, synths, organ), Nathan O’Dell (vocals, guitar, organ), and Joe Trainor (guitar, bass, synths). After the release of their 2021 debut album Mandatory Enjoyment, which received widespread acclaim from music publications, the band quickly attracted attention, leading to support slots for acts like Luna, Spirit of the Beehive, and Snail Mail.
Now, Dummy is set to release their highly anticipated second album, Free Energy, on September 6th, 2024, through Trouble in Mind Records.
The album opens with “Intro,” a track driven by a trance-like dance beat and a drum machine, punctuated by the playful sound of bubbles popping—a whimsical beginning that sets the tone for the unexpected. Track two, “Soonish,” stands out with its buzzsaw guitars, reminiscent of ’80s guitar-pop bands like The Primitives and early Lush. The song offers a quirky, psychedelic vibe, with jangly guitars, an opulent organ, and sweet vocals that create a fuzzy and engaging mood for the rest of the album.
“Unshaped Road” begins with a drum machine before transitioning into Lou Reed-like vocals that introduce a psychedelic wall of sound. The record is deeply trance-inducing, with mesmerizing electronic effects that draw listeners into its depths.
“Opaline Bubbletear” serves as a prelude to the next track, “Blue Dada.” “Opaline” opens with a dreamy, space-like ambiance, featuring a cosmic saxophone played by their friend Cole Pulice. “Blue Dada” then drifts into dreamy ambient pop before shifting tempo, evoking Stereolab halfway through. The male and female harmonies, poppy drone organ, and frantic crescendo make this track an aural journey.
“Nullspace,” accompanied by a suitably bubbly psychedelic video, dives into a ’90s-style dub atmosphere. The bubble effects heighten the experience, while “Minus World” revisits the Stereolab influence with its organ tones, monotone vocals, and electronic beats.
The album is full of diverse sonic textures: “Sudden Flutes” is a cacophony of noise and urgent guitars that suddenly drops into a quieter space, where a flute emerges and redirects the track. “Dip In the Lake” is cinematic, with shimmering clipped sounds, harmonious piano, and layered vocals. “Nine Clean Nails,” the second single, stands out with its catchy beat.
Free Energy is a clever and infectious mix of tight beats, surreal vocals, and experimental, bubbly acoustics. Dummy will kick off their tour on September 7th.
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