Photo by Kyle Berger

In an age where ’90s alternative appropriation has become all too reductive in an attempt to sound “new,” the Los Angeles pop noiseniks Dummy have maintained their positions as outsiders of trend when it’s come to designing their own futuristic nostalgic strain of ambient, shoegaze, and punk art within their own aerodynamic, sonically shape-shifting vessel — deeply indebted to the more obscure influences from these corners of the scene, but not at all intent on recreating their blueprint’s every soundwave. It’s rendered some of the last half decade’s best music — including their 2024 list-toppling Free Energy — and has now rewarded them a power up in joining Polyvinyl Records for the release of their third studio album, do you love the color of the sky?

With a bigger canvas to perform on comes an opportunity to enlighten growing audiences not only of their own singular, formless nature, but that of art worthy of permanence. That permeates in the spectacular musical color collage of its lead single “Full Spectrum Dominance”. More vivid hues are audible here in its flash pop spangles bursting out of streaks of electronic currents to the beat of drummer Alex Ewell’s groove. Guitarists Joe Trainor and Nathan O’Dell tear chem trail riffs through and through, and between these wider channels they’re creating, vocalist and synthesist glides through with a warning on the dangers of turning art into mere disposable content. “You just take anything you like / But you won’t be satisfied ’til you’re idolized / Prima Materia,” she sings. You can’t argue with rejections of empty vessels like this when they’re backed by remarkably pure substance.

Directed by: Matt Wells

Fall Tour:

Dummy’s do you love the color of the sky? will be released October 16th on Polyvinyl Records.