Photo by Kyle Berger

We are on the precipice of humankind’s fate — as well as that of a new Dummy album. This Friday, the Los Angeles experimental noise-pop band will be releasing do you love the color of the sky? — their third full-length effort and follow-up to their 2024 list-toppler Free Energy — and thus far, the air has been filled with much to contemplate of where we are right now as a world through their own progressive ambient ‘gaze.

“N of 1”, the album’s final preview, concerns itself with our increasing surveillance state at the race pace of technology, as vocalist and synthesist Emma Maatman weaves through Street Views in its accompanying music video (which she directed) at the speed of an ultra-kinetic break beat. Splices of guitarist Joe Trainor’s droning currents careen and reassemble a new view of our modern existence through the zoom lens, and as tranquilizing as it sounds, that’s not to our betterment. “What’s the use in trying? / No one’s hiding anymore / We beg and plead to suffer / Licking silver at the last supper,” Maatman sings. This dystopian portrait that’s come quickly is grim, and held up to Dummy’s mirror, we hear how numb to it all we’ve become.

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