{"title":"Dummy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"mandatory-enjoyment","title":"Mandatory Enjoyment","description":"\u003cp\u003eDummy refuses to slow down. After releasing two cassette EP’s in 2020 (on Popwig and Born Yesterday respectively), Dummy’s debut full-length album arrives via Chicago’s Trouble in Mind Records. Employing pummelling guitars and celestial ambience within the same breath, the band folds a myriad of reference points into their drone-pop style. Influence from ’60s melodicism and ’90s UK noise pop can be found woven in with inspiration from spiritual jazz, Japanese new age, and Italian minimalism. Dummy dodges the brooding, dark, dramatic tropes of contemporary “artistic” music often found in punk, experimental, and electronic, instead insisting on joyous and euphoric sonic palettes. They refuse to be artistically stagnant, continuously shifting their approach to writing across 12 tracks. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShaped by performances around Los Angeles in 2019, songs like \u003ci\u003eDaffodils\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eFissured Ceramics\u003c\/i\u003e feature relentless driving energy and ample psychedelic noise. Elsewhere, Dummy counterbalances the aggression with meditative synthscapes focused on sound design and studio experimentation, like on the motorik \u003ci\u003eX-Static Blanket\u003c\/i\u003e. Finally, centrepiece \u003ci\u003eH.V.A.C.\u003c\/i\u003e and the album’s final track, \u003ci\u003eAtonal Poem\u003c\/i\u003e, seek to synthesize these two poles, offering multi-part journeys through uncharted sonic territory. In contrast to blissed-out instrumentation, Dummy’s sardonic lyricism examines “the burden of modern life, consumerism, environmental collapse, alienation, and other anxieties born out of living in this absurd moment in history”. Interior design, marine pollution, the psychology of commercial architecture, and nuclear testing are all featured subjects. Dummy’s restless creativity keeps them moving ever-forward, continuously challenging themselves and pushing their sound into exciting and exhilarating places. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecommended if you like: Silver Apples, Laraaji, Velvet Underground, Stereolab, Cluster, Antena, My Bloody Valentine, Haruomi Hosono, Carl Sagan, Yo La Tengo, Finis Africae, Midori Takada. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Trouble In Mind","offers":[{"title":"Blue | LP","offer_id":50500962648395,"sku":"1132444","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50500963238219,"sku":"1132446","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/391e5b9c-1e38-45d7-a800-3050ee53a452_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727780914"},{"product_id":"dumb-eps","title":"Dumb EPs","description":"\u003cp\u003eLA five-piece Dummy follow last year’s acclaimed debut album\u003ci\u003e Mandatory Enjoyment\u003c\/i\u003e (released by Trouble In Mind) and their recent single for Sub Pop with \u003ci\u003eDumb EPs\u003c\/i\u003e, a compilation of their first two EPs from 2020, remastered especially for vinyl by Simon Scott from Slowdive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEP1 was recorded from late 2019 and released in May 2020, both digitally and on a tape by Maryland punk label Pop Wig. It became a lockdown essential, and despite the pandemic the band managed to record the follow-up,\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEP2, remotely using smart phones. It was released in November 2020 by the Chicago label Born Yesterday. Together, the ten tracks that comprise the EPs manage to show off all of the band’s broad range of influences – from Stereolab-style drone-pop to baroque psych, chamber folk, noisy shoe-gaze and Japanese ambient and new age – which have made them one of the most exciting new bands to come out of the US for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“We remain super proud of these EPs,” says the band’s Joe Trainor. “They were mostly self-recorded, and we were still discovering our sound and each other as a group. ‘Mandatory Enjoyment’ wouldn’t sound the way it sounded if it weren’t for all the time and trial and error we spent on the EPs.”The band are currently making waves touring the US with Horsegirl and Lifeguard and are “extremely hyped” to be playing their first UK and EU tour dates in September.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Dummy has all the makings of a modern cult band” – Pitchfork\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Purveyors of absolutely blissful drone-pop” Post-Trash\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Like a scrappy, punch-drunk Stereolab or a blissed out, mantra-hypnotized Wire” – Aquarium Drunkard\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sonic Cathedral","offers":[{"title":"Green | LP","offer_id":50510245462347,"sku":"1162093","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/1a11344d-c870-44bc-8497-e6a58a9c8c49_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727871937"},{"product_id":"so-good-ep","title":"So Good EP","description":"\u003cp\u003eLondon newcomer releases her debut EP via Little Tokyo Recordings \/ Dummy Records. In a time when the internet seems awash, and over saturated, it takes something truly remarkable to break through and head on an organic journey that grabs the imagination and acclaim of journalists, fans and musicians alike - but this is precisely what happened when Nao first uploaded her track with A.K Paul 'So Good' earlier this summer. Within 48hours it had taken on a life of its own; picking up acclaim from some of the world's most influential publications, gaining the number 1 spot on HypeMachine, being streamed over 100K times (it now sits just shy of 1M), getting played as Zane Lowe's \"Next Hype\" on BBC Radio 1 and gaining praise from the likes of Disclosure, Little Dragon, Chet Faker and Jacques Greene. With a mother hooked on gospel, which was an early introduction to vocals and harmony, a love for soul icon Donny Hathaway and the empowering Erykah Badu, Nao takes her vocal influences and combines them with an East London upbringing that saw her witness grime first hand, exposing her to a modern production that has stayed with her and helped form a potent mix. Written by Nao and co-produced by a mixture of A.K Paul (So Good), William Arcane (Good Girl), John Calvert (Back Porch and Control) and Loxe (Adore and Interlude), the 'So Good EP' leaps forward with old school soul throwbacks, flickers of hip-hop and Motown that are spliced with a modern production that makes something refreshingly unique, yet with a sense of familiarity, making Nao someone that seems capable of no limits.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dummy","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50526211932491,"sku":"382930","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/8cc7ab28-ec31-4f30-b578-d5f1a155a441_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728040610"},{"product_id":"free-energy","title":"Free Energy","description":"\u003cp\u003eMandatory Enjoyment was \u003cem\u003eDummy's\u003c\/em\u003e debut full-length album, released in late 2021 and quickly becoming one of the year's sleeper hits. After spending two years touring in support of the record, the band emerged with \u003cem\u003eFree Energy\u003c\/em\u003e, an exhilarating follow-up that reflects their transformational experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA creatively restless band, \u003cstrong\u003eDummy\u003c\/strong\u003e - consisting of Ewell on drums, synths, and bass; Maatman on vocals, synths, and organ; O'Dell on vocals, guitar, and organ; and Trainor on guitar, bass, and synths - aimed to push boundaries with their new record. They wanted to delve deeper into electronic textures while retaining the elemental qualities of rock, incorporating vocal loops, sampling, crazy rhythms, and playful synths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a record that celebrates music's ability to move the body, blending influences from noise rock to pop to dance music. Pop music has always been a key component of \u003cstrong\u003eDummy's\u003c\/strong\u003e sound, and it shines through in various ways on \u003cem\u003eFree Energy\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the bubbly synth sequences on \"\u003cem\u003eNullspace\u003c\/em\u003e\" to the motorik beat of \"\u003cem\u003eNine Clean Nails\u003c\/em\u003e,\" the album showcases a range of influences and styles. Guest appearances from saxophonist and electroacoustic artist Cole Pulice and Jen Powers add depth and dimension to the record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor fans of Seefeel, Water From Your Eyes, Cindy Lee, Can, Lewsberg, Aphex Twin, Portishead, Mandy Indiana, and Stereolab, \u003cem\u003eFree Energy\u003c\/em\u003e is a must-listen album that showcases \u003cstrong\u003eDummy's\u003c\/strong\u003e evolution and musical prowess.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Trouble In Mind Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50531458416971,"sku":"2206854","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Green LP","offer_id":50531459727691,"sku":"2206855","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Tape","offer_id":50531458318667,"sku":"2206853","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50531457040715,"sku":"2206852","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Dummy_-_Free_Energy_abe53d47_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728108773"},{"product_id":"dumb-eps-1","title":"Dumb EPs","description":"\u003cp\u003eDummy is a rock band from Los Angeles comprised of Alex Ewell, Emma Maatman, Nathan O’Dell, and Joe Trainor. EP 1 Originally released 2020 by Pop Wig. EP 2 Originally released 2020 by Born Yesterday\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Brion Gysin died, a tape was found in his possession which was posthumously released under his name entitled “The Pool.” It took many years and a lot of letters to realize this was actually a composition by his friend Paul Bowles, as they often sent recordings back and forth to each other. Dumb EPs are the same in a way—like tapes or letters crossed through time. Not as they are confused, from a band not earnestly wearing influences on its sleeve, but as a future touchstone making music that is uniquely their own. 14 songs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"K Records","offers":[{"title":"Tape","offer_id":53106094375243,"sku":"R6574-3726","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Dummy-DumbEPs.jpg?v=1754316966"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_c62ecb1a_thumbnail_4096_71aae4e6-32ec-4972-bc9c-06cbea591e15.jpg?v=1727780881","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/fr\/collections\/dummy.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}