Right now, Dummy has a sound that seems as perfect as American indie is likely to get. They are the sort of band who take no wrong steps, whose sound is impeccably sourced, and who are adept at blending the things we like as listeners into something both familiar and fresh. And this week they are adding their genius to the Sub Pop Singles Club series of releases.
"Mono Retriever" / "Pepsi Vacuum" mines similar territory as that on the band's debut full-length album, the excellent Mandatory Enjoyment. Still, the sound here is refined, a condensed two-track burst of brilliance from a band so skilled at this sort of thing that a fan consistently and pleasantly gets surprised. Sure, "Mono Retriever" charges like Stereolab in 1992, but it's its own thing too. Sharp and fuzzy, there's a whiff of U.S. garage rock in the grooves that I dig a lot. The flip is more spacious. "Pepsi Vacuum" expands out in waves, the vibe a blissed out one. An absolute pleasure trip, man.
"Mono Retriever" / "Pepsi Vacuum" is out on Sub Pop on Friday. Details on the Dummy Bandcamp page. The band is heading out on tour with the also excellent Horsegirl soon. See below.
[Photo: Alex Bulli / Single Artwork: Emma Maatman]
