Goon: Dream 3 [Album Review]

Goon
Dream 3
Born Losers Records [2025]

“Dream 3 shimmers, howls, and stuns—Goon’s unexpected masterpiece of the year.”

Album Overview: It would have been one of my biggest regrets this year to not write this review. Goon’s Dream 3 is a shoegaze sleeper-hit of the year. The 10 year old LA band was originally a solo project by leader Kenny Becker but then it blossomed into something more. Fast forward past two albums, Heaven is Humming and Hour of Green Evening, and a lineup change to get us to 2025 and the release of Dream 3.

The band now consists of Becker (Vocals, Guitar), Andy Polito (Drums), Dillon Peralta (Guitar), and Tamara Simons (Bass). The album was a different experience for the band due to the fact that it wasn’t recorded live. It’s this that makes multiple layers feel as impactful as they do. It’s an album that feels draped and adorned with haunting and lush textures.

Musical Style: I brought up shoegaze before however the music has a dank mystical feel that really adds to the atmosphere. The album creates a sonic wall that’s detailed without being overwhelming. At times a blanket of stars smothers the brain in one moment but, the next moment it is a slow burn rage that can drag you through the muck.

Evolution of Sound: Goon has always possessed a homespun, ramshackle feel that really comes to the forefront with this release. This album is the band giving into the grime and being a better product for it. Hour of Green Evening does lean towards the presentation of Dream 3 but it had a cleaner production feel that detracts from reaching its full charming potential.

Artists with Similar Fire: In much of the band’s promo, acts like Soft Machine and Caravan come up. The group also hovers around the cosmic stylings of King Crimson, Pink Floyd, and David Bowie. In a more modern psychedelic context, you hear snippets of Frankie and the Witch Fingers in their flowery period. Osees show up through their mid-catalog organ antics. I also hear towering moments reminiscent of Goon’s shoegaze/psychedelic excursions on their newest release Dream 3. The band further draws influence from the Australian psych scene, including Tame Impala and Pond.

Pivotal Tracks: “Begin Here” and “Closer to” are a great way for the album to begin. The album really grabbed my attention with the combination of “Patsy’s Twin” and “For Cutting the Grass.” “Patsy’s Twin” starts with an innocent mysticism but then quickly grinds into a chaos that would make Norman Bates salivate. I don’t know if this is just me but I couldn’t help to hear the influences of video game scores in the songs. “For Cutting the Grass” had huge notes that ring out while I hear parts of Super Mario 64’s “Dire Dire Docks” in the moments after the dirge notes stop. “Toluca’s” instrumental charm also nods to the soundtrack of Donut County. “Fruit Cup” bends the listener between a warm, desert mysticism and a slow motion supernova similar to “My Bloody Valentine”. “This Morning Six Rabbits Were Born” churns a small weightless cyclone that feels meditative in its execution.

Lyrical Strength: It seems in writing the album Becker had no shortage of material. The album has moments that feel like they’re keeping a smiling face, but in fact the songs are touching on themes of love loss and divorce. The album also has an apt title due to the disconnected, hazy dream word that a lot of the lyrics reflect.

Final Groove: Becker and company have created something that feels wondrous and childlike yet unexpected and volatile. Beckers’ tenor partnered with the cosmic and unexpected twists and turns that the band provides is a recipe for goosebumps and chills. Dream 3’s sonic architecture satisfies aging and again which is why it’s my number 1 album for this year. They’re really not much more I can say, you just really have to do yourself a favor and experience it for yourself!

GOON LINKS
Website | Instagram | Bandcamp | Born Losers Records