Alexis Petridis has crowned Dry Cleaning as this week's album of the week for their latest release, Secret Love. The South London quartet are known for their surreal and enigmatic sound, which often delves into themes of alienation and social commentary. However, with Secret Love, the band seems to be stripping away some of its mystique, opting for a more straightforward approach that still packs a punch.
Lead vocalist Florence Shaw's lyrics remain as cryptic and intriguing as ever, but the songs on this album are less focused on setting puzzles for listeners to unravel. Instead, she tackles more prosaic yet affecting themes, such as the struggles of everyday life, loneliness, and social anxiety. Tracks like "My Soul/Half Pint" and "Let Me Grow and You'll See the Fruit" showcase Shaw's ability to craft haunting vignettes that slowly reveal their darker undertones.
Musically, the album ventures beyond Dry Cleaning's signature distorted guitar sound, incorporating elements of 80s funk, atmospheric synths, and even warped folk. The production, handled by Cate Le Bon, adds a new dimension to the band's sound, making Secret Love feel like a natural progression rather than a novelty act.
The standout track for Petridis is undoubtedly "Cruise Ship Designer," which skewers pretentiousness with its protagonist spewing hollow platitudes about his chosen profession. The line has sparked debate among listeners, and it seems that Shaw herself is having fun subverting expectations – and making sure the listener knows they're getting the last laugh.
Overall, Secret Love is an album that works on multiple levels. Its sharp lyrics, concise songwriting, and adventurous production make for a compelling listen that's both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. If you were skeptical about Dry Cleaning's ability to scale beyond its quirky sound, this latest release should put your doubts firmly in check.
For those looking for alternative listens, Petridis recommends Sharp Pins' lo-fi recreation of 1965 pop, which is a delightful treat that showcases the band's skill at doing what they do so well.
Lead vocalist Florence Shaw's lyrics remain as cryptic and intriguing as ever, but the songs on this album are less focused on setting puzzles for listeners to unravel. Instead, she tackles more prosaic yet affecting themes, such as the struggles of everyday life, loneliness, and social anxiety. Tracks like "My Soul/Half Pint" and "Let Me Grow and You'll See the Fruit" showcase Shaw's ability to craft haunting vignettes that slowly reveal their darker undertones.
Musically, the album ventures beyond Dry Cleaning's signature distorted guitar sound, incorporating elements of 80s funk, atmospheric synths, and even warped folk. The production, handled by Cate Le Bon, adds a new dimension to the band's sound, making Secret Love feel like a natural progression rather than a novelty act.
The standout track for Petridis is undoubtedly "Cruise Ship Designer," which skewers pretentiousness with its protagonist spewing hollow platitudes about his chosen profession. The line has sparked debate among listeners, and it seems that Shaw herself is having fun subverting expectations – and making sure the listener knows they're getting the last laugh.
Overall, Secret Love is an album that works on multiple levels. Its sharp lyrics, concise songwriting, and adventurous production make for a compelling listen that's both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. If you were skeptical about Dry Cleaning's ability to scale beyond its quirky sound, this latest release should put your doubts firmly in check.
For those looking for alternative listens, Petridis recommends Sharp Pins' lo-fi recreation of 1965 pop, which is a delightful treat that showcases the band's skill at doing what they do so well.
I gotta say, Dry Cleaning's Secret Love is like a breath of fresh air 
! After their weird and wonderful vibes, it's cool to see them strip away some of the mystery and just deliver something real 
. Florence Shaw's lyrics are always cryptic, but on this album, she tackles stuff that feels super relatable 
... I mean, who hasn't struggled with everyday life or social anxiety? The way they blend different sounds is so interesting – it's like they're having a party in your ears 
! "Cruise Ship Designer" is a standout track, and I love how Shaw just takes the mic and owns that line 
. Give this album a listen if you want something smart, catchy, and emotionally resonant 
just listened to Dry Cleaning's Secret Love and I'm OBSESSED! 
their new sound is still so hauntingly beautiful, but also super relatable 
Florence Shaw's lyrics are like a punch in the gut – you can't look away from them 
. I love how they're not trying to be as mysterious as before, instead embracing a more straightforward approach that's just as impactful 
"Cruise Ship Designer" is giving me LIFE 
who else is obsessed with this album?! 
they're really stripping away the mystique and just serving up some relatable lyrics about everyday struggles and social anxiety 
it's crazy how florence shaw's vocals can go from haunting to heartbreaking in seconds 
i'm obsessed with "cruise ship designer" - that line is EVERYTHING 
and cate le bon's production is genius as always 
this album is like a natural progression for the band, not some novelty act trying too hard 
anyone else listen to it yet? 
Florence Shaw's lyrics are always so on point, it's like she's tapping into this weird sense of reality that feels super relatable. And Cate Le Bon's production is genius, it adds this whole new layer to their sound 
The album's got this weird balance of dark and light, it's not too heavy but it's still got some serious depth to it. And that standout track "Cruise Ship Designer" is pure comedy gold 
. Overall, Secret Love is an amazing album that showcases Dry Cleaning's growth and skill as songwriters 
. If you haven't checked it out yet, definitely give it a spin! 
they're still weird but now its more relatable, u feel? florence shaws lyrics are as cryptic as ever but this time its more like she's having a convo with u rather than leaving u to figure everything out 
also the production is straight fire, cate le bon did an amazing job adding new dimensions to their sound 
. They're not afraid to get real and explore everyday struggles, loneliness, and social anxiety in a way that's both thought-provoking and relatable. I mean, Florence Shaw's lyrics are as cryptic as ever, but now they feel more personal and raw 
The songs feel more straightforward and less like they're trying to stump you intellectually. Don't get me wrong, Florence Shaw's lyrics are still pretty great, but it feels like she's going for a more relatable vibe instead of this surreal/anti-social commentary thing that made them so compelling in the first place 
. Florence Shaw's lyrics are as cryptic and intriguing as ever, but this time she's tackling more prosaic yet affecting themes that will definitely resonate with listeners 
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. The line has sparked debate among listeners, but I think Shaw's just having fun subverting expectations and making sure we know she's in on the joke 
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i mean it was like they were waiting for something or someone, idk if it's because of all the fish and chips floating around or what but anyway it made me think about how humans can be just as weird when we're in groups 
I gotta say, Dry Cleaning's Secret Love album is giving me life! 
! And the production is insane 
. If you haven't checked it out yet, do yourself a favor and give it a spin 
The way Florence Shaw tackles everyday struggles and social anxiety on her lyrics is really relatable. I mean, who hasn't felt like they're just trying to survive sometimes? 
The production is fire too - Cate Le Bon's handling is perfection. 
I'm all about that vibe when it comes to Dry Cleaning's new album Secret Love 
. Florence Shaw's lyrics are like a puzzle box - you gotta dig in to find the depth and meaning 
. What I love most is how Petridis praises the band's ability to strip away their mystique and still pack a punch 
. It's all about the storytelling now, and Shaw's got it down pat 
. For me, it's all about embracing the imperfections and finding beauty in the everyday stuff. That's what Secret Love is all about – being human, even when it's hard 
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. It's like they're taking all these different influences and weaving them together into something totally new and exciting. I mean, who would've thought to add 80s funk to a dry cleaning-themed album? Genius