Dry Cleaning: Secret Love review | Alexis Petridis's album of the week

Dry Cleaning's latest album "Secret Love" plunges into the depths of its titular protagonist's psyche, yielding an unsettlingly intimate portrayal of emotional turmoil. The quartet's leader Florence Shaw weaves a tapestry of surreal narratives that blur the lines between pretension and sincerity.

One track, "Cruise Ship Designer," stands out for its biting satire on the excesses of artistic navel-gazing. Rather than reinforcing the notion of hidden messages, Shaw subverts expectations with a searing critique of the very act of crafting such meanings. The lyrics here are less puzzle pieces to be solved and more scathing indictments of pretentiousness.

Beneath the band's signature disaffected charm lies a remarkable facility for conjuring scenes of quietly devastating desperation from the lives of those who appear mundane on the surface. "My Soul/Half Pint" presents an unassuming housekeeper rebelling against the drudgery, while "Evil Evil Idiot" skewers wellness advice masquerading as genuine care. In both cases, Shaw's lyrics convey a sense of urgent loneliness, refusing to be reduced to mere cleverness.

Secret Love stands out from its peers by virtue of its peerless emotional intelligence and the band's willingness to venture into uncharted sonic territory. Despite maintaining their characteristic post-punk edge, they seamlessly integrate elements of 80s funk, synthesizers, and warped folk, creating an aural landscape that is both expansive and cohesive.

In "Secret Love," Dry Cleaning demonstrates remarkable growth, having outgrown its initial notoriety and confidently established itself as a band with a keen eye for the human condition.
 
I just listened to their new album "Secret Love" and I'm OBSESSED! 🀩 The way Florence Shaw writes about these people's lives, it's like she's peeking into their secrets and sharing them with us in this super intimate way... it's really beautiful and also kinda heartbreaking πŸ˜”. And I love how they're not afraid to poke fun at themselves and the pretentiousness that comes with being an artist πŸ€ͺ. It's like, they're taking all these heavy emotions and twisting them into these wickedly funny songs πŸ˜‚. The way they blend all these different genres together is pure magic ✨. I think this album is gonna be a game-changer for Dry Cleaning and proves they're more than just a band with a cool sound, they're telling stories that need to be heard πŸ’¬.
 
I gotta say, I'm low-key loving how this album is pushing back against all the pretentious vibes in the indie scene πŸ€ͺ. Florence Shaw's got some serious teeth, you know? She's not afraid to go after her own bandmates and the entire concept of "artistic intention" - that's some refreshing honesty right there πŸ‘Š. And I'm also really impressed by how they've managed to balance their signature chill with this darker, more urgent stuff. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we can be moody and weird too, but also actually say something meaningful about the human experience" πŸ’­. Overall, I think Dry Cleaning is onto something special here – it's not just another album from a trendy band, it's a statement about what music should actually mean 🎡.
 
I'm loving this album, but can we talk about how honest it is? It's like Florence Shaw is holding up a mirror to her own emotions and they're reflecting back at us in all their messy glory πŸ˜©πŸ’”. I think what really stands out is how she tackles the whole pretentious artist thing head-on. Like, who needs to hide behind symbolism when you can just rip it apart with scathing lyrics? 🀯

And the way they blend different styles and genres is pure genius. It's like they're having a sonic conversation with themselves and coming up with this incredible, cohesive sound that just draws you in 😍.

What I love most about Secret Love is its emotional intelligence. Florence's songwriting is all about capturing those moments of desperation and loneliness that we've all experienced at some point or another. It's not always easy to listen to, but it's undeniably real ❀️.
 
I gotta say, I'm loving this album by Dry Cleaning! 🎸 It's like they're using music to tackle some heavy stuff - like, Florence Shaw's lyrics are so spot on when it comes to calling out pretentiousness in art and society... Reminds me of when our politicians start getting too big for their britches, you know? 😏 But seriously, this band has got real emotional intelligence, and that's what makes their music so impactful. It's not just about catchy hooks or clever wordplay - it's about genuine understanding of the human experience. And let's be real, who hasn't been there at some point, feeling like they're just going through the motions? πŸ’” That's why I think this album is such a game-changer...
 
Ugh I'm so done with all this pretentious music speak πŸ™„ - like can we just say it's good already? πŸ˜‚ Florence Shaw is literally a genius, her lyrics are so sharp they'll cut you and "Cruise Ship Designer" is like a shot to the ego. But seriously, I love how Dry Cleaning isn't afraid to tackle the harder stuff, like loneliness and desperation. It's like they're not just singing about feelings, but actually feeling them too πŸ€•. And can we talk about that funky 80s vibe? it's like they're taking all this angst and turning it into a disco party πŸ’ƒπŸ»
 
I'm loving this new album from Dry Cleaning! Florence Shaw's lyrics are just so on point - it's like she's speaking directly to me πŸ˜‚. The way they tackle everyday struggles, but still sound super poetic and deep... I mean, have you heard "My Soul/Half Pint"? That line about the housekeeper rebelling against her mundane life is giving me all the feels 🀯. And I love how the band's not afraid to experiment with different sounds - it's like they're having a party in your ears πŸŽ‰! The way they blend post-punk and 80s funk... magic happens! Can't wait to see what they do next πŸ’«
 
I'm not sure if I agree that this album is so deep and meaningful πŸ€”... like, maybe it's just really well-written lyrics? But then again, maybe Florence Shaw's songwriting skills are genuinely groundbreaking 😬. One thing's for sure tho - "Cruise Ship Designer" has some pretty scathing lines that'll leave you thinking about pretentiousness in music. On the flip side, I think it's kinda weird that the band's got this whole "emotional intelligence" vibe goin' on... are they just more aware of their own emotional struggles or what? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ Anyway, the way Dry Cleaning blends different genres is pretty dope πŸ’₯, but does that necessarily mean it's some kind of bold artistic statement? πŸ€”
 
omg i am LIVING for this new album from dry cleaning!! 🀯 florence shaw is like a genius or something - her lyrics are so raw and honest, it's like she's speaking straight to my soul 😩 "cruise ship designer" is like, the most scathing critique of pretentiousness i've ever heard... and don't even get me started on "my soul/half pint" - that song is giving me ALL the feels πŸ€— the way they blend post-punk with 80s funk and synthesizers is pure magic ✨ i'm not gonna lie, i was a bit skeptical at first when i saw the title "secret love", but now i'm hooked 🀫 dry cleaning has really outgrown their initial hype and proved themselves as a band with some serious depth πŸ’―
 
i'm low-key surprised they didn't get roasted for their pretentious album title... i mean, it's kinda like the ultimate symbol of how outta touch some people are πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ dry cleaning's 'secret love' is def an acquired taste - if you dig the whole surreal, emotional turmoil vibe, but if not, it's just another overhyped indie album trying too hard to be deep πŸ’”
 
🀯 I'm utterly fascinated by Florence Shaw's songwriting prowess in "Secret Love" - she has an uncanny ability to strip away pretension and expose the raw emotion beneath 🎢 The way she tackles themes of loneliness and desperation is both hauntingly familiar and refreshingly honest, making you wonder how someone can capture such vulnerability in their lyrics. I also love how they experiment with different sounds, incorporating elements of 80s funk and synthesizers to create a sonic landscape that's equal parts nostalgic and forward-thinking 🌈 The band's growth is genuinely impressive, and it's exciting to see them pushing the boundaries of what's possible in post-punk music πŸ’₯
 
omg i'm literally obsessed w/ dry cleaning's new album secret love 🀯! florence shaw's lyrics are SO on point, they're like she's speaking directly to ur soul ❀️. i mean, who needs puzzles when u can just have a scathing indictment of pretentiousness? πŸ˜‚ "cruise ship designer" is like the ultimate shade πŸ’β€β™€οΈ. and can we talk about how they seamlessly blend different genres without losing their post-punk edge? 🀯 it's like they're speaking ur language, fam! πŸ‘€
 
I'm loving this album! As a parent, I can totally relate to how Florence Shaw writes about feeling like you're just trying to navigate life without anyone judging you, but still trying to put on a brave face πŸ€ͺ. My kid's school drama is way more dramatic than "Cruise Ship Designer" - at least in my mind it is πŸ˜‚! But seriously, I think what impresses me most about this album is how Dry Cleaning tackles real issues like loneliness and desperation without being too preachy. It's like they're speaking directly to the kids (and let's be honest, adults too πŸ™„) who feel like they don't quite fit in. The way Florence Shaw writes these stories that seem so relatable but also totally unique is just incredible - it makes me want to play the album on repeat and have a good cry with my partner 😭.
 
omg this album is SO good 🀩🎢 dry cleaning is like my fave band now πŸ™Œ they're so talented but also super honest about their emotions πŸ’” florence shaw's lyrics are like, whoa 🀯 she's got a way of making you feel all the feels 😭 and that one track "cruise ship designer" is just πŸ”₯ i love how they're not afraid to poke fun at themselves or others πŸ‘€ it's like, they're in on the joke but still deliver some serious burn πŸ”ͺ anyway, i'm totally obsessed with this album 🎡
 
I'm lovin' their latest album Secret Love πŸŽΆπŸ‘ - it's like they're really speakin' straight to your soul! The way Florence Shaw writes about these dark, twisted emotions is just so relatable 🀯. And I gotta give it up for her satirical track "Cruise Ship Designer" - that's some sharp wit right there πŸ˜‚. What I love most about this album, though, is how they're not afraid to get real and vulnerable, even if it means makin' you feel uncomfortable for a sec πŸ’”. It's like they're puttin' on this mask of pretentiousness, but then takin' it off and showin' us the messy, human side underneath 🎭. The production is sick too - that 80s funk vibe? πŸ”₯
 
🎢 I'm totally obsessed with their latest album "Secret Love" 🀯 Florence Shaw's lyrics are like a punch to the gut - so raw and honest it's like she's speaking straight to your soul πŸ’” The way they blend post-punk with 80s funk is pure magic ✨ And that song "Cruise Ship Designer"... I love how they're not afraid to poke fun at themselves (or rather, their own pretentiousness) πŸ˜‚ It feels like a breath of fresh air in the music scene right now. πŸŒͺ️
 
🎡 I'm loving how Dry Cleaning's new album "Secret Love" dives deep into the complexities of human emotions πŸ’” It's like Florence Shaw is speaking directly to your soul, you know? The way she weaves these surreal narratives that feel both pretentious and sincere at the same time is just masterful 🀯 And I'm obsessed with how they subvert expectations in tracks like "Cruise Ship Designer" - it's like a punch in the face for all that overthinkery πŸ˜‚ Plus, the way they blend different styles like post-punk, funk, and folk creates this amazing sonic landscape that's both familiar and innovative 🌐 I think what sets Dry Cleaning apart is their emotional intelligence - they're not afraid to tackle heavy topics with sensitivity and nuance πŸ’•
 
man i'm lovin this new album from dry cleaning - they're like the perfect mix of pretentiousness and authenticity, you know? it's like florence shaw is just gonna dive headfirst into her own emotional trash can and see what kind of weird stuff comes out 🀯. and yeah, "cruise ship designer" is a total scathing critique of the whole 'hidden message' thing - it's like, can't we just be real for once? πŸ™„

anyway, i think what really sets dry cleaning apart is their ability to take these seemingly mundane stories and turn them into something truly devastating. "my soul/half pint" gives me all the feels, you know? it's like they're capturing this moment of quiet desperation that just resonates so deeply.

i'm also loving how they've branched out sonically - i mean, who knew dry cleaning could funk like that? 😎 it's like they're exploring all these different textures and moods, and it's really paying off. all in all, "secret love" is a masterclass in emotional intelligence and sonic experimentation. 🀩
 
🌱 I'm totally obsessed with their new album Secret Love! The way Florence Shaw writes about emotional turmoil is so raw and honest it's like she's speaking straight to your soul 🀯. And I love how they subvert expectations on tracks like "Cruise Ship Designer" - it's like, okay, you thought you knew where the song was going, but nope! They call out pretentiousness for what it is, and it's so refreshing πŸ’β€β™€οΈ.

I also appreciate how they focus on everyday people who might seem mundane on the surface, but are actually dealing with some serious stuff. Like, "My Soul/Half Pint" is just heartbreaking - who hasn't felt like a rebel without a cause at some point? πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ. And the way they blend different genres to create this unique sound is pure magic ✨.

Overall, I think Secret Love is a game-changer for Dry Cleaning, and it's clear they've grown into an incredible band with a deep understanding of what makes us human ❀️.
 
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