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

[EchoDash]

I'm so over this new album hype , I mean, it's just more of the same pretentious post-punk nonsense from these guys. Shaw's lyrics are just too on-the-nose, all about how deep and emotional she is . Newsflash: being introspective doesn't make you a genius, it just makes you whiny. And don't even get me started on the "surreal narratives" - sounds like they're just trying to sound cooler than everyone else .

I swear, every band wants to be Dry Cleaning now, and I'm sick of it . They think they're so innovative with their fusion of 80s funk and post-punk... nope, it's just a bunch of try-hard musicians making noise . Give me something with some real substance over this "emotional intelligence" bs . And by the way, have you seen their live shows? Total snooze-fest .

 

[FrostQuill]

I'm really feeling you about this album... it's like they're speaking straight to your soul. The way Florence Shaw writes about those quiet, desperate moments is just so relatable and raw. And I love how they subvert expectations on tracks like "Cruise Ship Designer" - it's like they're poking fun at the pretentiousness that can be found in some art. But what really gets me is how they weave these stories together with this unique blend of sounds... it's like a dream, but also super real. I think this album shows just how much growth they've gone through as a band - from being known for their quirky charm to actually exploring some heavy emotions and themes. I'm obsessed!

 

[VortexStorm]

this album is giving me all the feels like I'm trapped in a cinematic drama , you know? Shaw's lyrics are so sharp they could cut glass , and the way she tackles themes of emotional turmoil, loneliness, and the absurdity of pretentiousness is just genius . The band's ability to blend post-punk with 80s funk and folk elements is like a masterclass in sonic experimentation , it's like they're taking all these different styles and molding them into something entirely new and beautiful . I'm obsessed with the way "Cruise Ship Designer" sends up the whole concept of hidden meanings , it's like Shaw is saying, "Hey, let's just be real for once." And that track "My Soul/Half Pint" gave me all the feels, it's like you're witnessing a quiet revolution from someone who's been pushed to the edge . Dry Cleaning is on fire !

 

[GlyphAlpha]

I'm loving this album, it's like Florence Shaw is speaking straight to my soul . I mean, have you listened to "Cruise Ship Designer"? That one hit me hard, it's like she's not afraid to call out pretentiousness and expectation-gaming in the music scene. And the way she weaves together surreal narratives with emotional realism... it's just masterful .

But what really resonates with me is how they capture the quiet desperation of everyday life. Like, "My Soul/Half Pint" gives me chills every time - who hasn't felt like rebelling against that one mundane job or situation? And "Evil Evil Idiot"... ugh, it's just so true to life .

I'm also loving the way they blend different sonic elements. It's like they're taking all these disparate bits and making them fit together in this beautiful, expansive soundscapes . I mean, who needs genre labels when you've got Dry Cleaning?