While the 2021 debut ‘New Long Leg’ marked Dry Cleaning's entry into the music scene and the 2022 follow-up ‘Stumpwork’ showcased their sound refinement, their third endeavor, ‘Secret Love’, sees the band taking a refreshing sidestep, striking a balance between the familiar and the innovative. The unmistakable presence of Florence Shaw with her deadpan delivery and often stream-of-consciousness lyrics is central to the band, and ultimately, the album’s allure is influenced by one’s preexisting appreciation for her style and the wiry post-punk soundscapes she navigates. For those who resonate with this, their decision to involve Cate Le Bon in the production adds an element that feels both renewed and inviting to explore. This is most evident in the almost-title track ‘Secret Love (Concealed In A Drawing Of A Boy)’, characterized by its gentle guitar repetition and a lively, sing-song vocal style, along with ‘Blood’, which introduces a nuanced hint of dreamy, ‘60s-inspired pop layered over a drum beat that mirrors a racing heartbeat. In this track, Florence's voice is strikingly close, creating either an intimate or unsettling ASMR-like sensation. The final track, ‘Joy’, evokes the upbeat indie pop reminiscent of Cate’s own creations, aptly named as it abruptly yet pleasantly wraps up the album. Additionally, ‘The Cute Things’ stands out as an unexpectedly maximalist piece, bringing a lively bounce to Florence’s typical sprechgesang and infusing a sense of Americana that’s intriguing, particularly with Jeff Tweedy credited on the song.
Despite this subtle diversity in sound, the essence of Dry Cleaning remains intact: in ‘Cruise Ship Designer’, Florence reflects on the apathetic mindset of the titular character, stating, “Cruises are big business / I don’t personally like them / But I need to serve a useful purpose.” The album also finds room for both the mundane and the absurd: “New York has been pretty good / We have a couple of days left and as yet I have seen no one famous,” she comments in ‘Secret Love (Concealed In A Drawing Of A Boy)’; ‘I Need You’ presents the line, “I’m waiting inside a talcum powder box / For you to lift the lid and discover me”; while ‘The Cute Things’ combines humor and sincerity with lines like “I admire you and your family vibe / And I’m sorry that you got attacked by a dog”; “Playing drums / Big boxy hair fills the frame / For you, a true melon.” While this record may not convert new listeners to Dry Cleaning, for existing fans, it offers a delightful array of new experiences to delve into.
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