The south London quartet Dry Cleaning have cemented their status as the most intriguing act of the recent sprechgesang wave with their third album, 'Secret Love'. Released on the iconic label 4AD on 9 January, the record sees the band – Florence Shaw, Lewis Maynard, Tom Dowse, and Nick Buxton – confidently expanding their musical palette while doubling down on the haunting, peculiar brilliance that first captivated listeners.
Beyond the Enigma: The Emotional Core of Shaw's Lyrics
Vocalist Florence Shaw's lyrical style remains instantly recognisable, a collage of surreal non sequiturs, overheard phrases, and mundane details delivered in her signature detached, achromatic tone. From musings on alien mushrooms to childhood dreams of being a horse, the surface is delightfully odd. However, 'Secret Love' reveals a sharper, more empathetic core beneath the enigma.
The album's true power lies in Shaw's ability to craft haunting vignettes of everyday lives quietly unravelling. In 'My Soul/Half Pint', a narrator's feminist protest against housekeeping masks deeper turmoil. The influencer in 'Evil Evil Idiot' dispenses dangerously useless wellness advice. Perhaps most poignant is 'Let Me Grow and You'll See the Fruit', where a character celebrating solitary freedom ultimately confesses to crushing loneliness. These are not mere puzzles; they are deeply affecting portraits with genuine emotional impact.
Musical Expansion and Powerful Collaboration
Musically, the band has grown exponentially. While the vinegary, distorted guitar that defined their early work is still present, 'Secret Love' ventures boldly into new territories. This evolution is guided by producer Cate Le Bon, a fellow traveller in left-field music.
The album opens with the machine-driven, 80s-inflected funk of 'Hit My Head All Day', a significant departure. They explore ominous, slow-burn atmospherics on 'Evil Evil Idiot' and employ synthesised drones on 'I Need You'. There's even a hint of warped folk in the guitar figure of the title track, 'Secret Love (Concealed in a Drawing of a Boy)'. This newly expansive sound provides a powerful, dynamic backdrop for Shaw's lyrical flights, proving the band have fully outgrown any initial novelty value.
A Standout Act Coming Into Its Own
Dry Cleaning have always stood apart from their post-punk peers. Where others often trade in anger or sarcasm, Dry Cleaning deal in a compelling, icy mystery. With 'Secret Love', they transcend that mystery without losing their unique identity. The combination of Shaw's sharp, observant storytelling and the band's increasingly adventurous and concise musical compositions marks a significant step forward.
The sense of a group shifting confidently into new creative spaces is palpable throughout the album. 'Secret Love' is not just a consolidation of their strengths but a bold expansion, solidifying Dry Cleaning's position as one of the most distinctive and brilliant bands operating in the UK today.
