The latest single from Dry Cleaning, titled "Joy," perfectly captures a sound that beautifully bridges the influential styles of Sonic Youth and Stereolab. If you're perusing Stereogum, that description alone probably piqued your interest enough to hit play on the track. So, my job here is essentially done!
However, if you crave a bit more context: This Friday marks the release of Dry Cleaning's new album, "Secret Love," produced by the talented Cate Le Bon. We’ve already shared a few tracks from this upcoming LP, including "Hit My Head All Day," "Cruise Ship Designer," and "Let Me Grow And You'll See The Fruit." The final track on the album, "Joy," features a complex interplay of guitars, paired with deadpan vocals and a sophisticated rhythm section. According to the promotional materials, the lyrics for this song were intriguingly crafted from advertisements found in Virginia Tech University's History of Food and Drink archive.
Florence Shaw, the band's lead vocalist, shares her thoughts on the song:
"Lately, I've been feeling quite pessimistic about the state of the world. The troubling influence of what's referred to as 'the manosphere,' the ongoing genocide in Palestine despite widespread protests, the alarming rise of the racist Reform party in the UK, and the unsettling integration of AI into creative sectors like art and music—all these regressive trends weigh heavily on my mind. I aimed to harness my desire to remain positive and to advocate for kindness, joy, and compassion."
Shaw's aspirations seem commendable in these challenging times, don’t they? You can check out the dance-centric music video directed by Cuan Roche below.
Mark your calendars: "Secret Love" will be available starting January 9th through 4AD.
