released: january 9th, 2026

genre: alternative / post-punk

from: london, uk

label: 4ad

a few thoughts: dry cleaning have been one of my favourite bands of the last few years or so. 2021’s new long leg was a breath a fresh air when it came out, a rhythmic and fiery album with deadpan lyrics and delivery from lead singer florence shaw, who’s eccentric and out-there lyricism makes for a stiking listening experience. 2022’s stumpwork followed the same formula, with explosive moments that built on the already immersive sound they’ve built. four years after the release of their sophomore album, they are back with secret love, perhaps their most expressive and eclectic album to date, produced by experimental pop icon cate le bon. the 11-track album features florence’s usual spoken-word delivery, yet with a more varied vocal style, including more melodic moments throughout. “hit my head all day” has incredible guitar-driven leads and rhythmic percussion, with surrealist, funny lyrics – “when i was a child, i wanted to drive a horse (to drive a horse) / onions, carrots, and celery (onions, carrots, and celery)”. the album is filled with disorienting and odd lyrics, and captures the absurd brilliance of florence’s poetry. the guitar leads throughout are exceptional, too. “cruise ship designer” is another punchy moment, as florence describes what it’s like to be a cruise ship designer for the mega-rich, while the drumming and guitar leads on “my soul / half pint” are exceptional, with the anti-cleaning sentiment being something i relate to heavily. florence’s vocals on “secret love (concealed in a drawing of a boy)” are stunning, with incredible guitar leads from tom dowse and riveting drumming from nick buxton. lewis maynard’s rumbling basslines on “let me grow and you’ll see the fruit” are exceptional, with a light melody and humorous lyrics that are just a joy to listen to. the atmospheric brass instrumentation builds throughout, making it a standout on the album for me. the intensity of “blood” is terrific, while “evil evil idiot” combines these groovy, moody basslines, with explosive guitar leads that are intense and utterly captivating throughout. the fast-paced intensity of “rocks” is infectious, while the melodic and captivating “the cute things” is another highlight, as it explodes to life, as tom’s incredible guitar leads make it a punchy, memorable moment on the album. the atmospheric “i need you” is a beautiful and reflective moment on the album, with stunning synth-led moments that are just utterly captivating throughout. “joy” closes the album with emphatic rhythms that just hit throughout, as florence proclaims “we’ll build a cute harmless world / don’t want one from you, cult”. it’s powerful way to conclude an excellent album. secret love is their most expressive and expansive album to date, with stunning compositions and disorienting lyricism that captures the absurdist nature of their sonic world, while providing some incredibly memorable compositions that help assert them as one of the most exciting bands working today.

the album: