Just before things threatened to become a bit monotonous, Dry Cleaning arrived with their 2022 album Stumpwork. The core ingredients remained—artfully lurching post-punk paired with Florence Shaw’s spoken delivery—but the band began to vary the formula more, letting new currents flow in.
Secret Love (4AD), the London band’s third album, picks up right there. Gentle adjustments to the recipe, with new contributors who remain largely unobtrusive. Cate Le Bon produced the record and adds touches of electronics, though they never take over. Jeff Tweedy plays guitar on one track, without drawing too much attention to himself.
Overall, it’s an album that’s rich in atmosphere but short on real highlights. Secret Love emerged as a collaborative project, and you can feel that. It’s like opening the door to a rehearsal room and catching a band jamming away, undisturbed. They haven’t quite found the hit yet, but they play with ease and confidence.
The signature sound is everywhere, just a little looser. “Hit My Head All Day” is a lovely, full-bodied and subtly absurd opener. A six-minute opening track? Still, it’s a small hurdle when music this gently enveloping is offered up.
The title track is excellent, as is “Evil Evil Idiot,” which unfolds beautifully. We should also mention “Rocks,” a slightly more restless cut.