Dry Cleaning
– New Long Leg
Dry Cleaning’s New Long Leg, released in 2021, is a masterful post-punk album that thrives on its wit, tension, and intricate soundscapes. The band crafts an atmosphere that feels simultaneously raw and surreal, with jagged guitars, driving basslines, and restrained yet propulsive rhythms serving as the backdrop for Florence Shaw’s deadpan, spoken-word delivery.
What makes the album extraordinary is Shaw’s ability to weave mundane observations, absurd humor, and existential musings into a tapestry of lyrics that feel oddly relatable and deeply intriguing. The juxtaposition of her detached vocal style against the band’s dynamic instrumentals creates a sense of constant tension, making the listening experience both captivating and thought-provoking.
New Long Leg is not just a bold debut but a confident declaration of Dry Cleaning’s artistic vision, offering a refreshing take on contemporary post-punk. Its balance of intellectual lyricism and infectious grooves makes it a standout achievement in modern rock.