REVIEW: Dry Cleaning's "Swampy" via 4AD

Disclaimer: The following is a re-post from earlier this year. This review was originally posted alongside three others but, in the time, since posting those reviews allegations of sexual assault have emerged about a musician, I gave a lot of praise to. I ask that you always believe victims and give your support to artists who work hard and manage to maintain being an unharmful person.

If you like the new Paramore record you should probably check out Dry Cleaning. This was one of the bands Hayley Williams cited listening to during the process of creating This is Why. On their own terms Dry Cleaning has made quite a statement, finding some pretty big success in the post-punk realm off of their last album; Stumpwork, which was released last year. “Swampy” is actually a B-side of Stumpwork, with the original versions of “Hot Penny Day” and “Gary Ashby” being found on that record as well.

The title track has a slower, more abstract instrumental that almost reminds me of an MTV Unplugged presentation in its own way with the blues-like intro and then holding onto the momentum. As a whole this track was what I understood of this band from the outside looking in, it’s slam poetry to the tune of some gentle, indie goodness. When you need that type of energy the song just hits. Then when vocalist Florence Shaw throws in a line or two of an almost lazy singing delivery. That’s the cherry on top. I don’t totally understand what this song is trying to say, but in many ways, I think I’m richer for the experience in that way.


“Hot Penny Day” was remixed by Bolis Pupul and Charlotte Adigery, who released a pretty incredible collaborative album in their own right last year. Lyrically it’s a sensible song for them to put their stamp on as it talks about counterbalancing toxic masculinity with toxic femininity. They make it their own for sure, using some synths to make the track itself sound like it would be at home on their record and turning the chorus to a more electropop presentation. They also manage to completely shift the context of some of the vocal melodies by pitching them and having them fit in new spaces.


Nourished by Time, who I’m less familiar with, remixed “Gary Ashby” but it’s more so a blend of remix and cover. They recorded new vocals for this one with a much grander presentation and used the original stems as backing vocals. It’s a track I appreciate a lot especially as a new fan.


I was more outside-looking-in as far as Dry Cleaning went before this EP but between these songs and the instrumental interludes, I think I’ve been won over as a fan. I’m working hard to clear out my review bank right now so that I have some time to do a discography deep dive because I may have come from another record, but I think I end up enjoying this a lot more.


Our rating - 8/10

  1. Swampy
  2. Sombre Two
  3. Hot Penny Day [Charolette Adigery & Boris Pupil remix]
  4. Gary Ashby [Nourished by Time remix]
  5. Peanuts [demo]

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Best of Month: The top 25 songs of the year

Hi, it’s me, it’s Claudia, and today I’m going to do something I haven’t done yet. So every year I do the top ten singles of the year, but I don’t actually even listen to singles anymore. Unless I know they’re going to be singles, like on their own, otherwise I feel like they’re spoiling the record for me. This year I thought it’d be fun to broadcast my top twenty-five songs of the year because I do this every year for friends, mainly myself, but now it can be content. So, this won’t be a highly produced blog post and instead be very casual but hopefully you’ll get something out of it. If you’re coming from Reddit read the link below before leaving any comments for me on here or Reddit itself and let’s get started. Also, quick note. Some of these did not come out this year but are on records released this year. In those cases, assume I haven't heard the track till this year. Coming from Reddit? Start here! #25 “Glow in the Dark” by Mothica is from Rocksmith+ but it's also just
Read more

Best of Month; the Top 10 Albums of 2023

Image
2023 has come to a close and it was a lot to unpack. After relocating last year I had to figure out what to do next, admittedly a scarier process than moving itself. I’ve settled in now, changes have gone on, there were a lot of hard times and a lot of great memories made throughout the year. You may have noticed, if you’re a long-time reader, I was far less open about my own personal life in my reviews. If you’re new and this is your first year here, then hey you never knew this part of the blog. In these blurbs there are personal anecdotes, but they are far less revealing. Regardless, thank you for even clicking here. This year for my own writing was possibly the best yet. I reviewed more albums in one year than ever before and worked with ten artists to promote their stuff before the release date. If all the stars align there’s one more thing coming out this year. I hope you had a great year yourself, are having a relaxing holiday season and enjoy this recap of albums. Please suppor
Read more

Best of Month: The final reviews of the year

Image
Best of Month! We wrote so many reviews this year there were a ton leftover. So, to open the year end stuff this year, we're emptying the vault. There are a few pre-requisites for reading this year (but only if you came from Reddit) So look for that below. From Reddit? Start here! Rat Jesu - Prepared to Die (Drixxo Lords) I have been a pretty public cybergrind defender on the timeline, but in all honesty I haven’t dug into the genre on my own time. I’m not sure if you would consider Rat Jesu cybergrind but they’re definitely part of the movement, in fact I came to this record by following this artist from a feature on the newest Blind Equation. As I said above, Prepared to Die isn’t so much cybergrind but it is a neat, quick nu metal record with hyperpop influence. James from Blind Equation does show up as a feature and the song he’s on is a hit regardless of genre. My favorite track on the record, however, has got to be “Priestess of the Godless Valley,” There are two other featur
Read more