Recommended if you like: Pavement, Courtney Barnett, Wet Leg, Laurie Anderson

by Kristi Houk

Dry Cleaning formed in South London in 2017 features vocalist Florence Shaw, guitarist Tom Dowse, bassist Lewis Maynard and drummer Nick Buxton. Their second album, Stumpwork was released in October of this year. At first listen, it’s hard not to compare them to 90’s indie, slacker darlings, Pavement with the band’s lo-fi sound and Shaw’s deadpan vocal stylings. My favorite track off Stumpwork— “No Decent Shoes for Rain” highlights Shaw’s impasssive vocal delivery and wry lyrics: I’ve seen a rat I’ve seen a guy cautioned by police for rollerblading Let’s smoke and drink and get fucked I don’t know Let’s eat pancake Her lyrics are perfectly suited for a smoky (do people smoke in bars anymore?) dive on spoken word night. I’d pay the cover.

Standout tracks: “Anna Calls From the Arctic”, “No Decent Shoes for Rain”, “Don’t Press Me”