Dry Cleaning released “Cruise Ship Designer”, the second single from their upcoming album Secret Love, which came out on January 9, 2026. The track followed their debut single “Hit My Head All Day”
“Cruise Ship Designer” is a classic Dry Cleaning pop song, told from the perspective of a cruise ship entrepreneur who, despite being competent and well-paid, believed his work had little real value. The track became an anthem for carefree ambition, echoing the spirit of XTC’s “Making Plans for Nigel.” Singer and lyricist Florence Shaw explained that the song depicted a professional trying to enjoy his work while navigating the challenges and illusions of his role.
Secret Love reflected the deep friendship among Florence Shaw, guitarist Tom Dowse, drummer Nick Buxton, and bassist Lewis Maynard, the members of Dry Cleaning. The album blended avant-garde rock with Reagan-era American punk paranoia, stoner rock, dystopian textures, no wave, and pastoral fingerpicking, while Florence’s voice, carefully attuned to her bandmates’ soundscapes, recalled spoken word artists from Laurie Anderson to Sue Tompkins of Life Without Buildings. Recorded across studios in Peckham, Chicago, Dublin, and the Loire Valley with producers including Cate Le Bon, the album showcased the band’s vitality, energy, and collaborative spirit.
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