Every week, 88Nine music director Erin Wolf shares a sonic gem she found using her nearly 20 years of new-music exploration experience. You can hear all her discoveries live on 88Nine at 10 p.m. every Monday on What’s All This: Adventures in New Music.
Dry-humored Grammy-winners Dry Cleaning recently returned with “Hit My Head All Day,” which has been described as “a sharp, deadpan cut that balances wiry guitar textures with Florence Shaw’s coolly detached delivery.” My Reader’s Digest version of that description is: It’s simply delightful.
Per usual, the South London band’s music is pretty understated on the surface, but the sonic undercurrents are packed with little moments that eventually hook you. If you were a spectator of the song’s debut at Dry Cleaning’s recent Cactus Club show, you’ll understand that black hole-like draw of the band. The little things do start to suck you in, especially those strong bass lines, searing guitar solos and metronomic drums.
“Hit My Head All Day” heralds a full album, Secret Love, which will see its release to 4AD Records on Jan. 9. For now, give the single a listen as part of this episode and then swing back around at 10 p.m. every Monday on 88Nine for more What’s All This: Adventures in New Music.
Best new indie music this week
- Chanel Beads, "The Coward Forgets His Nightmare"
- Dry Cleaning, "Hit My Head All Day"
- Tortoise, "Works and Days"
- ANIMA!, "Rest In Peace"
- Lianne La Havas, "Disarray"
- Mei Semones, "Itsumo"
- Orions Belte, "Milk Champagne (OurVinyl Sessions)"
- Molly Nilsson, "Valhalla"
- Pale Blue Eyes, "The Park"
- Phantogram, "Earthshaker"
- Pynch, "How You Love Someone"
- Remember Sports, "How You Love Someone"
