“Sit Down Meal” has the hallmarks of another inventive Dry Cleaning post-punk track

10 September 2019, 15:00 | Written by Olivia Swash

(Tracks)

(Dry Cleaning)

After their punk track for royalists on “Magic of Meghan” and a lyrical collage of YouTube comments on last month's “Goodnight”, four-piece Dry Cleaning release “Sit Down Meal” and announce their second EP Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks.

“Sit Down Meal” is a lamentation set in the ruminative moments after being suddenly dumped. In true Dry Cleaning fashion, the South London outfit slants their perspective with excerpts of other people's reflections – this time, the grief is punctuated by trite greetings card verses.

In the same way that seeing happy couples together spikes heartache during a post-breakup low, the track's juxtaposition of celebration and anguish draws on the same bitter feelings, as vocalist Florence Shaw sings “For my husband with love on your birthday” and “Spoil yourself, with love, aunty”.

Over the tension of chugging guitars, the lyrics offer a reflective, emotive train of thought after a swift breakup. “You cling to details, things you did together and reel at their significance,” explains Shaw. “If you smell their perfume on someone else you feel overwhelmed, but immediately and painfully aware of how lightning quick a relationship can evaporate into thin air."

Dry Cleaning's new EP will be compiled together with their first, Sweet Princess, for a 12" vinyl release next month.

“Sit Down Meal” is out today and Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks is out 25 October via It's Ok, available to pre-order now. They play The Lexington on 23 October. Find Dry Cleaning on Facebook.