Dry Cleaning – Cruise Ship Designer
Dry Cleaning’s “Cruise Ship Designer” tells the story of someone trapped in work they don’t believe matters. The protagonist designs cruise ships and hotels, earns a good income, stays busy with challenges, but can’t shake the feeling that none of it holds real worth. Florence Shaw sings about someone trying to convince themselves their work serves a valuable purpose, even as they admit they don’t personally like what they’re creating.
The band cites XTC’s “Making Plans For Nigel” as inspiration, and you can hear it in the way the song balances perky rhythms against existential doubt. The music video features bassist Lewis Maynard performing a dance routine choreographed by Bullyache, all sparkly leggings and silver curtains. It’s absurd in the right way.
“Cruise Ship Designer” is the second single from “Secret Love”, Dry Cleaning’s third album dropping January 9 on 4AD. They recorded at three different locations: Jeff Tweedy’s Loft in Chicago, Sonic Studios in Dublin with Gilla Band’s Alan Duggan and Daniel Fox, and finally at Black Box in France’s Loire Valley with producer Cate Le Bon.
“Being in a room with them and hearing that vitality and life force that exists between them all, it’s such a unique expression,” Le Bon says about working with the band.
Shaw, guitarist Tom Dowse, drummer Nick Buxton, and Maynard have been friends for years, and that chemistry shows. Their post-punk sound stays sharp and focused, with Shaw’s spoken-word delivery cutting through without relying on obvious tricks.
They’ve wrapped their recent tour but have major dates lined up for 2026, including their biggest headline shows yet at LA’s Wiltern and London’s O2 Academy Brixton. YHWH Nailgun opens the North American leg.
Tracklist:
- Hit My Head All Day
- Cruise Ship Designer
- My Soul / Half Pint
- Secret Love (Concealed in a Drawing of a Boy)
- Let Me Grow and You’ll See the Fruit
- Blood
- Evil Evil Idiot
- Rocks
- The Cute Things
- I Need You
- Joy
Tour Dates:
Europe:
- January 3, 2026 – Rockaway Beach Festival, Bognor Regis, UK
- January 9, 2026 – Chalk, Brighton, UK
- January 10, 2026 – Rough Trade East, London, UK
- January 13, 2026 – Strange Brew, Bristol, UK
- January 14, 2026 – Brudenell, Leeds, UK
- January 15, 2026 – Metronome, Nottingham, UK
- April 7, 2026 – Festsaal Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
- April 9, 2026 – Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark
- April 10, 2026 – Mojo Club, Hamburg, Germany
- April 11, 2026 – Melkweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- April 13, 2026 – AB Box, Brussels, Belgium
- April 14, 2026 – Le Trianon, Paris, France
- April 17, 2026 – Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland
- April 18, 2026 – Dolan’s, Limerick, Ireland
- April 20, 2026 – Tramshed, Cardiff, UK
- April 21, 2026 – XOYO, Birmingham, UK
- April 22, 2026 – O2 Academy Brixton, London, UK
- April 24, 2026 – SWG3 TV Studio, Glasgow, UK
- April 25, 2026 – New Century Hall, Manchester, UK
North America (with YHWH Nailgun):
- January 23, 2026 – Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL
- January 26, 2026 – Concert Hall, Toronto, Canada
- January 27, 2026 – Le National, Montreal, Canada
- January 29, 2026 – Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn, NY
- January 31, 2026 – Basilica Hudson, Hudson, NY
- February 1, 2026 – Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA
- February 3, 2026 – Black Cat, Washington, DC
- February 4, 2026 – The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
- February 5, 2026 – Basement East, Nashville, TN
- February 6, 2026 – Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
- February 7, 2026 – Saturn, Birmingham, AL
- February 9, 2026 – Texas Theatre, Dallas, TX
- February 10, 2026 – RADIO/EAST, Austin, TX
- February 12, 2026 – Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ
- February 13, 2026 – The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA
- February 15, 2026 – Casbah, San Diego, CA
- February 16, 2026 – Casbah, San Diego, CA
- February 18, 2026 – The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
- February 19, 2026 – Gundlach Bundschu, Sonoma, CA
- February 21, 2026 – Showbox, Seattle, WA
- February 22, 2026 – Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
