Scratchcard Lanyard

Dry Cleaning's 'Scratchcard Lanyard' is a fascinating exploration of the absurdity and monotony of modern life. The song's lyrics, delivered in a deadpan spoken-word style by lead vocalist Florence Shaw, paint a picture of a world where mundane activities and existential reflections collide. The recurring theme of 'do everything and feel nothing' encapsulates a sense of disconnection and emotional numbness that many people experience in their daily routines.

The song is filled with surreal and seemingly random imagery, such as 'a woman in aviators firing a bazooka' and 'I've come here to make a ceramic shoe.' These lines serve to highlight the absurdity and randomness of life, suggesting that our attempts to find meaning or purpose can often feel futile or ridiculous. The mention of various global cities like Tokyo, Oslo, and Rio de Janeiro as 'bouncy balls' further emphasizes the idea of a world that is both vast and trivial, where significant places are reduced to mere playthings.

Cultural references like 'wristband, theme park, scratch card, lanyard' evoke the consumerist and superficial aspects of contemporary society. These items are symbols of fleeting pleasures and distractions that fail to provide lasting fulfillment. The song's narrative voice, with its mix of humor and melancholy, captures the paradox of modern existence: the more we try to do and experience, the less we seem to feel. This poignant observation is a reflection on the emptiness that can accompany a life filled with constant activity but lacking in genuine emotional connection.