{{Infobox album | name = Dry Food | type = studio | artist = [[Palehound]] | cover = Palehound Dry Food album cover small.png | alt = | released = 14 August 2015 | recorded = October 2014 | studio = Rare Book Room, [[Brooklyn]] | genre = | length = 28:37 | label = [[Exploding in Sound]], [[Heavenly Recordings|Heavenly]] | producer = Gabe Wax | next_title = A Place I'll Always Go | next_year = 2017 | misc = {{Singles | name = Dry Food | type = studio | single1 = Molly | single1date = June 2015 }} }}
'''''Dry Food''''' is the debut album by US band [[Palehound]]. It was released on 14 August 2015 on record label [[Exploding in Sound]].
==Background and release== Ellen Kempner released their debut EP as Palehound in October 2013 on Exploding In Sound.{{r|bentnail}} After its release Kempner dropped out of [[Sarah Lawrence College]], went through a break-up, and moved from [[New York City|New York]] to [[Boston]], during which time they wrote the songs for ''Dry Food''.{{r|stereogum|diy2}}
''Dry Food'' was recorded in October 2014.{{r|diy2}} Kempner wrote all the musical arrangements, and played all instrumental parts except the drums.{{r|diy2}} Lead single "Molly" was released in June 2015, and ''[[Stereogum]]'' noted a similarity to the sound of Kempner's roommate [[Sadie Dupuis]] of [[Speedy Ortiz]].{{r|molly}} In 2016 [[Heavenly Recordings]] re-released the single as a 7", with a cover of [[Kelly Clarkson]]'s [[Miss Independent (Kelly Clarkson song)|Miss Independent]] as the [[B-side]].{{r|kelly}}
The album was released in the US on 14 August 2015 via Exploding In Sound, and in the UK on 4 March 2016 via Heavenly.{{r|line1|line2}} In February and March 2016 Palehound toured the UK and Europe to support the album.{{r|line3}}
== Music ==
=== Musical style and instrumentation === Art Tavana of ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste Magazine]]'' explained: "Ellen Kempner’s guitar prowess is Palehound’s staff of light, a six-stringed burning [[ember]] that guides you through her fractured song structures and Complex [[Dynamics (music)|dynamics]] keep the tracks from blending together into a giant collage. [...] The only constants are Kempner’s guitar and [[whispering]] vocals, which draw you into her dark world on tracks like 'Molly,' where her [[counter-melody]] guitar riff gets attacked by fuzzed-out [[Power chord|power chords]]. Kempner’s soft vocals puncture the heart with earnestness on tracks like 'Dry Food' and create distance with the [[Reverberation|reverb]]-soaked 'Cinnamon,' where her voice interweaves masterfully with gently [[Strum|strummed]] chords."<ref name=":0" /> Timothy Monger of [[AllMusic]] said "the album's dryly textured production borders on [[Lo-fi music|lo-fi]]." Monger also said: "Even when tackling what at first seems like more straightforward [[indie pop]] on 'Cinnamon,' Kempner suddenly changes [[Time signature|time signatures]] and introduces subtle [[Psychedelic music|psychedelic]] elements that keep everything slightly off-kilter."<ref>{{Citation |title=Dry Food - Palehound {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/dry-food-mw0002886954 |access-date=2025-06-09 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Lyrical themes === The album is described as a "doleful take on [[Coming of age|coming-of-age]]" and "an eight-song exploration of Kempner’s mental inner space during the period of 2013 and ‘14." According to Tavana: "''Dry Food'' bleeds with emotional truth through a thorny lineage to [[Kurt Cobain]]-esque [[Dissociation (psychology)|dissociation]] and [[Psychological pain|mental anguish]]—which is why it was written in [[Seclusion|isolation]], with Kempner playing all the parts except for drums. ''Dry Food'' seems possessed by the ghost of [[Elliott Smith]]—there are painful reminders all over this record of what it feels like to be [[Torture|tortured]], [[Loneliness|lonely]], [[Abuse|abused]] and directionless—which can be exhausting through eight sugar-free songs. Most of Kempner’s lyrics aren’t easy to decipher, either, but combined with nuanced minor [[Modulation (music)|key changes]], and juxtaposed with her childlike [[falsetto]], they remind you of the dark-twinkle in the eyes of [[Sylvia Plath]], where nothing is as it seems.''"''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The 100 Best Indie Folk Albums of All Time |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-albums/indie-folk-albums |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Artwork == The album's cover artwork is composed of "colorful [[Travel magazine|travel-magazine]] cutouts."<ref name=":0" />
==Critical reception== {{Album ratings | ADM = 7.4/10{{r|adm}} | MC = 78/100{{r|metacritic}} | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}{{r|allmusic}} | rev2 = ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' | rev2score = B{{r|cos}} | rev3 = ''[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]'' | rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}{{r|diy}} | rev4 = ''[[Loud and Quiet]]'' | rev4score = 7/10{{r|loud}} | rev5 = ''[[MusicOMH]]'' | rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}{{r|omh}} | rev6 = ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' | rev6score = 7.8/10{{r|paste}} | rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | rev7score = 8.0/10{{r|pitchfork}} | rev8 = ''[[Record Collector]]'' | rev8score = {{rating|4|5}}{{r|rcm}} | rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' | rev9score = {{rating|4|5}}{{r|rs}} | rev10 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' | rev10score = 7/10{{r|spin}} }} On review aggregator [[Metacritic]] the album holds a score of 78/100, based on 11 reviews, indicating a "generally favorable" reception.{{r|metacritic}}
Mike Katzif of [[NPR]] praised Kempner's skill as a guitarist, and wrote that "''Dry Food'' is the sound of Ellen Kempner coming into her own musically."{{r|npr}} Will Hermes of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote that Kempner "plays the hell out of a guitar",{{r|rs}} and James Reed of the ''[[Boston Globe]]'' also praised their "guitar prowess."{{r|boston}}
==Track listing== All songs written by Ellen Kempner. {{Track listing | total_length = 28:37 | title1 = Molly | length1 = 02:52 | title2 = Healthier Folk | length2 = 03:11 | title3 = Easy | length3 = 03:17 | title4 = Cinnamon | length4 = 03:34 | title5 = Dry Food | length5 = 04:28 | title6 = Dixie | length6 = 03:29 | title7 = Cushioned Caging | length7 = 03:05 | title8 = Seekonk | length8 = 04:41 }}
==Personnel== *Ellen Kempner – guitar, bass, vocals, writing, arrangements *Jesse Weiss – drums <small>(tracks 1, 7, 8)</small> *Max Almario – drums <small>(tracks 4, 5)</small> *Max Kupperberg – drums <small>(tracks 2, 3, 4)</small> *Sam Owens – keyboards <small>(tracks 2, 5)</small> '''Technical''' *Gabe Wax – production *[[Heba Kadry]] – mastering '''Artistic''' *Ellen Kempner – artwork *Caitlin Bechdel – layout
==References== <references>
<ref name=adm>{{citation|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/7438/Palehound-Dry-Food.aspx|title=Palehound Dry Food|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|website=anydecentmusic.com|access-date=2024-05-01}}</ref>
<ref name=metacritic>{{citation|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/dry-food/palehound|title=Dry Food by Palehound|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|website=metacritic.com|access-date=2024-05-01}}</ref>
<ref name=allmusic>{{allmusic|id=dry-food-mw0002886954}}</ref>
<ref name=cos>{{citation|url=https://consequence.net/2015/08/album-review-palehound-dry-food/|title=Album Review: Palehound – Dry Food|publisher=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]|website=consequence.net|author= Adam Kivel|date=2015-08-11|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609022053/https://consequence.net/2015/08/album-review-palehound-dry-food/|archive-date=2023-06-09}}</ref>
<ref name=diy>{{citation|url=https://diymag.com/review/album/palehound-dry-food-album-review|title=Album Review Palehound - Dry Food|publisher=[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]|website=diymag.com|author=Jessica Goodman|date=2016-03-04|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501132446/https://diymag.com/review/album/palehound-dry-food-album-review|archive-date=2024-05-01}}</ref>
<ref name=omh>{{citation|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/palehound-dry-food|title=Palehound – Dry Food|publisher=[[MusicOMH]]|website=musicomh.com|author=Sam Shepherd|date=2016-03-07|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406152707/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/palehound-dry-food|archive-date=2016-04-06}}</ref>
<ref name=paste>{{citation|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/palehound/palehound-dry-food-review|title=Palehound: Dry Food|publisher=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|website=pastemagazine.com|author=Art Tavana|date=2015-08-15|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202190020/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/palehound/palehound-dry-food-review/|archive-date=2022-12-02}}</ref>
<ref name=pitchfork>{{citation|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20869-dry-food/|title=Dry Food (review)|publisher=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|website=pitchfork.com|author=Laura Snapes|date=2015-08-17|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818235704/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20869-dry-food/|archive-date=2015-08-18}}</ref>
<ref name=rcm>{{citation|url=https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/album/dry-food|title=Dry Food (review)|publisher=[[Record Collector]]|website=recordcollectormag.com|author=Mischa Pearlman|date=2016-02-24|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501133305/https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/album/dry-food|archive-date=2024-05-01}}</ref>
<ref name=rs>{{citation|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/dry-food-187428/|title=Dry Food (review)|publisher=[[Rolling Stone]]|website=rollingstone.com|author=Will Hermes|date=2015-08-14|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822183700/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/dry-food-187428/|archive-date=2023-08-22}}</ref>
<ref name=spin>{{citation|url=https://www.spin.com/2015/08/review-palehound-dry-food/|title=Review: Palehound Ties Indie Rock in Knots on ‘Dry Food’ |publisher=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|website=spin.com|author=Colin Joyce|date=2015-08-10|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812234600/https://www.spin.com/2015/08/review-palehound-dry-food/|archive-date=2015-08-12}}</ref>
<ref name=line1>{{citation|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/discovery/palehound-stream-debut-album-online|title=Palehound stream debut album Dry Food in full|publisher=[[The Line of Best Fit]]|website=thelineofbestfit.com|author=Jessica Goodman|date=2015-08-07|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418112050/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/discovery/palehound-stream-debut-album-online|archive-date=2024-04-18}}</ref>
<ref name=line2>{{citation|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/palehound-sign-to-heavenly-for-uk-release-of-debut-lp-dry-food|title=Palehound sign to Heavenly for UK release of debut LP Dry Food|publisher=[[The Line of Best Fit]]|website=thelineofbestfit.com|author=Laurence Day|date=2015-11-16|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418111710/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/palehound-sign-to-heavenly-for-uk-release-of-debut-lp-dry-food|archive-date=2024-04-18}}</ref>
<ref name=line3>{{citation|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/palehound-announce-uk-eu-tour-dates|title=Palehound announce UK/EU tour dates|publisher=[[The Line of Best Fit]]|website=thelineofbestfit.com|author=Jessica Goodman|date=2016-01-08|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419114432/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/palehound-announce-uk-eu-tour-dates|archive-date=2016-04-19}}</ref>
<ref name=bentnail>{{citation|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1522001/stream-palehound-bent-nail-ep-stereogum-premiere/news/|title=Stream Palehound Bent Nail EP (Stereogum Premiere)|publisher=[[Stereogum]]|website=stereogum.com|author=Claire Lobenfeld|date=2013-10-15|access-date=2024-05-01}}</ref>
<ref name=stereogum>{{citation|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1822073/stream-palehound-dry-food/news/|title=Stream Palehound ''Dry Food''|publisher=[[Stereogum]]|website=stereogum.com|author=Caitlin White|date=2015-08-06|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207232607/https://www.stereogum.com/1822073/stream-palehound-dry-food/news/|archive-date=2023-12-07}}</ref>
<ref name=diy2>{{citation|url=https://diymag.com/interview/palehound-interview-dry-food|title=Interview: Palehound talk debut album 'Dry Food' and its "portrait of insecurity"|publisher=[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]|website=diymag.com|author=Jessica Goodman|date=2016-03-03|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501151120/https://diymag.com/interview/palehound-interview-dry-food|archive-date=2024-05-01}}</ref>
<ref name=molly>{{citation|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1809536/palehound-molly-stereogum-premiere/news/|title=Palehound – "Molly" (Stereogum Premiere)|publisher=[[Stereogum]]|website=stereogum.com|author=James Rettig|date=2015-06-18|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205163722/https://www.stereogum.com/1809536/palehound-molly-stereogum-premiere/news/|archive-date=2023-12-05}}</ref>
<ref name=kelly>{{citation|url=https://heavenlyemporium.com/release/191723-palehound-molly|title=Molly on the Heavenly Recordings webstore|publisher=[[Heavenly Recordings]]|website=heavenlyemporium.com|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501143155/https://heavenlyemporium.com/release/191723-palehound-molly|archive-date=2024-05-01}}</ref>
<ref name=loud>{{citation|url=https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/palehound-dry-food/|title=Dry Food (review)|publisher=[[Loud and Quiet]]|website=loudandquiet.com|author=Joe Goggins|date=2016-03-01|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415154606/https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/palehound-dry-food/|archive-date=2017-04-15}}</ref>
<ref name=npr>{{citation|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/08/05/429329496/first-listen-palehound-dry-food|title=Review: Palehound, 'Dry Food'|publisher=[[NPR]]|website=npr.org|author=Mike Katzif|date=2015-08-05|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807023521/https://www.npr.org/2015/08/05/429329496/first-listen-palehound-dry-food|archive-date=2015-08-07}}</ref>
<ref name=boston>{{citation|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/08/13/album-review-palehound-dry-food/xxae1Ggao9XF1s52FMGzlN/story.html|title=Album review: Palehound, 'Dry Food'|publisher=[[The Boston Globe]]|website=bostonglobe.com|author=James Reed|date=2015-08-13|access-date=2024-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814175251/https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/08/13/album-review-palehound-dry-food/xxae1Ggao9XF1s52FMGzlN/story.html|archive-date=2015-08-14}}</ref>
</references>
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[[Category:2015 debut albums]] [[Category:Exploding in Sound albums]] [[Category:Heavenly Recordings albums]]