# Dry Food

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2015 studio album by Palehound

Dry Food Studio album by Palehound Released 14 August 2015 Recorded October 2014 Studio Rare Book Room, Brooklyn Length 28:37 Label Exploding in Sound, Heavenly Producer Gabe Wax Palehound chronology Dry Food (2015) A Place I'll Always Go (2017) Singles from Dry Food "Molly" Released: June 2015

***Dry Food*** is the debut album by US band [Palehound](/source/Palehound). It was released on 14 August 2015 on record label [Exploding in Sound](/source/Exploding_in_Sound).

## Background and release

Ellen Kempner released their debut EP as Palehound in October 2013 on Exploding In Sound.[1] After its release Kempner dropped out of [Sarah Lawrence College](/source/Sarah_Lawrence_College), went through a break-up, and moved from [New York](/source/New_York_City) to [Boston](/source/Boston), during which time they wrote the songs for *Dry Food*.[2][3]

*Dry Food* was recorded in October 2014.[3] Kempner wrote all the musical arrangements, and played all instrumental parts except the drums.[3] Lead single "Molly" was released in June 2015, and *[Stereogum](/source/Stereogum)* noted a similarity to the sound of Kempner's roommate [Sadie Dupuis](/source/Sadie_Dupuis) of [Speedy Ortiz](/source/Speedy_Ortiz).[4] In 2016 [Heavenly Recordings](/source/Heavenly_Recordings) re-released the single as a 7", with a cover of [Kelly Clarkson](/source/Kelly_Clarkson)'s [Miss Independent](/source/Miss_Independent_(Kelly_Clarkson_song)) as the [B-side](/source/B-side).[5]

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.[6][7] In February and March 2016 Palehound toured the UK and Europe to support the album.[8]

## Music

### Musical style and instrumentation

Art Tavana of *[Paste Magazine](/source/Paste_(magazine))* explained: "Ellen Kempner’s guitar prowess is Palehound’s staff of light, a six-stringed burning [ember](/source/Ember) that guides you through her fractured song structures and Complex [dynamics](/source/Dynamics_(music)) keep the tracks from blending together into a giant collage. [...] The only constants are Kempner’s guitar and [whispering](/source/Whispering) vocals, which draw you into her dark world on tracks like 'Molly,' where her [counter-melody](/source/Counter-melody) guitar riff gets attacked by fuzzed-out [power chords](/source/Power_chord). Kempner’s soft vocals puncture the heart with earnestness on tracks like 'Dry Food' and create distance with the [reverb](/source/Reverberation)-soaked 'Cinnamon,' where her voice interweaves masterfully with gently [strummed](/source/Strum) chords."[9] Timothy Monger of [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) said "the album's dryly textured production borders on [lo-fi](/source/Lo-fi_music)." Monger also said: "Even when tackling what at first seems like more straightforward [indie pop](/source/Indie_pop) on 'Cinnamon,' Kempner suddenly changes [time signatures](/source/Time_signature) and introduces subtle [psychedelic](/source/Psychedelic_music) elements that keep everything slightly off-kilter."[10]

### Lyrical themes

The album is described as a "doleful take on [coming-of-age](/source/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](/source/Kurt_Cobain)-esque [dissociation](/source/Dissociation_(psychology)) and [mental anguish](/source/Psychological_pain)—which is why it was written in [isolation](/source/Seclusion), with Kempner playing all the parts except for drums. *Dry Food* seems possessed by the ghost of [Elliott Smith](/source/Elliott_Smith)—there are painful reminders all over this record of what it feels like to be [tortured](/source/Torture), [lonely](/source/Loneliness), [abused](/source/Abuse) 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 [key changes](/source/Modulation_(music)), and juxtaposed with her childlike [falsetto](/source/Falsetto), they remind you of the dark-twinkle in the eyes of [Sylvia Plath](/source/Sylvia_Plath), where nothing is as it seems.*"*[9]

## Artwork

The album's cover artwork is composed of "colorful [travel-magazine](/source/Travel_magazine) cutouts."[9]

## Critical reception

Professional ratings Aggregate scores Source Rating AnyDecentMusic? 7.4/10[11] Metacritic 78/100[12] Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [13] Consequence B[14] DIY [15] Loud and Quiet 7/10[16] MusicOMH [17] Paste 7.8/10[18] Pitchfork 8.0/10[19] Record Collector [20] Rolling Stone [21] Spin 7/10[22]

On review aggregator [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) the album holds a score of 78/100, based on 11 reviews, indicating a "generally favorable" reception.[12]

Mike Katzif of [NPR](/source/NPR) praised Kempner's skill as a guitarist, and wrote that "*Dry Food* is the sound of Ellen Kempner coming into her own musically."[23] Will Hermes of *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)* wrote that Kempner "plays the hell out of a guitar",[21] and James Reed of the *[Boston Globe](/source/Boston_Globe)* also praised their "guitar prowess."[24]

## Track listing

All songs written by Ellen Kempner.

No. Title Length 1. "Molly" 02:52 2. "Healthier Folk" 03:11 3. "Easy" 03:17 4. "Cinnamon" 03:34 5. "Dry Food" 04:28 6. "Dixie" 03:29 7. "Cushioned Caging" 03:05 8. "Seekonk" 04:41 Total length: 28:37

## Personnel

- Ellen Kempner – guitar, bass, vocals, writing, arrangements

- Jesse Weiss – drums (tracks 1, 7, 8)

- Max Almario – drums (tracks 4, 5)

- Max Kupperberg – drums (tracks 2, 3, 4)

- Sam Owens – keyboards (tracks 2, 5)

**Technical**

- Gabe Wax – production

- [Heba Kadry](/source/Heba_Kadry) – mastering

**Artistic**

- Ellen Kempner – artwork

- Caitlin Bechdel – layout

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bentnail_1-0)** Claire Lobenfeld (2013-10-15), ["Stream Palehound Bent Nail EP (Stereogum Premiere)"](https://www.stereogum.com/1522001/stream-palehound-bent-nail-ep-stereogum-premiere/news/), *stereogum.com*, [Stereogum](/source/Stereogum), retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-stereogum_2-0)** Caitlin White (2015-08-06), ["Stream Palehound *Dry Food*"](https://www.stereogum.com/1822073/stream-palehound-dry-food/news/), *stereogum.com*, [Stereogum](/source/Stereogum), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231207232607/https://www.stereogum.com/1822073/stream-palehound-dry-food/news/) from the original on 2023-12-07, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-diy2_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-diy2_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-diy2_3-2) Jessica Goodman (2016-03-03), ["Interview: Palehound talk debut album 'Dry Food' and its "portrait of insecurity""](https://diymag.com/interview/palehound-interview-dry-food), *diymag.com*, [DIY](/source/DIY_(magazine)), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240501151120/https://diymag.com/interview/palehound-interview-dry-food) from the original on 2024-05-01, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-molly_4-0)** James Rettig (2015-06-18), ["Palehound – "Molly" (Stereogum Premiere)"](https://www.stereogum.com/1809536/palehound-molly-stereogum-premiere/news/), *stereogum.com*, [Stereogum](/source/Stereogum), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231205163722/https://www.stereogum.com/1809536/palehound-molly-stereogum-premiere/news/) from the original on 2023-12-05, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-kelly_5-0)** ["Molly on the Heavenly Recordings webstore"](https://heavenlyemporium.com/release/191723-palehound-molly), *heavenlyemporium.com*, [Heavenly Recordings](/source/Heavenly_Recordings), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240501143155/https://heavenlyemporium.com/release/191723-palehound-molly) from the original on 2024-05-01, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-line1_6-0)** Jessica Goodman (2015-08-07), ["Palehound stream debut album Dry Food in full"](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/discovery/palehound-stream-debut-album-online), *thelineofbestfit.com*, [The Line of Best Fit](/source/The_Line_of_Best_Fit), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240418112050/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/discovery/palehound-stream-debut-album-online) from the original on 2024-04-18, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-line2_7-0)** Laurence Day (2015-11-16), ["Palehound sign to Heavenly for UK release of debut LP Dry Food"](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/palehound-sign-to-heavenly-for-uk-release-of-debut-lp-dry-food), *thelineofbestfit.com*, [The Line of Best Fit](/source/The_Line_of_Best_Fit), [archived](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) from the original on 2024-04-18, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-line3_8-0)** Jessica Goodman (2016-01-08), ["Palehound announce UK/EU tour dates"](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/palehound-announce-uk-eu-tour-dates), *thelineofbestfit.com*, [The Line of Best Fit](/source/The_Line_of_Best_Fit), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160419114432/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/palehound-announce-uk-eu-tour-dates) from the original on 2016-04-19, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_9-2) ["The 100 Best Indie Folk Albums of All Time"](https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-albums/indie-folk-albums). *Paste Magazine*. Retrieved 2025-06-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [*Dry Food - Palehound | Album | AllMusic*](https://www.allmusic.com/album/dry-food-mw0002886954), retrieved 2025-06-09

1. **[^](#cite_ref-adm_11-0)** ["Palehound Dry Food"](http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/7438/Palehound-Dry-Food.aspx), *anydecentmusic.com*, AnyDecentMusic?, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-metacritic_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-metacritic_12-1) ["Dry Food by Palehound"](https://www.metacritic.com/music/dry-food/palehound), *metacritic.com*, [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic), retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-allmusic_13-0)** [Dry Food](https://www.allmusic.com/album/dry-food-mw0002886954) at [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic_(identifier))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cos_14-0)** Adam Kivel (2015-08-11), ["Album Review: Palehound – Dry Food"](https://consequence.net/2015/08/album-review-palehound-dry-food/), *consequence.net*, [Consequence](/source/Consequence_(publication)), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230609022053/https://consequence.net/2015/08/album-review-palehound-dry-food/) from the original on 2023-06-09, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-diy_15-0)** Jessica Goodman (2016-03-04), ["Album Review Palehound - Dry Food"](https://diymag.com/review/album/palehound-dry-food-album-review), *diymag.com*, [DIY](/source/DIY_(magazine)), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240501132446/https://diymag.com/review/album/palehound-dry-food-album-review) from the original on 2024-05-01, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-loud_16-0)** Joe Goggins (2016-03-01), ["Dry Food (review)"](https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/palehound-dry-food/), *loudandquiet.com*, [Loud and Quiet](/source/Loud_and_Quiet), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170415154606/https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/palehound-dry-food/) from the original on 2017-04-15, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-omh_17-0)** Sam Shepherd (2016-03-07), ["Palehound – Dry Food"](https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/palehound-dry-food), *musicomh.com*, [MusicOMH](/source/MusicOMH), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160406152707/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/palehound-dry-food) from the original on 2016-04-06, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-paste_18-0)** Art Tavana (2015-08-15), ["Palehound: Dry Food"](https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/palehound/palehound-dry-food-review), *pastemagazine.com*, [Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine)), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221202190020/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/palehound/palehound-dry-food-review/) from the original on 2022-12-02, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-pitchfork_19-0)** Laura Snapes (2015-08-17), ["Dry Food (review)"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20869-dry-food/), *pitchfork.com*, [Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website)), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150818235704/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20869-dry-food/) from the original on 2015-08-18, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rcm_20-0)** Mischa Pearlman (2016-02-24), ["Dry Food (review)"](https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/album/dry-food), *recordcollectormag.com*, [Record Collector](/source/Record_Collector), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240501133305/https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/album/dry-food) from the original on 2024-05-01, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-rs_21-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-rs_21-1) Will Hermes (2015-08-14), ["Dry Food (review)"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/dry-food-187428/), *rollingstone.com*, [Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230822183700/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/dry-food-187428/) from the original on 2023-08-22, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-spin_22-0)** Colin Joyce (2015-08-10), ["Review: Palehound Ties Indie Rock in Knots on 'Dry Food'"](https://www.spin.com/2015/08/review-palehound-dry-food/), *spin.com*, [Spin](/source/Spin_(magazine)), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150812234600/https://www.spin.com/2015/08/review-palehound-dry-food/) from the original on 2015-08-12, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-npr_23-0)** Mike Katzif (2015-08-05), ["Review: Palehound, 'Dry Food'"](https://www.npr.org/2015/08/05/429329496/first-listen-palehound-dry-food), *npr.org*, [NPR](/source/NPR), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150807023521/https://www.npr.org/2015/08/05/429329496/first-listen-palehound-dry-food) from the original on 2015-08-07, retrieved 2024-05-01

1. **[^](#cite_ref-boston_24-0)** James Reed (2015-08-13), ["Album review: Palehound, 'Dry Food'"](https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/08/13/album-review-palehound-dry-food/xxae1Ggao9XF1s52FMGzlN/story.html), *bostonglobe.com*, [The Boston Globe](/source/The_Boston_Globe), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150814175251/https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/08/13/album-review-palehound-dry-food/xxae1Ggao9XF1s52FMGzlN/story.html) from the original on 2015-08-14, retrieved 2024-05-01

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dry Food](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_Food) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_Food?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.