"Dry" was originally teased on social media platform TikTok, where Rancid Eddie uploaded a video of them performing an acoustic version of the song.

[1] The song "[touches] on the narrative of a relationship losing its spark" and "sweeps in with a misty cloud of hazy guitar chords and impassioned vocals dripping in a restrained, Aussie accent.

"[2] The Michigan Daily's Ryan Brave was neutral in his review of "Dry", feeling the song wasn't "as anthemic" as the early version of it circulating on social media, adding that it "builds into its climax much less organically than the original."

[1] Labelling it a "brazen, blunt single", Joe Beer of Ones to Watch called the song a "woozy, gritty release", and likened it that of the Strokes and Australian rock band Sticky Fingers.

"[4] Writing for Earmilk, Chloe Robinson felt the song's "cheerful backdrop [was] juxtaposed" with its message, adding that the listener will "instantly get those feel-good vibes".