Wet Leg come close to repeating history with a second splendid album, bringing more layers into their music and that same, raw, unpredictable energy.
The lore of Wet Leg began as a stupid name and good music. It continues the same way, with the band capturing the groove of a generation flowing in the slime of brain rot. Somewhere and somehow, their energy, lyricism and live performances have clicked with more than 3.5 million listeners on Spotify since their self-titled debut album in 2022. They’re “so back” now, like they said on their social media with their second full length album. It’s a ride, I tell you. This one is called moisturizer.
When they got sudden popularity with Chaise Longue as their first single release, I wondered what the hype was about. Here was just a weird version of boygenius, not really delving into emotions, but on riding the rollercoaster of escapism. Every once in a while, they revelled in being real and dropping you into the existentialism pool. Their unpredictability, electric live performances and music became the hallmark of identifying their music. Add some buzzing instruments, and you have a show in front of you that you won’t forget.
Here was just a weird version of boygenius, not really delving into emotions, but on riding the rollercoaster of escapism.
No wonder Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl dropped by for their Coachella performance in 2023. For Ur Mom, Dave was seated at the drum throne to give some extra raw punch to the performance. There’s no doubt the band from the Isle of Wight knows how to ruffle feathers the way they’re supposed to be. There’s that White Stripes garage rock kind of energy still coursing through their goofy veins.
The kind of album you deserve
That’s why we get to the opening single of the album, called CPR. With a catchy bass line, they bring a song that you can groove to-and begin the moisturization process with. Vocals will always add that dramatic flair to their tune-while layered psychedelic layers bring a melodic pastry for you to experience. As per their typical nature, liquidize brings an acoustic opening while charging up like Frank Black of The Pixies. Rhian Teasdale has another level of control on her vocals, designing the structure of the vocals with some special zhuzh. One thing is sure about Wet Leg, their core melody is definitely something you can sing along to-and something you’ll remember for weeks together. Layer 2 of moisturizer seems to be working well.
Rhian Teasdale has another level of control on her vocals, designing the structure of the vocals with some special zhuzh.
A definite favourite song of mine will be catch these fists. From the lead melody that carries the song to the chorus energy, there’s everything in this song that can help you catch the buzz. You’re punch drunk in love, probably because there are fists flying at you.
Vibe shift #1, courtesy Wet Leg
Keeping the joyous quick tempo does wonders for this band. This is where they find a niche that is truly theirs. Some tracks might be mellow, some thoughtful, horny, sad and angry-but it’s all Wet Leg. It’s impossible to find yourself bored with a band that is effortlessly different because of their approach to writing music.
That’s why when you move to jennifer’s body, you experience their genius in writing lyrics. It’s either observations or slice of life moments. Innate desires, or something quirky that makes them laugh. The band is unapologetically themselves, while making sure every bit of visualisation tells you how strange they are. In this, they find strength.
Maybe being creative is embracing who you were anyway going to become. Their special edition vinyl has moisturizer filled within the casing, and it looks quite gross to be honest. Apart from a technical perspective of questions-a band is being recognised by all the aesthetics they embrace. That’s some good stuff, especially in this time and age.
It’s either observations or slice of life moments. Innate desires, or something quirky that makes them laugh.
Be side, something to experience
Another great riff on the album is the one on mangetout. Having that post punk atmosphere, there is a standard down strum that unifies the song into one tightly wrapped present. Thrilling and flowing well with the theme of the album, Wet Leg is making their mark just outside the indie space, just after signing with Domino Records. From a 2-piece band in 2022, they have become a 5 piece one, officially inducting long time touring members Henry Holmes, Josh Mobaraki and Ellis Durand.
While I write this review, the band have changed the image on their Spotify bio from the crazy “i love music!!!!!!!” image to a template of the Black Keys album “Brothers”. The electric theme is much stronger on this album than their opening, and Wet Leg seem to have really got their footing on the kind of genre they’re comfortable playing. No pun intended, seriously.
The soothing bedroom pop of pokémon and songs that come in that serious have a relaxing, soothing reversal on the raucous energy that the band put into the other songs. Yet with pillow talk, they go harder and darker on a riff than ever before, making that surf on the rebellious soundwaves that they have rendered for themselves.
In how they close the album is where they reflect the never satiated passion of a person with music. Emotional and easygoing, they contrast what might be their “comfortable tempo”. With a return to music after 3 years, they get thunder in a bottle, because they were never going for lightning:
…Wet Leg seem to have really got their footing on the kind of genre they’re comfortable playing. No pun intended, seriously.
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