A few songs into the second studio album from buzzy singer Rhian Teasdale yells 鈥渓evel up!鈥� And level up they have. The alt-rock duo-turned-group took their time to complete their sophomore release, titled 鈥淢oisturizer.鈥� It was worth the wait. The album is a terrific soundtrack for a long, hot summer.
Wet Leg emerged from England鈥檚 Isle of Wight in 2021 with the quirky viral hit, 鈥淐haise Longue," which released before they had ever performed live. The song immediately a cheeky track centered on Teasdale鈥檚 deadpan delivery and guitarist Heather Chambers鈥� chunky, jagged bursts. They grew from there, releasing a self-titled debut album in 2022 that rose to the top of the UK charts.
On 鈥淢oisturizer,鈥� the two have greatly expanded their skills and range. But they've also retained the raunchy, goofy energy that gained them an adoring audience.
The new version of Wet Leg is no longer just a duet. Their touring band, bassist Ellis Durand, drummer Henry Holmes and guitarist/synth-player Joshua Mobaraki have formally joined the project and share writing credit on several songs. The expanded band complements Chambers鈥� oddball progressions and facilitates a bigger, more layered sound.
The opening track, 鈥淐PR,鈥� opens with Holmes鈥� drums and Durand鈥檚 funky bassline before the guitars come in. The band can now groove as well as grind. The lyrics capture the silliness and dead seriousness of a bruising crush. Playing the dispatcher, Chambers asks, 鈥淗ello? 999. What鈥檚 your emergency?鈥� Teasdale answers, 鈥淲ell鈥� the thing is鈥� / I鈥� I鈥� I鈥� I鈥� I鈥� / I鈥橫 IN LOVE.鈥�
Across the album, there are plenty of tracks that work to rattle car speakers and dominate summer festival mainstages. On the belligerent single 鈥淐atch These Fists,鈥� Teasdale declares, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want your love / I just wanna fight.鈥� On 鈥淧illow Talk,鈥� Teasdale coos over an industrial metal drone and delivers some of the horniest lyrics in the band鈥檚 notably graphic catalog.
The slower songs show off the band鈥檚 new tools. 鈥淒avina McCall," named after the English television presenter, begins bendy with some oddball chord changes and surprisingly delicate vocals. The slow jam 鈥�11:21鈥� could sit next to on a playlist. 鈥淒on鈥檛 speak,鈥� written and sung by Chambers, channels the bluesy energy and corny-sweet lyrics of
In total, Wet Leg 鈥� now a full band 鈥� has a fuller sound. Fans will be wise to join them on the journey.
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More AP reviews:
Jim Pollock, The Associated Press
