Wet Leg is Back in New Album “Moisturizer”
Wet Leg is an indie band from the Isle of Wight, England. They released their first album in 2022 with “Chaise Lounge” being the lead single. They also toured with Harry Styles in the Oceanic leg of his Love On Tour. They rose in prominence after the release of their first single and have continued to build momentum.
Moisturizer feels different from their first album. They have grown as a band since their debut, both as individuals and musically. This is an album full of love songs. I feel like we haven’t had a mainstream band just writing about being in love in a while. It feels like most albums about a relationship include some fight or breakup, and songs about feeling lonely. This is not the case here. All the songs are about being in love and the happiness that comes with it.
The album starts with a classic Wet Leg indie rock vibe in “CPR”. This feels just like a song off their debut album. The instrumentation is fun, the vocals are amazing, and the lyrics are great. My favorite part is when the singer says, “You give me the chills,” followed by a ghost noise. It’s just a ton of fun. The next track, “liquidize”, follows this love song theme. The singer is in love and feels lucky just to be with this person. Musically, it’s a fun track with guitars, synth, and vocals.
image via Instagram
“catch these fists” is a departure from the original love song theme. It’s a fun song all about having a row with someone. The singer is upset and wants to fight. “I don’t want your love / I just want to fight”. This is a song that will definitely be on my summer rotation. It’s a fun vibe and feels punk.
We then keep on with the love songs in “davina mccall” and “jennifer’s body”. One thing about this album is that it is full of references. I absolutely love it! If you’re familiar with Joey Valence & Brae, this is like the indie equivalent with references. “jennifer’s body” of course, makes reference to the movie with the same name. Just like the film, it’s campy and sexy.
The other departure from the love theme is on “magetout”. It tells the story of our singer being really pissed off. They just want to go to the club with their friends and meet a man hitting on them. “Nice try, get out of the way / You’re in the way, get lost forever”. Also, it includes a Tame Impala reference, which is iconic.
The latter half of the album continues with each song continuing this theme. The standout tunes for me are “pokemon”, “pillow talk”, and “u and me at home”. All of these tracks are upbeat and full of love for their partner. “pokemon” feels reminiscent of “Kyoto” by Phoebe Bridgers, but far happier. “pillow talk” is the hardest track of the album in terms of instrumentation. It’s sexy, it’s fast, and just like the singer likes it. Finally, the album ends with “u and me at home”. I absolutely adore this song. It’s the perfect album closer with all the sweetness and happiness the album discusses. I could see this being in a coming-of-age movie sometime soon.
If you’re new to Wet Leg, Moisturizer is a great place to start! It feels more put together than their first album, while heading the band in a new direction. Lead singer, Rhian Teasdale, absolutely kills it with the vocals. I am so impressed with the range she pulls off. These songs will definitely be in my summer playlist. If you enjoy bands like Men I Trust or even Amyl and the Sniffers, you will love this album.
