A few songs into the second studio album from buzzy singer Rhian Teasdale yells ālevel up!ā And level up they have. The alt-rock duo-turned-group took their time to complete their sophomore release, titled āMoisturizer.ā It was worth the wait. The album is a terrific soundtrack for a long, hot summer.
Wet Leg emerged from Englandās Isle of Wight in 2021 with the quirky viral hit, āChaise Longue," which released before they had ever performed live. The song immediately a cheeky track centered on Teasdaleās deadpan delivery and guitarist Heather Chambersā 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 āMoisturizer,ā 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 Chambersā oddball progressions and facilitates a bigger, more layered sound.
The opening track, āCPR,ā opens with Holmesā drums and Durandās 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, āHello? 999. Whatās your emergency?ā Teasdale answers, āWellā¦ the thing isā¦ / Iā¦ Iā¦ Iā¦ Iā¦ Iā¦ / IāM IN LOVE.ā
Across the album, there are plenty of tracks that work to rattle car speakers and dominate summer festival mainstages. On the belligerent single āCatch These Fists,ā Teasdale declares, āI donāt want your love / I just wanna fight.ā On āPillow Talk,ā Teasdale coos over an industrial metal drone and delivers some of the horniest lyrics in the bandās notably graphic catalog.
The slower songs show off the bandās new tools. āDavina McCall," named after the English television presenter, begins bendy with some oddball chord changes and surprisingly delicate vocals. The slow jam ā11:21ā could sit next to on a playlist. āDonāt speak,ā written and sung by Chambers, channels the bluesy energy and corny-sweet lyrics of
In total, Wet Leg ā now a full band ā 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
