Why have I chose Wet Leg for this month? I’m not their biggest fan although I love some of their songs and I really dig what they’re doing. But something really got my goat and I thought it was worth having a discussion about. Essentially, I was reading another one of those dreadful reactionary articles the other day (alas, I can’t find what it was, I’ve looked online, there are so many!) asking why guitar music and guitar bands are dying.
Of course, the hidden implication in that is MALE guitar bands. That’s what they mean. Because there are PLENTY of top tier guitar bands around – I want to throw Wolf Alice straight in there, who just get better and better and I was desperate to review their new album for this month but alas it’s not out yet. On top of them are a plethora of UK female led acts, from The Last Dinner Party and The Big Moon to the new-all female vocaled Black Country New Road. But leading the pack are Wet Leg, and what’s interesting about them is they really quite an odd proposition, and that’s why I want to talk about them this month.
The Isle of Wight indie phenomenon are back with a new album, their 2nd, Moisturizer after a frankly extraordinary breakout debut that has made them music press darlings on both sides of the pond. Chaise Longue became one of those songs- backed by a v clever video and look for the band – the giant hats and lobster claws – that they then referenced in a series of excellent singles with similarly excellent videos – the fabulous Wet Dream, as well as Oh No and Yr Mum. It was clear they were not a one-hit wonder, and had a playfulness as well as an edge that made them perfect crossover indie fodder – 6 Music, Pitchfork, Glastonbury, Lollapalooza – this band was made for them all.
That makes them sounds contrived and I don’t they are all, there’s never been any sense of that. But I wondered how you follow up an album like that and how you evolve. Because, though I enjoyed the first album, I had a niggling doubt that behind the unbelievable effervescent and singular personality of lead singer Rhian Teasdale was a band that perhaps, musically at least, were just a touch indie generic?
My fears were initially confirmed when I first heard the first single Catch These Firsts. I was underwhelmed. It felt harder and more driving and rocky, but I worried that it traded vibes and a groove for a lack of melody. But do you know what? I was wrong! But it wasn’t until I heard follow up single CPR that everything started to make sense to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orD1QZBBXM8&list=RDorD1QZBBXM8&start_radio=1
Wet Leg were involving in all kinds of ways. I immediately loved Teasdale’s new look, a real giving no fucks queer vibe that I am just here for all day. But actually the music started to make sense, especially when I realised that they were moving away from a UK template and drawing on a much deeper well – American 90s alt rock. Pavement! Belly! Throwing Muses! Those bent guitar riffs, the slightly atonal quality, the grunge of the riffs. It’s all there, and fuck me, actually I am starting to love this. I imagine Joey will be feeling those same references.
So what do we have as an album? Well, sure it’s a mixed bag. It starts off magnificently with CPR, but 2nd track Liquidize feels a bit by numbers. Catch These Fists I’ve come to admire, though it’s by no means my favourite song. That goes to Davina McCall, a total surprise of a track, and funny, left field love song that just steals me completely. Jennifer’s Body is, alas, the other quite generic track before we get into the magnificent Mangetout. From then on, I have to say, the back end of the album gets better and better.
The last three songs are, for me, three of the strongest and the most bold, musically. Don’t Speak is pure Belly/early 90s 4AD. And then 11.21 is extraordinary, a haunting, lovely lollopoping ballad that could easily be Billie Eilish. Closer U and Me at Home is nothing short of magnificent, a Pavement esque grunge singalong that leaves you with a very nice vibe as you bring this brisk 38 minute album to a close.
So what is that about them? Teasdale is clearly the key figure here, presenting a bold and fearless version of modern femaleness that nonetheless loses none of the playfulness of the first album. But I have to say, I’ve come round to the band too. There’s some serious songwriting chops here, and it also just sounds like a load of fucking fun. Maybe it’s also that? Maybe everyone’s sick of the boys in their leather jackets taking themselves so seriously and not even talking to their audience – yeah, we see you Arctic Monkeys, headlining Glastonbury like it was a contractual obligation. This band are having fun and they are doing things there way, and you know, I am here for it!
And you, brothers?
thisisnothappening.net 
Nice brother David. Glad to be thinking about and album that’s got attention but also isn’t what we’d perhaps expect. Here’s a few thoughts from me before I’m fully into holiday mode. (Joey bullets style).
I’m happy this exists and it’s doing something different. Following up the hype must’ve been suffocating.
Wet Leg
Moisturizer
Track by Track | Hot Takes
Last up, and I’ll do my best not to double down on any one’s points.
Truthfully I didn’t spend much time with their last album. I liked them, but for what ever reason I didn’t listen to it much. I come to this with fresh thoughts and very little to go by.
Can I just say that Wet Leg make cool music. They’re cool as fuck. This latest album reminds me of everything I loved I put 90’s college radio. I’m getting Elastica, Sneaker Pimps, the Cardigans. Key to all of this is that there is a brilliant confidence across this album. I actually think it goes beyond male or female, I just think everything is super tight and music at its best.
There’s a lot of sounds on this album, and they pull it off well. If I didn’t know where they were from (Isle of Wight), I would have thought they were Scandinavian. The hybrid of styles often is pulled off by Scandinavian artists very well.
I get why Catch These Fists was the lead single… it’s a nice continuing from their big singles on their last album on first listen. With that the more I listen to it, it has so much to offer. The message of the track is there, but I also think it’s a fun playful song.
For me this is an album about being young, about relationships, about life. There’s a lot packed in here and I love it. Nothing is off the table throughout… including some spicy lyrics (which sadly has meant I’ve had to watch out when I’m playing the album as little ears are listening).
I’m not going to delve into the songs… but there isn’t one song I would drop. Lyrics are great, the band is tight and the production is spot on. What I will say is that CPR is a great opener and U And Me AT Home is a perfect end to the album.
“. anybody else want Wet Leg and Smerz to form a super-group?”
YES YES YES YES