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Wet Leg Moisturizer review: A lesson in how to avoid the sophomore slump

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Could it be that the Isle of Wight has something to do with it? The brief, innovative electronic dance group Get Shakes managed to breathe new life into classic disco music, making it feel fresh and trendy. This was largely due to their ingenious manipulation of synthesizers, adding a vibrant touch to the unyielding rhythms they produced.

As a gaming aficionado, I was on a quest to create a disco tune that blended the catchy melodies from Britain with the energetic beats from America, all while avoiding an overly sweet sound and providing something more substantial than just the rhythm.

Regardless of what factors are driving Shakes’ music, their friends from the Isle of Wight, Wet Leg, have transformed it into a global sensation. In 2021, best friends Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers captivated the world with their single “Chaise Longue”.

No sign of a sophomore slump with Wet Leg’s Moisturizer

The first studio release by Wet Leg peaked at the top position in the UK charts and managed to enter the top 20 in the U.S. Their clever, amusing, and offbeat style produced a fantastic collection of indie rock tunes.

I’m thrilled to share that Teasdale and Chambers have returned with their second album titled “Moisturizer,” which hit the shelves last Friday! This time around, we’ve got some permanent additions to our lineup – Ellis Durand on bass and Joshua Mobaraki on guitar. Henry Holmes, who was our session drummer for the debut, has now officially joined the band as well. Let’s rock this new journey together!

In this setup, Teasdale takes on the main vocal duties, with Chambers providing harmonies and playing both the guitar and keyboard. Dan Carey once again steps up as the producer, and contributes to the intricate synthesizer patterns that form the core of many tracks.

The new album, titled “Moisturizer”, carries on from where their initial record ended, yet subtly enriches the musical spectrum. While the transformation isn’t drastic, it still maintains the distinct sound that brought us songs like “Chaise Longue” and subsequent releases. However, there are hints of diverse pop and rock influences intertwining within the synthesizer-driven dance rhythms.

Regarding their songwriting, Teasdale and Hester, along with significant contributions from the rest of the group, appear particularly fascinated by the intricacies of love and allure. This theme offers a complex, risky, yet exhilarating exploration.

From the first song titled “CPR,” Teasdale questions if it’s love or self-destruction repeatedly. The chorus suggests performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on him, symbolizing CPR, indicating that even the idea of attraction can potentially endanger one’s heart. This sentiment rings true for many of us, as we struggle to express such profound feelings so eloquently.

As a gamer, diving into the second track titled “Liquidize,” I find myself transitioning from the heavy synths to a more upbeat rhythm, still carrying that warning tone. The opening lines resonate with me: “Love knocked me off my feet – What’m I doing here?” Later on, I’m back to those powerful synths and bass in “Catch These Fists.” “I’ve had enough of your kind – I don’t crave your affection, just a good challenge to fight.

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The song “davina mccall” shifts towards a sincerely sweet, sunny pop style that lacks the risky undertones present in the earlier tracks. However, “jennifer’s body” delivers a martial grunge vibe, bringing us back to themes of dangerous infatuation once again.

Musically speaking, Wet Leg effortlessly switches between grittier tunes reminiscent of the edgier ’60s era pop and softer melodies. However, their unique style is defined by Teasdale’s calm, sarcastic vocals and catchy dance rhythms that stick in your head.

This work exhibits unexpected transitions at times. The tunes occasionally cut off mid-lyric. Frequently, there are British allusions that leave uninformed Americans scrambling for answers on Wikipedia. For example, I now recognize Davina McCall (a TV host) and the Solent (though I must confess, I’ve already forgotten what that reference meant).

As a gamer, I recall that the tune was one of the infrequent tracks where Chambers took the lead – affectionately known as the “pond song.” Chambers’ style doesn’t match Teasdale’s somber tone entirely; instead, she offers a more sugary melody. However, the music itself provides an intriguing contrast that I find captivating. To be honest, it’s one of the grooviest, grungiest rock tracks Wet Leg has produced.

“pokemon” is more ‘60’s-inspired pop. I have no clue what the title means.

Certainly!

I get what this song is about – it’s the quirky, intriguing “pillow talk,” which delves into the complexities of sexual desire through one of the most captivating singles of the year.

Later on, they present a soulful masterpiece titled “11:21” with a refreshing twist. This track exhibits a straightforward, eerie melody and showcases some of Teasdale’s most heartfelt vocal expressions.

For those who have become enamored with “Chaise Longue” and yearn for more, here’s a selection that will likely please: Our top pick is reminiscent of the original, which is why it was released as the debut single in April.

Wet Leg demonstrates on “Moisturizer” that they’re not just a band with one successful song or limited range. If you enjoyed their initial work, you will likely appreciate the evolution in their sound on this second album. There may even be some unexpected styles of songs that catch your attention.

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2025-07-13 16:00

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