The Isle of Wight’s biggest musical export since Level 42 are back with their sophomore effort. Released on the 11th of July.

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‘Chaise Longue’ crashed into the public consciousness in 2021 in a way few debut singles do these days. Most bands are plugging away for years to get a break. However, Wet Leg’s eponymous debut went straight in at number one in the Album Chart, was nominated for The Mercury Music Prize, picked up two Grammy Awards and the following year they snagged two Brit Awards. All of this is to say Wet Leg are kind of a big deal, with over half a billion streams to back it up. They had a playful freshness about them, a huge sense of fun. It has to be said that some of the songs were wearing a little thin by the time I saw them at Reading Festival in 2023, and they were somewhat underwhelming on that occasion. Was it a question of a band that were running on empty, or just hadn’t had the touring experience to back up their rapid ascent in the live arena? Where would they go on the next album?

The sense of humour is still there on Moisturizer, but it isn’t at the forefront of everything. This is a good thing and should help this batch of songs better stand the test of time. What replaces it is an opposing mix of songs about being in love, at times raunchier and hornier, versus a clutch of tracks that are all about idiotic men. Then there are a few horror movie references thrown is as well, apparently, they were watching horror movies most nights during the recording process after each day in the studio. There is a hint of that creeping into the album cover. Core members Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers are both on it, adopting slightly odd poses with long, cruel and unnatural nails. There is a fierceness underpinning much of the album.

Second single ‘CPR’ starts it off, the slow, bass heavy guitar opens into a short, classic guitar driven chorus with an alarm warbling away. As an opener it kicks the door down in style. As with the overall themes there is a tension here, “Is it love or suicide?” Teasdale settles on being in love. The other singles are separated by ‘liquidise,’ another instantly catchy track. “You must have me hypnotised, to fall in love with you tonight.”

Lead single ‘Catch These Fists’ remains as barnstorming as it sounded on the 1st of April. Underpinned by an utter sense of focus and energy, and a scathing lyrical energy. “I know too well what your like, I don’t want your love I just want to fight.” “This always happens late at night, some guy comes up says I’m his type. I just threw up in my mouth when he just tried to ask me out. Yeah, don’t approach me, I just wanna dance with my friends.” It is easily their best track to date.

Most recent single ‘davina mccall’ takes the foot of the accelerator and affects a gentler mood. This is a more positive love song, about being with the right person and being willing to do anything for each other.

‘jennifer’s body’ is the clearest reference to a horror title and seems an apt fit for the album. The film is about a demonically possessed female high school student in the US who kills boys and eats their flesh. Whilst this song is more about gaze and obsession there are clear links between the themes of film and album. ‘mangetout’ carries on the same themes. “You think I’m pretty, you think I’m pretty cool. You want to fuck me, I know most people do.”

Ellis Durand (bass), Henry Holmes (drums), and Joshua Mobaraki (guitar, synth), are more integrated into this album with all of them getting writing credits at different points and it was built with being played live in mind. Clearly what I experienced at Reading was not indicative of where the band are now at. Everything on this album is expertly crafted and each member of the band is in full control of their playing. It drives along at a ferocious pace at times.

I have yet to detect what ‘pokemon’ has to do with the trading card game, other than it references being “your pokemon” (You can store me in a small sphere and I will fight for you?) and going to Tokyo (the game hails from Japan). This is the most pop offering on the album and would have made for a better single than ‘davina mccall.’ It glides along in a very self-assured manner. ‘pillow talk’ is peak horniness as Rhian Teasdale describes relations with a pillow every night wishing it was the object of her affections. This has a heavier bent to it than much of the album and sounds fantastic.

‘don’t speak’ has a touch of Beabadoobee about it. ’11:21′ is another to slow things right down. Teasdale’s voice is doing all sorts of things on this one, at times deeper than normal, at others reaching higher and with far greater tonal control than anything on the first album suggested. It is powerful vocal gymnastics. ‘u and me at home’ has big chorus sing-along potential atop yet another lively guitar track.

This is a fine, fine second album. I almost expected it to be disappointing, so it is a pleasant surprise at just how good the end product is. Whilst the first album was decent this a stronger, fiercer offering that brims with confidence from all involved. Wet League are set to maintain their trajectory into one of the biggest guitar bands in the country, but they haven’t compromised anything about their identity to achieve that.

Moisturizer Vinyl: https://amzn.to/4luBUKM

Moisturizer CD: https://amzn.to/3ZXFVzh

Wet Leg can be found over the summer at:

Fri 11th July – TRNSMT, Glasgow

Tue 15th July – I-Days Milan, Milan w/ Olivia Rodrigo

Wed 16th July – Acieloaperto Festival, Cesena

Fri 1st Aug – All Together Now, Waterford

Sun 3rd Aug – Wilderness Festival, Oxfordshire

Thu 7th Aug – Oya Festival, Oslo

Fri 8th Aug – Way Out West, Gothenburg

Sun 10th Aug – Boardmasters Festival, Newquay

Fri 15th Aug – Green Man Festival, Crickhowell

Sun 17th Aug – Cabaret Vert Festival, Charleville-Mézières