After what felt like way too long, Wet Leg make their triumphant return with moisturizer. Following the launch of ‘catch these fists‘ in April, and the singles and live performances that followed, the Isle of Wight band suddenly had their hands on one of the most sought after albums of the year. Fortunately, the wait was worth it in more ways than we could’ve expected.
‘CPR’ opens the record with a reintroduction that feels like no time has passed. It brings a direct attack of riffs that’d feel at home on Wet Leg, but expands upon that foundation with fuzzy basslines and grooves that sink right into the hips. Rhian Teasdale’s vocals bring all sorts of quirks to the mix, and the result is a great start to the album. It also details the overall theme: love, and all the things it makes us feel.
Inbetween records, Wet Leg embraced their live line-up and became a five-piece band. Songwriting duties extended out to all members, expanding their sound. ‘Liquidize’ shows off this new iteration, as acoustic guitars combine with their electric counterpart to bring a driven, throwback instrumental and dramatic, love strung lyrics that could fit snugly in the vibe of mid-00’s summer tunes.
With moisturizer off to a great start, ‘catch these fists’ follows with further confirmation that it’s one of the best singles of 2025. Its ballsy chorus and heavy-hitting guitars remain a deadly combination. This momentum is softened by ‘davina mccall’, which soothes the soul with weeping melodies and Rhian’s muted vocals. Creating a sound you could happily exist in.
Wet Leg seem more at ease with being upfront with their emotions. The tongue-in-cheek vibe still remains, but the lyrics aren’t hidden behind the instrumentals or stifled giggles. Rhian’s vocals capture the delirium that comes with being in love, and she’s not afraid to express all other emotions too. ‘jennifer’s body’, ‘mangetout’ and ‘pillow talk’ harness this freedom, becoming a trio that match the hot and heavy vocals of ‘catch these fists’, with the latter becoming one of the heaviest songs in Wet Leg’s discography.
‘11:21‘ shines with numerous standout performances. Instrumentally, the band strip away the guitars to allow space to lead things. A laid back rhythm section allows synths to draw out notes to create a soft atmosphere that immediately makes you take notice. Its here that you also get to appreciate Rhian’s vocals too, as she delivers a performance that ranges from the depths to the very top. This was a real surprise as this isn’t a vulnerability we’ve heard before.
A lot of progression was made in the time between records, and the difference between them is huge. While a lot of the attention was given towards Rhian’s new look and emergence as one of the most jacked frontwomen in music, the expansion of Wet Leg as a fully-fledged band brings with it a tighter sound that’s filled with depth and excitement. moisturizer is fantastic, and is an album that shows a band moving forward while absolutely nailing it.
They burst onto the scene initially with songs about a chaise longue and wet dreams, and many wondered if that flame would last. I was always curious to see which direction they’d go for the difficult second album. With moisturizer, Wet Leg have proved that the fire still burns, and they’re leading the way for the next generation of bands.