Album Review: Wet Leg, Moisturizer

Three years on from the runaway success of their eponymous debut, these Isle of Wight indie rockers up the pace with their much-anticipated latest LP. Now officially a five-piece, Moisturizer deftly sidesteps any difficult second album jitters, finding Wet Leg more confident than ever.

Inspired by old horror films and new love affairs, it’s a record that turns everything we loved about the band up to 11. Featuring 12 tracks forged on the road, and fortified with arena-sized hooks, there’s plenty of addictive treats on offer.

A riff-fuelled ode to the noughties succubus movie of the same name, ‘Jennifer’s Body’ has plenty of bite, while the Juliana Hatfield-steeped ‘Don’t Speak’ is a tasty slice of ’90s slacker-pop. The alt country-minded ‘Mangetout’, meanwhile, has hit written all over it.

Their increasingly iconic singer/guitarist Rhian Teasdale – now in her Mia Goth era – is their MVP throughout, with her performances switching from ice cool (‘Catch These Fists’) to full of warmth and charm (‘Pokemon’) with ease. Pleasingly free from any slip-ups, Moisturizer is the sound of a band thriving in the spotlight.

8/10

Out now