Less than a year ago, Isle of Wight’s Wet Leg released their debut single; the infectious, tongue-in-cheek ‘Chaise Longue’. It set Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers off on an unexpected journey.
“It all seems so long ago now,” says Rhian, still a little stunned by the rapid pace of it all. “It’s a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
That journey has taken in lobster claws, bubble baths and an elusive mop man alongside numerous TV performances and sell out tours, and now includes the release of the band’s debut, self-titled album.
Wet Leg was recorded and produced in the main by Speedy Wunderground’s Dan Carey (‘Chaise Longue’ and ‘Angelica’ were produced by Jon McMullen and Josh Mobaraki respectively). The main focus was always “good-times-all-the-time” right from the start. Whilst the record is for the most part a representation of that sensibility, a dry and often dark sense of humour ripples through. Whether that’s eviscerating a pretentious ex-boyfriend who sends unwanted texts declaring he’s dreamt you were back together and happily married, or being sucked into the 3am doom scroll reminiscent of an 80s sci-fi film.
Wet Leg is sad music for party people, and party music for sad people. It is cathartic and joyful and punk and scuzzy and above all, it’s fun. “Wet Leg was originally just supposed to be funny” says Rhian. More and more people are now in on the joke with the two of them, but that spirit remains at the centre of what they do. “Home is now behind you. The world is ahead” concludes Hester.
Release: April 8, 2022, Domino Recording Co.