The highly anticipated sophomore album from Wet Leg, Moisturizer, has officially landed on July 11, 2025, and it has already made waves across the music scene. After their breakout success with their 2022 self-titled debut, Wet Leg—comprising Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers—has evolved in both sound and lyrical depth, carving a distinct identity as one of the most innovative and exciting indie duos of their generation.
From Indie Anthems to Emotional Exploration
Wet Leg’s debut album Wet Leg was a fresh, playful, and sometimes irreverent take on indie rock, propelled by hits like “Chaise Longue” and “Angelica.” But with Moisturizer, the band is pushing themselves into more introspective and emotionally rich territory, while still keeping their sharp wit and unflinching observations. Gone is the more detached irony, replaced with earnest reflections on identity, love, and personal growth.
Teasdale and Chambers collaborated with Dan Carey once again as their producer, but this time, they’ve expanded their lineup to include a full band. This shift has allowed the sound of Moisturizer to evolve from the minimalist and punchy guitar riffs of their debut to a more layered and expansive sonic landscape. The result is an album that’s both bold and intimate, capable of evoking complex emotions through intricate melodies and thoughtful lyrics.
Track-by-Track Highlights
The album opens with “liquidize,” a lush track that sets the tone for the album’s sonic evolution. The song blends warm synths and driving basslines, offering a feel of both intimacy and expansiveness. Teasdale’s vocals take on a new vulnerability, singing about the process of emotional and personal transformation: “I’ve been holding on for too long / I need to liquidize and feel alive.” It’s a perfect introduction to the thematic shift of the album.
Another standout is “pond song,” which showcases Wet Leg’s signature quirky songwriting, but with more emotional weight. Here, they reflect on the fluidity of self-identity and the challenges of navigating relationships in the modern world. The track’s blend of dreamy guitar and driving percussion feels nostalgic but fresh, capturing the complexity of youthful yearning with striking sincerity.
However, not all tracks hit the mark. “Catch These Fists” feels a bit underwhelming compared to the more experimental songs on the album. It lacks the inventiveness of earlier tracks, and some critics feel that it could have used more sonic exploration to align with the rest of Moisturizer’s emotive themes.
Critical Reception
Critics are generally praising Wet Leg for their growth and the album’s nuanced storytelling. The more mature sound is being heralded as a sign that Wet Leg is here to stay in the indie rock scene, ready to lead the charge for the next wave of innovation in modern rock. The evolution in sound and theme is being compared to artists like Paramore and Alvvays, who also transitioned from more lighthearted beginnings to emotionally complex narratives in later albums.
The band’s ability to balance humor with heartbreak is still a central part of their appeal. “The band’s wit remains intact,” says Rolling Stone, “but this time, they’ve learned how to turn that humor inward, exploring personal experiences that add new layers to their storytelling.”
Final Thoughts: A New Chapter for Wet Leg
Moisturizer is the album that proves Wet Leg’s staying power. While it doesn’t have the immediate pop-culture impact of their first record, it shows that the duo is maturing in a way that will resonate with listeners for years to come. If their debut was an introduction to their world, Moisturizer is a deeper dive into the emotional complexities that come with growing up in a digital age. It’s bold, it’s complex, and it marks a turning point for Wet Leg as they continue to break boundaries.
