Album Review: Wet – Don’t You
2 min read
Wet’s debut album has been in the works for some time now. Songs from Don’t You have been circulating the internet from as early as 2013, when Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl first appeared and right up to 2014’s self-titled Wet EP. It’s only now, four years after their formation, that Don’t You is finally materialising. Thankfully, the wait has done little to dampen its impact.
The pre-released material paints a clear picture of Wet’s direction across Don’t You. The synthpop style of the album is regularly paired with a dreamy atmosphere, working guitars and piano into the mix wherever possible while still keeping the general atmosphere relaxing and sombre. Singer Kelly Zutrau’s vocals slot perfectly into the mix, with a perfect mix of confidence and vulnerability making her a perfect finishing touch to each track.
While the sound of the album is largely static, never evolving in any major way, it still makes for a compelling package; the only early standout comes in Deadwater, carried by Zutrau’s performance and the twang of the chorus’ guitar, but the album quickly gains in strength as it continues. The final few tracks do a particularly good job of selling the album, with the infectious yet mellow hand clap beats and chorus hooks of Body melding together perfectly to define it as the album’s strongest musical point. However, it’s Move Me that makes the best use of Zutrau’s writing and singing abilities, with its cavernous harmony-filled chorus and its clear contrast against the minimal verses making for a stellar production.
Even though it took longer than expected for their major debut to appear, Don’t You was easily worth the wait. Even the songs that leave a bland initial impression begin to blossom forth as the intricate details of each track show themselves that little bit more with each listen, eventually leaving you with a distinct appreciation for Wet’s artistry. There’s a lot to enjoy about Don’t You, and the clear quality of the record leaves Wet standing as one of early 2016’s most promising up-and-coming bands.
