FAYE WEBSTER - UNDERDRESSED AT THE SYMPHONY
Indie superstar Faye Webster’s most recent full-length album Underdressed at the Symphony is a complete record in every sense of the word; a work of art where each song perfectly flows into the other, telling a story through a collection of tracks rather than clunkily forcing widely different melodies together. In the age of quick hits on streaming services, Underdressed at the Symphony is highlighted by bright, smooth, easy instrumentation, all while singing of yearning, heartbreak, and confusion in a way that is somehow both highly specific yet widely familiar.
One of the most common details present throughout various tracks on this record is consistent repetition, particularly as the song comes to a close. In the very first track ‘Thinking About You,’ we are led through jazzy, smooth, funky melodies into a repetitive outro where she sings the title of the track over and over again, eventually fading into the sound. Although the melody is undeniably catchy and enjoyable, it lends itself more as background music rather than something that should be listened to with intent and purpose.
The lead single ‘But Not Kiss’ is sung more intentionally, telling the same story but with both the melody and lyrics. While there is still a touch of the same easy-going vibes that kicked off this album, this message is conveyed with intense tempo changes and dramatic instrument drops. In But Not Kiss, she sings of someone she longs for, but ultimately chooses to avoid because she knows it’s for the better.
“I hope you’re okay, but I won’t ask / If you’re in a good place, I won’t mess with that / but I’m here when you need, always have.”
With one of the most distinct voices of our generation, Faye Webster sings each song with a sense of longing and despair that is always present, regardless of what she’s saying. In many songs, the tone tells a greater story than the lyrics themself. Melodically, ‘Wanna Quite All The Time’ will transport you to a tropical island vacation. Vocally, she juxtaposes this peaceful soundtrack with internal conflict and confusion. The track leads us into a silent break, where it’s possible to be convinced for a second that the song is over, only to be led back to a beautiful instrumental segment. This is an incredible detail that was a fan favorite on several records throughout history but is now often lost in the age of streaming. Small melodic details such as these drill in the idea that Webster views Underdressed at the Symphony as a cohesive work of art rather than a collection of songs.
Once we hear the single ‘Lego Ring’ featuring Lil Yachty, we’re brought out of the feel-good, vacation vibes, into a more modern autotuned sound. Webster’s unique voice is accentuated by Lil Yachty’s autotuned vibrato in the background vocals. Immediately followed by the light-hearted ‘I Feel Good Today,’ we’re led to a short interlude bringing more positive lyrical themes than previous explored in the front half of this record.
In ‘He Loves Me Yeah!’ sharp, quick vocal cuts pair with tight guitar and rushed melodies. Although the music starts off harsh, this one quickly transforms into a light-hearted danceable beat, with funny and endearing lyrics about the simplicity and joy of being in love. As a contrast, the following track ‘eBay Purchase History’ offers quite the opposite - with highly specific lyrics referencing moments in Webster’s personal life. As various young female singer-songwriters such as Boygenius, Soccer Mommy, and Samia rise to fame, it’s no wonder that we’ve entered a lyrical renaissance among the next generation of indie superstars. The more specific the lyrics are, the more relatable fans find them.
“Close my eyes, I can smell my old apartment / It’s kinda nice to have familiarity / A sweet escape for whenever I need.”
The phenomenal title track is led by smooth sliding electric guitar, telling the story of fresh heartbreak and the confusion and loneliness that comes along with it. After she sings the title of the song, we’re quickly interrupted by a classical strings solo, singlehandedly holding the power to make you pause what you’re doing and rewind to make sure you heard that right. A real standout and fantastic name for the album, ‘Underdressed at the Symphony’ is some of Faye Webster’s best work.
Leading us back into easy-going vibes for the album’s finale, ‘Tttttime’ brings us back to the tropical influence, as Webster sings of a day with zero plans. Perfect for when you need the right laid back beach soundtrack, Faye Webster’s latest Underdressed at the Symphony holds the power to both mellow your vibes and break your heart through only ten songs.
Emily Gottlieb
★★★★☆