Faye Webster – ‘Underdressed at the Symphony’ album review: More lyrical longing and lush instrumentation
THE SKINNY: To most, the idea of turning up to a symphony underdressed is panic-inducing. Just the thought of it evokes fear of shunning stares and whispered tuts, the inevitable feeling that you don’t quite belong. For Faye Webster, that experience has become a pastime so dear to her that she named an entire album after it.
The Atlanta-born artist and yo-yo enthusiast feels no fear strolling into symphonies in non-formal attire. Rather, she revels in it, seeing it as a form of therapy. “I was quite literally underdressed at the symphony because I would just decide at the last moment that that’s what I wanted to do,” she explained, “I got to leave what I felt like was kind of a shitty time in my life and be in this different world for a minute. I liked that I didn’t feel like I belonged.”
Though there’s no sense that Webster doesn’t belong in the soundscapes she creates on Underdressed at the Symphony, it does contain that same ability to transport you to a different world. The world of Webster is one of lush instrumentation, of vocals that swing just as effortlessly as a yo-yo, and, apparently, of Lil Yachty features. Not belonging is a mode that Webster renders seamless.
It’s a world of yearning and longing but never in a way that’s pitiful, always in a way that awards catharsis. It’s a record that feels and sounds like a learning curve, in the best possible way. Though her sonic world is often almost as dense as an entire orchestra, there are no fears of being underdressed for Underdressed at the Symphony. Webster’s ruminations on love and life are, as always, achingly authentic and accessible. It’s a record that makes discomfort an easy feeling.
For fans of: Yearning, longing, pining, craving, desiring.
A concluding comment from Elle’s boyfriend: “Weirdest Lil Boat side project of all time, like when Robbie Williams popped up in Eastenders.”
Underdressed at the Symphony track by track:
Release date: March 1st | Label: Secretly Canadian
‘Thinking About You’: No one does lyrical longing quite like Faye Webster, and ‘Thinking About You’ kicks off Underdressed at the Symphony with almost seven minutes of it. She’s in her element as she turns the simplicity of the titular phrase into an achingly romantic refrain, enhanced by subtle chimes and piano flourishes. [4/5]
‘But Not Kiss’: Webster still has yearning to spare, but she’s a little more afraid to voice it on ‘But Not Kiss’. Her voice is tentative as she sings, “I want to sleep in your arms,” then suddenly decisive and firm as she follows up with, “but not kiss.” Her ruminations on regret are punctuated by cinematic stings and stunted “Yeah”s. [4/5]
‘Wanna Quit All the Time’: Despite the defeatist title, ‘Wanna Quit All the Time’ is sonic serenity. Effortless twangs and sparkling keys soundtrack Webster’s words on quitting and self-questioning, but she never wallows in it. “I think I’ll figure it out,” she shrugs. [4/5]
‘Lego Ring’ (ft. Lil Yachty): ‘Lego Ring’ begins like any other Webster offering – saccharine vocals and powerful keys, gorgeous lyrics and percussive strikes – but quickly gives way to something new entirely. A feature from old friend Lil Yachty echoes Webster’s words with strange autotuned vocal effects. It’s a bold move, an ode to their friendship and Webster’s beginnings in rap, but it feels a little tonally off here. [3/5]
‘Feeling Good Today’: Webster reverts to singing solo as the album reaches its midpoint, but she refuses to let go of the auto-tune just yet. Minimal instrumentation accompanies her on the short but sweet ‘Feeling Good Today’, made all the more uncanny by altered vocals. [3/5]
‘Lifetime’: ‘Lifetime’ is a welcome return to Webster’s roots, sickly sweet declarations of love and gorgeously lush guitars. “Can’t imagine me before you,” she sings, “In a lifetime.” The phrase dominates the song but never becomes tired, only serving to deepen Webster’s emotion. [4/5]
‘He Loves Me Yeah!’: We find Webster picking up the pace and picking petals from a flower, always landing on “My baby loves me, yeah”. She captures the perfection of early love on this track, citing hair-brushing and gas-pumping as proof of her partner’s love. It’s soft and secure, devoid of the distant longing that she more often charts. [3.5/5]
‘eBay Purchase History’: Scraped percussion and sparkling soundscapes meet on ‘eBay Purchase History’, which suggests that we could learn a lot about Webster from her second-hand buys. When she’s not scrolling online e-commerce sites, Webster keeps herself busy through familiar routine and the creation of effortless soundscapes like this one. [3.5/5]
‘Underdressed at the Symphony’: The titular track on Underdressed at the Symphony is Faye at her most familiar. Her vocals swing in tandem with the strings that surround them, yo-yoing with emotional vulnerability. “I’m depriving myself of happiness, something I’m really good at,” she declares. It’s unclear if she’s good at happiness, or depriving herself of it. [4/5]
‘Tttttime’: The title for the album’s closer, ‘Tttttime’, might have you wondering how to pronounce it. Fear not, Webster demonstrates exactly how “I got t-t-t-t-t-t-t time,” she sings, each letter stressed by flute-like blows. She calls her mother, takes a walk, and takes her time, finding serenity in the freedom and simplicity of it all. [3.5/5]
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