If The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants series was actually about a band surviving an adventure across the country, but still making music, it would be the story of Wet. The trio met when Bassist Joe Valle and Guitarist Martin Sulkow were attending New York University while Singer/Songwriter Kelly Zutrau was studying at Cooper Union, both in New York City. Beginning to jam together for fun, when they went their separate ways, they still continued to email each other unfinished songs that they would work together to mix and edit to finish. Interestingly enough, it soon became a serious affair of getting together tracks for a EP that they would end up releasing in early 2013. Touring with the likes of Chvrches and London Grammar, they soon signed on with Columbia Records. Now in 2016, they are ready to make a big splash with their major label debut full-length, Don’t You. Garnering attention of Jimmy Fallon, having them perform on The Tonight Show a week prior to Don’t You’s release on January 29th, there is quite a buzz going around about Wet.
The album opens with “It’s All in Vain,” which showcases Zutrau’s vocal ability with a minimalistic musical backdrop. The lyricism is deep, and delves into being deceived, running back, but finally realizing things will never change, and finally leaving. Then, “Deadwater” continues with the slow tempo, but adds more beat with percussion and the different sample sounds throughout, creating another chill, mellow song. Next there is “Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl,” which literally starts off with the lyric, “I don’t wanna be your girl no more,” and from that moment it is evident this is going to be a sad song. Using the the strength of Zutrau’s voice again, she projects a calming, sweet tone that no doubt will soothes a listener.
At this point, it becomes clear that Don’t You is a record that is made to help one cope with getting over a bad breakup. A perfect example of a song someone would listen to with a pint of ice cream in hand, maybe a bottle of wine, and pictures of an ex strewn across the apartment floor is “Weak.” With that said, the cut is one of the fastest off the album and it is definitely the loudest with its anthem-like sound. Then there is “All the Ways,” which continues with the whole concept of moving on after a breakup. It utilizes a happier, more uptempo pace, which will have the audience in high spirits about a fresh start.
Continuing to make the vocals a primary focus is the song “Island” where Zutrau dazzles once more. Afterwards, “Small and Sliver” toys around with a interesting drum beat, while “You’re the Best” uses several layers of Zutrau’s voice for an amazing harmonization. A track that can draw comparison to Halsey’s “Colors” is “Move Me,” however, Wet kick it up a notch and continue to still bring their own unique style. As Don’t You begins to wind down, “Body” brings on a sensuous R&B beat before the conclusion with the darkest composition off the album, “These Days.” The latter track is a fitting way to close this highly textured album with deep tones of piano that will captivate the listener and have them yearning to hear more.
After hearing Don’t You, it is clear Wet really has a huge future ahead of them. If their debut album is this good, who knows what their sophomore effort will have in store. They make simple beats work for them, as well as their strong voice and lyrics. Furthermore, they uses R&B beats, mixed with vocals just as well, if not better than Ellie Goulding and Halsey. Wet have more talent than they know what to do with, and they create a sound that will draw a lot more attention. CrypticRock gives Don’t You 5 out of 5 stars.
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