Faye Webster is back with her fifth album, “Underdressed At The Symphony,” and it’s a delightfully meandering journey through her life’s idiosyncrasies. She’s not here to answer your questions or offer grand pronouncements on self-improvement. Instead, she chooses to simply exist, documenting heartbreak and hilarious moments in equal measure, blending them into a tapestry of relatable emotions.
The title itself captures the essence of Webster’s appeal. Like a cool cat at a symphony, she’s sophisticated enough to belong yet stands out with her laid-back charm. Her music is a delectable blend of indie-pop, country twang, and R&B, peppered with playful asides that betray her Gen Z roots. Remember her 2019 hit “Kingston” with the line, “He said, ‘Baby’ – that’s what he called me – ‘I love you'”? Pure, endearing Webster.
Unsurprisingly, TikTok has been instrumental in propelling her to viral fame. Her humour feels tailor-made for the platform – “underdressed at the symphony” could easily be a tweet. And she leans into this self-aware humour throughout the album. In “eBay Purchase History,” she purrs, “You should see my eBay purchase history/ You could learn a lot about me,” instantly drawing you into her world.
However, the album’s opening track, “Thinking About You,” throws a bit of a curveball. Clocking in at over six minutes, it’s a slow-burning exploration of yearning that, while beautiful, feels repetitive and perhaps misplaced on an album that thrives on its shorter, TikTok-friendly bursts.
Thankfully, the album recovers quickly with “But Not Kiss,” a breathtaking ballad that showcases Webster at her best. It’s a gorgeous exploration of her indecisive relationship, swaying between hushed intimacy and powerful crescendos fueled by drums, bass, and a cheeky piano line. Here, she isn’t out of place in the symphony; she is the symphony, conducting a captivating performance of emotions.
“Lego Ring” is another highlight, featuring a dynamic collaboration with Lil Yachty. It bounces between fast and slow tempos, a welcome change from the album’s occasional tendency towards slow-burn sprawl. Despite the song’s playful premise, it carries emotional weight as Webster harmonizes with Yachty: “I, I know what I like/ I know what I want/ But you know I kinda need.” Their voices weave together beautifully, his Auto-Tuned vocals adding a layer of lightheartedness that complements her down-to-earth charm.
Throughout the album, Webster isn’t afraid to experiment with different styles. On “Feeling Good Today,” she delves into R&B territory, detailing her day in a stream-of-consciousness monologue. It feels more like a casual conversation with a friend than a song, tapping into the current trend of confessional, often self-deprecating, lyricism.
Similarly, “He Loves Me Yeah!” channels the “coquette” trend of online femininity with its playful lyrics and childish braggadocio. However, Webster avoids falling into pure cliché, injecting a surprising dose of salaciousness towards the end: “My bb loves me, yeah/ He loves me, yeah/ I really like the way he holds me down.” It’s a delightfully unexpected twist that leaves the listener both giggling and blushing.
“Underdressed At The Symphony” is at its best when Webster embraces surprise. The title track showcases this perfectly, as her melancholic voice floats over a bed of pedal steel: “I’m depriving myself of happiness/ Something I’m really good at,” she confesses before revealing the true heartbreak beneath the song’s surface: “I’m underdressed at the symphony/ Crying to songs that you put me on.” As she utters those words, the orchestra explodes into a swirling crescendo, a powerful punctuation to her emotional journey.
While the album boasts its share of show-stopping moments, there are also stretches that lack momentum. The closing track, “Tttttime,” simply ambles along, never quite reaching a climax. Yet, perhaps that’s the point. Webster has earned the right to simply be, to exist in her own sonic universe, unfazed by the need for a grand finale. Perhaps her fans, too, just want to vibe with her, enjoying the journey without requiring a clear destination.
Overall, “Underdressed At The Symphony” is a charming and personal collection of songs that cements Faye Webster’s place as a distinct voice in the indie-rock landscape. While it might not be a game-changer, it’s a delightful listen, filled with witty lyricism, unexpected twists, and catchy hooks that will lodge themselves in your brain for days to come.
PHOTO – MICHAEL TYRONE DELANEY
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