The Friday song (on a Sunday): ‘davina mccall’ by Wet Leg

I ’ve been asked more than once whether I ever use ChatGPT to help me write these pieces for the Friday song. I thought I’d try it a few weeks ago to see what it said about my choice. It was disappointing. I’m on the free tier, so maybe my expectations were a little high, but the result was pompous, weak and obvious in different parts – so much so, that it wasn’t worth putting up a single sentence with due credit.

I didn’t go as far as accepting its offer to give me a line-by-line interpretation of the lyrics or pluck out an adjective! So you’re getting my writing and if that ever changes, I’ll let you know.

Fun-loving 20-something music students, Hester Chambers and Rhian Teasdale, set out their recording lives as Wet Leg.  The name alone conjured up all sorts of controversy fodder, before even getting to the music.

Their minimalist, part-funny, part-scathing, post-punky single Chaise Longue was a breakout hit of 2022. As simple as it was, it launched something as fresh as it was surprising.

And last month Wet Leg dropped their second album, moisturizer. Still treading the boards between uneasy and unsettling, it also asked questions absorbing every teen and young adult, from doomscrolling to dance floor etiquette. They expanded to a five-piece for album two as they grew their musical palette.

I love this album. It just doesn’t seem to care. CPR echoes the “sleaze with a wink” of Chaise Longue, while catch these fists makes sure that unwanted boys get the message not to bother the girls on their night out. moisturizer refines the music too and while it’s unmistakably made for people in their 20s, its soul is more cross-generational.

Listen to the melody, prodding bass and slurred synth on today’s song, davina mccall, which is named after the Big Brother presenter whose payoff line was “I’m coming to get you”. Apparently, Davina is a fan. No word from Shakira though, also name-checked on this kinda sweet song that skids and slides through a familiar, mainly two-chord, about-turn, pop trick that’s as close to a love song as Wet Leg have released. 

Hope you enjoy something rather different and very current this week.

I started a music WhatsApp group in 2023. I send one song a week on a Friday, with links to both Apple and Spotify, and an accompanying narrative/capsule piece. You’ll read it here on a Sunday. If you want to engage about a song, get a playlist or just get in touch, email me on markgrosin@gmail.com. Listen to davina mccall on Spotify here and Apple Music here.

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