Underdressed at the Symphony
Faye Webster’s fifth album marks the point of full immersion when it comes to the Atlanta songwriting prodigy’s sly, shifting aesthetic. The tones are richer and deeper; the arrangements expand and breathe like massive lungs; her voice layers over itself and ripples, decadent and deeply felt. Webster’s genre-blending approach may have been slightly overstated in the past—a result of her early association with Atlanta’s rascally, defunct hip-hop crew Awful Records—but her sonic playfulness has never been more fully realized than it is on on *Underdressed at the Symphony*. Slinky, flute-dotted R&B is situated up against sumptuous country pop and grungy flips on ’50s sock-hop rock music; longtime friend and rap chameleon Lil Yachty pops up on “Lego Ring” as the pair switch off from a Weezer-esque chug to spacey, astral psych-rock. Lyrically, *Underdressed at the Symphony*—which was written and recorded coming off of a breakup—carries Webster’s now-trademarked mixture of emotional intimacy and straightforward humor. She finds potency in simple sentiments (“Thinking About You,” “He Loves Me Yeah!”), and on the sparse hyperpop “Feeling Good Today,” she details the small pleasures that come with moving through one’s daily existence. “I used to be self-conscious/Well, really, I still am/I’m just better at figuring out why,” Webster ruminates over the lush guitars of “Wanna Quit All the Time,” one of several songs that feature Wilco guitarist Nels Cline. This is music that’s as mesmerizing as it is disarmingly personal, and *Underdressed at the Symphony* represents an artist who, similar to cosmic kin Cass McCombs, seems increasingly intent on proving she really can do anything.
The Atlanta singer-songwriter’s latest record taps into freewheeling acoustic jam-session vibes. It’s ostensibly a breakup album, but rather than spilling her guts, she sounds more reserved than ever.
Her fifth album carefully balances the orchestral drama with a return to the stylish slouch of previous projects.
More gorgeous country-pop fare sprinkled with the singer-songwriter’s characteristically odder touches
On her fifth album, Faye Webster often sings from some hypnagogic cloud existing between both reality and daydreams.
While it does see Faye and her band at their most musically warm and open, lyrically she feels more closed off than ever before.
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It’s been three years since singer/songwriter Faye Webster released her last album, 2021’s critically acclaimed I Know I’m Funny haha, but in that time, the Atlanta native has kept busy.
The Atlanta twentysomething’s 70s-tinged alt-country is delicate and eclectic, complete with guest spots from Wilco’s Nels Cline and rapper Lil Yachty
On ‘Underdressed at the Symphony,’ Faye Webster finds pleasure in the discomfort of feeling like she doesn’t belong.
Undressed at the Symphony by Faye Webster album review by Ethan Rebalkin for Northern Transmissions. The artist's LP drops on March 1st
Faye Webster - Underdressed at the Symphony review: Underwritten at the Recording Session
The heady fifth studio album by the Georgia singer-songwriter Faye Webster ponders breakups and house colours