Underdressed at the Symphony: Faye Webster’s new album

By Alivia Williams 

Image of Faye Webster at Rough Trade taken from Wikimedia Commons

On March 1, 2024, indie artist Faye Webster released her fifth studio album, “Underdressed at the Symphony.” This album is a collection of heavily instrumental pieces which allow for a soothing listening experience. Collectively, Webster’s soft tone and her featured orchestra blend together quite beautifully, leaving the listener feeling ethereal. 

The title of Webster’s album comes from her deep love for the symphony and her past experiences in which she would decide to buy a ticket on a whim—therefore being unprepared and underdressed for these particular upscale events. Her passion for the symphony began as a means to escape feeling heartbreak or the pains of everyday life—a sound for the soul that she believed helped her in times of struggle. 

Webster has grown immensely popular over the last few years, mainly through the use of social media to promote her music, with her most recognizable hits including: “I Know You” and “Kingston.” However, Webster’s new tracks are gaining admiration quickly and may soon take precedence over past tracks. 

“Thinking About You”

While not a heavy lyrical piece, the opening track on the album, “Thinking About You,” has a dreamy feel with the sounds of a soft guitar, repetitive drums and piano. Webster sings relatively the same lines over and over again as if talking with someone she’s infatuated with—her tone holds a sense of longing for something that either once was, or never has been, like an unrequited emotion. This song easily tugs on the heartstrings and may have you remembering someone special due to its nostalgic feel. 

“But Not Kiss”

This song packs a hard punch, particularly instrumentally. The listener is greeted with subtle guitar strums in the beginning with Webster whispering lyrics reminiscent of an ex-lover. Accompanied by undertones of the terrible outcomes of her past, and how she believes history would repeat itself if she were to give this relationship another chance. After the first line, the bass, drums and Webster’s recognizable pedal steel guitar introduce themselves. The impactful instrumentation is a direct embodiment of how severe the consequences would be of this love— supposedly gone sour. As a listener, you feel the somber weight of the situation as the instruments carry Webster’s vocals beautifully and with amazing strength. The song ends on a wistful note, with the singer feeling ultra-nostalgic and open to reparations with her past lover, maybe someday, maybe in another life; this is apparent with her lyric “But I’m here when you need, I always help.”

“Lego Ring”

“Lego Ring” is the only song on Webster’s new album that includes a feature. In this case, she is accompanied by her childhood friend and popular rapper, Lil Yachty. The instrumentals present in this song are quite unique, with the whimsical incorporation of peculiar beats, bass and a rock riff with Lil Yachty on drums. The tempo often changes, creating this unconventional sound that mirrors Webster’s want for a non-traditional love. She expresses the desire for an unorthodox ring, representing a longing for someone to share a deep emotional connection with who understands her views. Lil Yachty’s verse touches on the monotony of typical relationships, represented in the line “My wedding got tired,” implying that the societal image of marriage being a boring routine isn’t a future he wants to possess. 

“Lifetime”

This song is the epitome of mellow, with beautiful vocals and smooth instrumentals throughout. Webster put the utmost grace into the sound of this song, although contradictory to the song’s message. The artist sings about the complexity of a relationship that could have been, wherein it felt so serious that one party became hesitant and the connection is no longer there. It depicts human uncertainty and regrets in love, being stuck forever yearning–hence the title “Lifetime.”

“Underdressed at the Symphony”

This track feels like a personal admittance of being stuck in one’s own cycles and therefore, creating distractions to shake the weight of routine. Webster sets a somber mood with a slow tempo and meaningful lyrics addressing her ex-partner. By placing herself in a symphony, Webster amplifies her feeling of being out of place and being confused in the remnants of love. While the symphony may make her feel “underdressed” and unfit, she finds comfort in the beauty of music. The stark contrast between the vulnerable lyrics and the formal setting of the orchestra conveys an illustration that captures the artist’s inner emotions perfectly. 

“Tttttime”

Webster ends the album off with a strong piece about disconnection and searching for an answer to her neverending boredom, confusion and loneliness. While accompanied by elegant string instruments, she sings of dissatisfaction dealing with her mundane life–a feeling faced by most. The chorus of this song is very catchy, with the enunciation of “T-t-t-t-t-t-t-time” satisfying the ears while the background music moves the mind. 

Faye Webster has cultivated a perfect formula for making beautiful music out of disheartening situations. This album is a reflection of her heart and soul, as well as the experiences relevant to what makes humans unique–love. I rate “Underdressed at the Symphony” a resounding 9/10.