Faye Webster’s latest album, “Underdressed at the Symphony,” draws inspiration from previous works while maturing her sound. Relying less on the twang of a slide guitar and more on rock-influenced piano, Webster’s most recent work focuses on love and heartbreak while never taking itself too seriously.

 The album’s first track, “Thinking About You,” begins with a guitar slowly fading in and power chords from a piano, cementing Webster’s more modern sound. 

Staying familiar, Webster implements an echoing chorus of “I’m thinking about you,” which is similar to previous songs like “Room Temperature.”

 The following two songs, “But Not Kiss” and “Wanna Quit All the Time,” demonstrate Webster’s vulnerability. “But Not Kiss” contains back-and-forth verses. These lyrics create imagery of a lover giving everything and pulling away, almost like a game. 

Alternatively, Webster could be struggling with commitment, as the lyrics “I hope you’re okay, but I won’t ask” and “If you’re in a good place, I won’t mess with that” lean on the idea of indecisiveness.

 “Wanna Quit All the Time” showcases Webster’s growth despite her overthinking. She opens by expressing that she feels that she makes things negative. The soft yet powerful percussion supports the melody, much like a musical safety net for Webster and her words. The chorus “I think I’ll figure it out” falls slowly, indicative of Webster settling into resolution not abruptly but gently and at her own pace.

 A stark contrast to the the album, “Underdressed at the Symphony” portrays Webster as a melancholy maestro. After saying she’s deprived herself of happiness, Webster admits to spending money “just to feel somethin’.” 

This confession can be heard earlier in “Feeling Good Today” when, more upbeat, Webster says, “I got paid yesterday. I’ll probably buy something dumb because I am pretty childish.” 

After questioning “Are you doin’ all the same things?,” Webster says her eponymous phrase, “I’m underdressed at the symphony.” The artist reveals that she goes to a symphony just to escape.

 Webster’s new album acts as a playground for her to explore new music and as a diary chronicling her life experiences. “Underdressed at the Symphony” allows listeners to truly enjoy the fun in Webster’s lyricism and sound while admiring her talent as a musician and songwriter.