What does it sound like?:
And there’s me thinking Michael Head has got this years Album Of The Year sewn up, and then this one comes along to make me go “Hmm?”
This is Suede’s ninth album, and their fourth since 2010s reformation. And is probably the best of those 4 (although 2018s dystopian-epic ‘The Blue Hour’ runs it close)
They have successfully pulled off a re-invention of sorts with each release, and there is a slight feeling of going full-circle with this album. The songs are tight, the band tighter, and Brett’s histrionic vocals on top form.
Some write-ups have referred to this release as “their Punk album” – well, maybe Punk in attitude and exuberance, but not in songcraft and presentation.
Opener “She Still Leads Me On” – Brett Anderson’s song to his departed Mother – opens the album, sets out the stall, conjures reminders of the debut, and all-in-all is a copper bottom Suede classic (a trick repeated with “15 Again”, and very probably a couple of others here too).
In old money, Side 1 is a superb listen, and closes with “Drive Myself Home” which has the melancholic feeling of an album closer proper – akin to “The Next Life” from the debut. However, where that one closed the album on a quiet note (I always wanted more out of that album after it ended), this one peaks in a euphoric string section before returning to the plaintive (with a bit of Grimethorpe Colliery Band brass).
But this is no closer, as ‘Autofiction’ serves up another 5 top notch tracks, the picks being “Black Ice” and “What Am I Without You”. The sweeping epic “Turn Off Your Brain And Yell” rounds off the most complete album since 1996s ‘Coming Up’
(and in my confused mind, and where I stand alone, it’s still a better album than ‘Dog Man Star’)
What does it all *mean*?
After 30 years, Suede are still capable of making a glorious noise, and adding to their classic canon
Goes well with…
Release Date:
Now
Might suit people who like…
Punchy verses, big sweeping choruses, strained histrionic vocals, basically classic Suede
She Still Leads Me On
Black Ice
I haven’t got any of their more recent albums, but I ordered this along with tickets for their York gig next year. Still can’t quite believe my missus agreed to go, as she’s in no way a fan. Must be my dazzling looks and irresistible charm.
The album’s pretty impressive on the first listen or two.
His brother’s the big bloke what used to do Pointless and writes those slippers and cocoa whodunits you know
Alexander Armstrong is Brett Anderson’s brother? Blimey.
I’m with you on Coming Up being better than Dog Man Star.
Easy.
I’m also with you on Dog Man Star – I thought I was alone. I’ve always thought it was brash, tinny and superficial and could never understand why so many people thought it was some kind of pinnacle. I seem to be at odds with everybody, as I could never listen to Diamond Dogs either, which I disliked for all the reasons I disliked DMS. In both cases the production now sounds primitive – and not in a good way. Just to compound matters, I also thought Head Music was better than Coming Up and Night Thoughts was better than The Blue Hour. So there. 😀
Sitting here listening to the album and just as i read the sentence “a trick repeated with “15 Again”, the song starts.
I’ve exceeded the obligatory six listens and love the album, and as usual, the extra tracks are great as well.
Dog Man Star is still my favourite, in all it’s grand and histrionic pomposity, but really I like all their albums. Head Music and New Morning are often maligned, but New Morning’s got Positivity as the lead track, so gets a tick from me.
IMHO Suede are one of the few bands who have never made a truly bad album.
Of course they’ve not toured Australia grumble grumble.
Glad to see that shitter with the pout still putting it about…
There was a great interview with them on Niihal’s show on 5Live last week.
Worth seeking out on BBC Sounds.