Suede- ‘Bloodsports’ (18/03/2013- Warner Music Group)

    Formed way back in 1989, Suede are a five piece Alternative band from London who have undergone several line-up and style changes over the years, including daring to differ from other Britpop artists of the era from their second album. They broke up in 2003 after an unsuccessful album ‘A New Morning’ the following year, the collapse of their record label Nude Records, problems in the band and frontman Brett Anderson’s drug habits.

    But after their reunited in 2010 and 2011 for a series of concerts, Suede have finally released a sixth studio album yesterday, ‘Bloodsports’. It’s produced by Ed Buller, who also worked on three of the band’s previous records and has also worked with One Night Only, White Lies and Pulp. Brett Anderson has stated that ‘Bloodsports’ is a cross between Suede’s ‘Dog Man Star’ and ‘Coming Up’ albums.

   The progressive style of the opening track ‘Barriers’ makes it clear how willing Suede are to adapt their music slightly as commercial interests vary. Their rich sound and brashing lyrics such as “Aniseed kisses and lipstick traces/Lemonade sipped in Belgian rooms” build into a confident and honest track, with all the anthemic aspects of U2 without the monotonous undertones. 

    As much as Suede have embraced modern trends, they certainly haven’t lost their Glam Rock core, especially with ‘Snowblind’ being so similar to 1994’s ‘We Are the Pigs’. The gritty guitaring from Richard Oakes and wailing interludes have moulded together to prove Suede haven’t lost their flair. Released as a single on the 4^th February, ‘It Starts and Ends With You’ has everything the three essential elements of a single; a great hook, overall memorable and a portrayal of who the band really are without being too commercial. It’s slightly angsty, well-produced, and lyrically bravura, if a little melodramatic, “Then I fall to the floor like my strings are cut.”

   The use of syth based sounds at the beginning of ‘Sabotage’ seems to mirror The Killers until the track develops and its dark, echoing, haunting style is revealed. The instrumentation of this song is flawlessly emotional and effortless it’s almost breath-taking. Its chorus is swooping and intriguing with its apparent honesty, “Alone in the climate of her greed, her heels on the wheels of nothing/Her love is sabotage.”

   Suede have done something very rare in a comeback; reminded their fans how gifted they are collectively rather than how talented they once were. ‘For The Strangers’ brings the dark theme of the record, ironically, to light, as well as the band’s individuality, that some artists half their age have yet to grasp. The vocal layers on this track fade out beautifully and surprisingly lead into the arrogant and thuggish style of ‘Hit Me’, which escalates into falsetto sections. This track is wonderfully written, “Come on and hit me with all your mystery” and similar to Suede’s early work with its melodic guitar riff.

    ‘Sometimes I Feel I’ll Float Away’ is gentle and pensive yet undeniable powerful and utilises modern production techniques such as constant voice echo as well as relatable lyrics such as, “I need you more than you need to be needed”. Through this, it cannot be denied that Suede have given their fans what we all want from the music we listen to; sincerity. Even the mournful flair of ‘What Are You Not Telling Me?’ resonates honesty and evokes painful loneliness. This downbeat, pessimistic ballad is simply made up of multi-tracked vocals and lightly-plucked guitar and is nothing if not poignant. The Bon Jovi ‘Dead or Alive’ style opening to ‘Always’ utterly embraces romanticism whereas ‘Faultlines’ is almost cinematic in structure due to how highly-polished it is.

     Suede have nailed the balance between nostalgia and fresh elements throughout ‘Bloodsports’ and have composed something truly epic, haunting and authentic. The record retains the band’s distinctive sound and portrays their ability to write both slow-burners and hard-hitting, melodically distinctive tracks. Suede are a real rarity in an era of Indie-Pop overflow. It’s almost as if Suede never been away!

5/5