Antidepressants. Suede

It is 1993 and I had a period in which I did not have a lot of money to spend. Standing in the local record store I had two records in my hand 'New West Motel' by The Walkabouts and 'Suede'. The choice fell on the latter. What a mistake, as The Walkabouts (and the Chris & Carla duo) soon became my favourite band in the 1990s. Here it's 2025 and Suede is in its second run for well over a decade and is producing one fine album after the other. The Walkabouts disbanded in 2012; forever I think.

Suede always remained one of my second layer Britpop bands, where I will always come back to every once in a while. In 2025 it has moved up one layer, as it is one of the only Britpop bands that are still active 30 plus years after the start of Britpop. With Antidepressants Suede shows that there is no falling back on routine or that the band is the worse for wear and tear in any way. This album is filled with energetic songs that sparkle. They are full of life and enthusiasm.

Right from the very start Suede makes its point. Yes, it sounds familiar. Had I been selected to do a blind test to the new songs, I'm certain to have been able to name the band. Brett Anderson's voice stands out of course but there's also the sound of the band that comes through quite clear in 'Disintegrate' and beyond.

Does that make Antidepressants a must have album? After all, I already have quite a big collection of Suede albums. After the first few listening sessions, I thought to answer no, I have enough of them. Since, I have changed my mind. The album is different enough. From Britpop Suede moved to a tighter and louder form of music. For lack of a better word, I would call the music punky. It has nothing to do with The Sexpistols, Green Day or The Offspring, for that the music is far too melodic in its outset. That said, this a tough album to crack. And I simply have come to like it a lot. Even more than the four albums that came before since the reunion. That puts it on a line with my previous favourites, 'Suede' and 'Head Music' with 'Coming Up' tightly behind the duo.

I remember an interview with Brett Anderson from 1996 in which he commented on Bernard Butler leaving the band and Richard Oakes joining. It read something like "Here was this 16 year old kid claiming he would write an album filled with hits for us". That album was 'Coming Up' in 1996. 29 Years down the line things haven't changed, except that hits probably will no longer happen. Keyboardist Neil Codling co-writes songs as well, so credit where it's due. The current line up, including rhythm section Mat Osman and Simon Gilbert, is extremely stable and that shows in the confident music the five are presenting.

Summing up, I am surprised by how good Antidepressants is. I thought I had heard it all from Suede. The band put me in my place and one again I'm a fan.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Antidepressants here:

https://antidepressantssuede.bandcamp.com/album/antidepressants