On their ninth album, Suede continue to stake out territory they've made their own since 1996's Coming Up. That album was the first after the departure of Bernard Butler, and the first with guitarist Richard Oakes, and the sound was fiery if more mannered. The singles were sharp, and here in 2022, Oakes, Brett Anderson, Neil Codling, Mat Osman, and Simon Gilbert are still masters of a kind of Britpop utterly their's to rule.
Autofiction opens with the rush of "She Still Leads Me On", the first single here. Before ending in feedback, the cut thrills, Anderson delivering the goods here and pouring himself into the emotions of the track. Elsewhere, "15 Again" has the widescreen passion of some of the best numbers from the earlier Bloodsports. The churn of instruments here is reasonably effective, but it's Anderson's vocals and the keyboards which really drive this one into the heart of the sun. "The Boy on the Stage" has a bit of a swagger to it, but it's not quite as affecting as this group's usual approach to a track that sounds like it's meant to be a single.
Where Autofiction works best are the passages where Suede add texture and depth to their earlier, flashier apporach. "Drive Myself Home" eases in on a mood similar to "Still Life", the epic from 1994's Dog Man Star. Thankfully, Anderson can still sell this sort of thing, conjuring up a feeling like Bowie did on Station to Station. There's real elegance here, and Suede always understood how to make intimate music on a big, big scale. Upcoming U.S. tour dates with Manic Street Preachers make perfect sense as both bands have grown older and continued to embrace their own strengths at mass communicating the most intense of personal feelings and emotions. It helps too that Autofiction finds Suede working again with producer Ed Buller. He creates a mood here that provides a deep background for the band to move around in, with "What Am I Without You" even being a bit lush and symphonic.
It's admirable that Suede have such energy after 30 years. This line-up has necessarily adapted their sound to suit themselves and their strengths. Things don't sound like "Animal Nitrate" all the time, but that's good. There's maturity and nuance here, a richer approach even, and the players sound self-assured when they catch fire, and engaged when things turn more contemplative. Autofiction worked for me then. I still love this band.
Autofiction is out on Friday.
For more details on Suede, including upcoming U.S. tour dates, check out the official website.
[Photo: Dean Chalkley]