Suede: Bloodsports

Suede’s artistic decline was always somewhat mysterious. It would be easy to pin it on the departure of guitarist and co-songwriter Bernard Butler following the band’s magisterial first two albums. However, the glam-tinged Coming Up, released after Butler’s exit and the addition of guitarist Richard Oakes and keyboardist Neil Codling, was actually quite brilliant.

On the seriously uneven Head Music (1999) and A New Morning (2002), Suede lacked the vitality that made them so essential in the first place, lending a flavour of unfinished business to the group. All the more reason, then, to celebrate the arrival of Bloodsports, on the back of Suede’s well-received live reunion.
Many of the classic Suede hallmarks are in place, from the inspired ambiguity of the sleeve, to the sense of dark romance that permeates the songs. Opening track and lead single ‘Barriers’ kicks the album off in exceptionally strong fashion, with the surging, anthemic feel immediately earning it a place in the canon of Suede classics. Anderson has said that the overarching story of Bloodsports tracks the progression (and it would appear, eventual disintegration) of a relationship, and the opening aims to capture the intoxicating feel of the early stages of love. ‘It Starts And Ends With You’ is an upbeat rocker with an infectious chorus, and features lines like, “I shout but it just spins faster / I crawl up but knees are water.”
Gradually, darker hues become apparent. ‘Sabotage’, one of strongest tracks, is a moody ballad with echoes of ‘Europe Is Our Playground’ and Dog Man Star’s unforgettable ‘The Asphalt World’, and finds Anderson ominously noting: “Her touch is like a raven’s shadow.” The swooning ‘For The Strangers’ has a dramatic, foreboding atmosphere, offset by an infectious “la la la” coda.
Elsewhere, ‘Snowblind’ bursts with kinetic energy, ‘Hit Me’ provides an adrenalised rush of glam-pop thrills and ‘What Are You Not Telling Me?’ finds the band getting into an ambient, experimental groove, as the album nears its murky conclusion.
On this evidence, Suede are still capable of providing dark thrills that put disciples like Interpol and Bloc Party into the shade.