UK Britpop royalty SUEDE aren’t coming to America anytime soon, but we’re still left with a sterling new record that’s held up nicely since its March release. Following the success of singles “Barriers” and “It Starts And Ends With You” is third offering “Hit Me,” a riffy romper track that brings back Brett Anderson’s trademark “la la la’s” and lyrical wordplay. The video features some mindful museum destruction, evoking memories of previous clip “Can’t Get Enough” even has some throwback slow-motion Suede video feel. In fact I’m catching a real Head Music-era visual vibe to it.
“Hit Me,” the song itself, is sorta the kindred spirit to Coming Up’s “Beautiful Ones,” in my opinion; both are the sixth track off their respective records, Richard Oakes’ guitar line has the same feel, and it’s that rocker track that re-kickstarts its record after a few slower turns — for Coming Up, it’s “By The Sea” and “She”; for Bloodsports, it’s the record’s two finest tracks, “Sabotage” and “For The Strangers.” Expect one of the latter two to be Suede’s next single; they’ve proven they can still glam it up, by their balladry is just as strong in 2013. And hell, we’re all older now, anyway.
RELATED: Read my interview with Brett Anderson in the Boston Phoenix, my last published piece for the deceased alt-weekly [March 11, 2013]