In Search of the Antidote explained

In Search of the Antidote
Type:studio
Artist:Fletcher
Cover:Fletcher - In Search of the Antidote.png
Alt:In red caps "ANTIDOTE" over a woman's calm face, partially covered by long brown hair blowing from her right side.
Length:31:20
Label:Capitol
Producer:
Prev Title:Girl of My Dreams
Prev Year:2022

In Search of the Antidote is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Fletcher. It was released on March 22, 2024, through Capitol Records.[1]

Background

In Search of the Antidote explores themes of "identity, insecurity, ego, and self-fulfillment", containing "distinct production" as well as "powerful vocal delivery".[2] A "personal" record, Fletcher acts as the "creative pivot"[3] and examines the singer's "ultra-vivid storytelling and unfiltered introspection". Talking about the topic, Fletcher revealed that she had been looking for "the antidote in so many things" over the years, such as "women, the road, the stage, fans, spirituality and self-reflection".[4] Making of the album begged the question of "what would truly heal" her, ultimately realizing that "love is the antidote".[5] However, it was not until this record that she would see love "through all the different lenses and angles" and discover its "infinite manifestations", which would turn out to be her meaning of In Search of the Antidote.[6]

Release and promotion

Fletcher released the song "Eras of Us" on December 8, 2023.[7] The song was released as a digital single with an accompanying music video, and the singer later revealed she was inspired to make the song after attending Taylor Swift's concert tour The Eras Tour.[8]

On January 24, 2024, Fletcher announced the title of the album, and it was revealed that "Eras of Us" would be included on the album. In the album announcement, Fletcher also shared the song "Lead Me On" would be the next pre-release single. The singer released "Lead Me On" and the song's music video on January 25, 2024.

"Doing Better", the album's third pre-release single, was released on March 1, and Rolling Stone described the single as Fletcher "being real with herself" and "taking accountability for her ego."[9] In June 2024, "Doing Better" was included in Rolling Stone's The Best Songs of 2024 So Far[10] .

In the weeks leading up to the release of In Search of the Antidote, Fletcher took part in interviews on the Zach Sang Show and with Zane Lowe for Apple Music.[11] Additionally, she made a television appearance performing "Pretending," the album's fourth single, on The Kelly Clarkson Show.[12]

In Search of the Antidote debuted at number three in the US Billboard Top Album Sales charts[13] .

Critical reception

In Search of the Antidote received generally favorable reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received a weighted average score of 72, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Narzra Ahmed in Clash described the album as "heavily produced, but in the best possible way" and complimented the album's "indie feel".[14] Eryn Murphy with Euphoria Magazine gave In Search of the Antidote four out of five stars and called the album a "transparent pop journey".[15] In a five-star review, Neive McCarthy with Dork wrote that "Fletcher delivers her truths and lessons with some of her most electric tracks yet" on In Search of the Antidote.[16] Conversely, Ben Siegel in Riff Magazine wrote that the album's production only "occasionally succeeds" while praising Fletcher's vocals and lyrics, concluding the album contains "some fantastic moments".[17]

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[18] 66

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aramesh . Waiss . 2024-03-16 . Fletcher Worried She Might Have to Quit Music. Now, She's Healing in More Ways Than One . 2024-08-12 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  2. Web site: Fletcher Announces New Album In Search of the Antidote, Sets Debut of New Single & Video for "Lead Me On". Ramos. Dino-Ray. Glaad. January 24, 2024. January 30, 2024.
  3. Web site: Fletcher Announces New Album In Search of the Antidote. Murray. Robin. Clash. January 25, 2024. January 30, 2024.
  4. Web site: Fletches shares driving new single "Lead Me On", announces new album. Ordonez. Eli. NME. January 30, 2024. January 30, 2024.
  5. Web site: Fletcher has announced her second album In Search of the Antidote. Ackroyd. Stephen. Dork. January 25, 2024. January 30, 2024.
  6. Web site: Fletcher announces new album In Search of the Antidote. Carter. Daisy. DIY. January 25, 2024. January 30, 2024.
  7. Web site: Raza-Sheikh . Zoya . 2023-12-08 . Fletcher returns with brand new single Eras Of Us . 2024-08-12 . GAY TIMES . en-GB.
  8. Web site: Raza-Sheikh . Zoya . 2023-12-08 . Fletcher returns with brand new single Eras Of Us . 2024-03-29 . GAY TIMES . en-GB.
  9. Mier . Tomás . 2024-03-01 . Fletcher Calls Herself (and Her Ego) Out on Single 'Doing Better' . 2024-03-29 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  10. Stone . Rolling . 2024-06-12 . The Best Songs of 2024 So Far . 2024-07-07 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  11. FLETCHER: 'In Search of the Antidote', Songwriting & Saturn Return Apple Music . en . 2024-03-29 . www.youtube.com.
  12. Watch The Kelly Clarkson Show - Official Website Clip: FLETCHER Performs 'Pretending' On The Kelly Clarkson Show - NBC.com . en-US . 2024-07-07 . www.nbc.com.
  13. Caulfield . Keith . 2024-04-03 . Fletcher's 'In Search of the Antidote' Debuts at No. 3 on Top Album Sales Chart . 2024-07-07 . Billboard . en-US.
  14. Web site: Ahmed . Narzra . March 21, 2024 . Fletcher – In Search Of The Antidote . March 28, 2024.
  15. Web site: Murphy . Eryn . March 25, 2024 . FLETCHER - In Search of the Antidote . March 28, 2024.
  16. Web site: McCarthy . Neive . 2024-03-20 . Fletcher – In Search Of The Antidote . 2024-03-29 . Dork . en-US.
  17. Web site: Siegel . Ben . 2024-03-18 . Album Review: Fletcher almost soars while In Search of the Antidote . 2024-03-29 . Riff Magazine . en-US.
  18. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 1 April 2024. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1778. 6. April 1, 2024.