"New Generation" is the third and final single from English rock band

Suede Suede (pronounced ) is a type of leather with a fuzzy, napped finish, commonly used for jackets, shoes, Textile, fabrics, Handbag, purses, furniture, and other items. Suede is made from the underside of the animal skin, which is softer and m ...

's second album, '' Dog Man Star'' (1994). The song was released on 30 January 1995 through

Nude Records Nude Records is an independent record label, established in August 1991 in London. The label was set up and operated by Saul Galpern, who had previously worked with artists such as Simply Red, The Fall, Julian Cope, The Triffids, The Slits ...

and was the first single to feature music by new guitarist Richard Oakes. Though the title track is written by Anderson and departed guitarist

Bernard Butler Bernard Joseph Butler (born 1 May 1970) is an English musician, songwriter and record producer. He has been hailed by some critics as the greatest guitarist of his generation; BBC journalist Mark Savage called him "one of Britain's most origina ...

, Oakes contributes to "Together" and "Bentswood Boys". The single reached 21 on the UK Singles Chart.and No.1 on the Indie Chart

Critical reception

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'' wrote: "Brett Anderson, the Bowie of the new generation, excels with a glittering pop song. The voice is put nicely upfront in the production; horns are in the back under layers of guitar." Steve Smith of '' The Press and Journal'' rated the single four stars out of five, writing: "another one destined to be a hit for a group still in their early years. Brett Anderson is his usual self on vocals – brilliant." Emma Cochrane of ''

Smash Hits ''Smash Hits'' was a British music magazine aimed at young adults, originally published by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006, and, after initially appearing monthly, was issued fortnightly during most of that time. The name survived as a brand ...

'' also rated the single four out of five, and called it a "catchy ‘90s anthem" and a "masterpiece." Craig Fitzsimons of ''

Hot Press ''Hot Press'' is a monthly music and politics magazine based in Dublin, Ireland, founded in June 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. History ''Hot Press'' was founded in June 1977 by Niall Stokes, who cont ...

'' concurred, writing: "Suede do have one thing in their favour – unerringly catchy, hook-filled songs you can actually hum along to." Keith Cameron of ''

NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a "Rock music, rock inkie", the ''NME'' would be ...

'' said that "New Generation" is "the best song by several leagues on the indigestibly overcooked ''Dog Man Star''." Though he considered "Together" to be "the pick of the pair." ''

Melody Maker ''Melody Maker'' was a British weekly music magazine, one of the world's earliest music weeklies; according to its publisher, IPC Media, the earliest. In January 2001, it was merged into "long-standing rival" (and IPC Media sister publicatio ...

s Holly Hernandez made comparisons to Bowie, saying "'New Generation' seems hopelessly and shamelessly ' Ashes to Ashes' while "Together" is "so unbelievably steeped in Major Tom." On the latter she wrote: "Brett's familiar warble takes on a layer of kitsch, sixties space-age distortion; Richard's guitar quivers and flits around it, and the whole thing is pumped up by outrageous rocket-launching synth."

Music video

The video for the title song was directed by Richard Heslop, and features the whole band playing in a crowded room surrounded by broken television sets and dilapidated furniture, while a group of children dance or sit around. "New Generation" was the only video from the "Dog Man Star" era where Richard Oakes 'mimes' Bernard Butler's guitar part. It is also notable for its sepia format.

Track listings

All songs were written by

Brett Anderson Brett Lewis Anderson (born 29 September 1967) is an English singer best known as the lead singer and primary lyricist of the band Suede. After Suede disbanded in 2003, he fronted the Tears with former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler in 2004� ...

and

except where noted. UK CD1 and 12-inch single # "New Generation" # "Together" (Anderson, Richard Oakes) # "Bentswood Boys" (Anderson, Oakes) UK CD2 # "New Generation" # " Animal Nitrate" (live) # " The Wild Ones" (live) # "Pantomime Horse" (live) UK cassette single and European CD single # "New Generation" – 4:32 # "Together" – 4:31 European maxi-CD single # "New Generation" # "Together" (Anderson, Oakes) # "Bentswood Boys" (Anderson, Oakes) # "Animal Nitrate" (live) Japanese CD single # "New Generation" # "Together" (Anderson, Oakes) # "Bentswood Boys" (Anderson, Oakes) # "The Wild Ones" (live) # "Pantomime Horse" (live) # "Asda Town" (Anderson)

Release history

References

{{Authority control Suede (band) songs 1995 singles Song recordings produced by Ed Buller Songs written by Bernard Butler Songs written by Brett Anderson UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles