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.[2] 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 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".[19]
Narzra Ahmed in Clash described the album as "heavily produced, but in the best possible way" and complimented the album's "indie feel".[20] Eryn Murphy with Euphoria Magazine gave In Search of the Antidote four out of five stars and called the album a "transparent pop journey".[21] 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.[22] 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".[23]
