Stay Together released

In February 1994, the band released the stand-alone single ” Stay Together “, which became their highest-charting single at the time, reaching number three in the UK. The single was backed by a collection of strong B-sides. However, the new expansive sound fractured the band and led to the departure of Butler. Despite the success of the single, the band has since distanced itself entirely from the song, an aversion usually attributed to issues with Butler at the time. In the aftermath of “Stay Together,” Anderson isolated himself in a house in Highgate and began writing songs for Suede’s next album. It was during this time that Anderson distanced himself from what was dubbed the “laddish Britpop movement”, even as he was considered one of it leading figures. Bands such as Blur , Oasis , and Pulp began to dominate the music scene, while Suede became more experimental and introverted. Tensions worsened during the recording of the album when Butler criticized Anderson in a rare interview, claiming that Anderson worked too slowly and was too concerned with rock stardom. Of Anderson, he said, “He’s not a musician at all. It’s very difficult for him to get around anything that isn’t ABC.”