In Search of the Antidote

{{Use American English|date=January 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox album | name = In Search of the Antidote | type = studio | artist = [[Fletcher (singer)|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. | released = {{start date|2024|3|22}} | recorded = * Lakehouse ([[Asbury Park, New Jersey|Asbury Park]]) * M&S ([[Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles|Sherman Oaks]]) * Beach Tree (Los Angeles) * The Element Lab (Los Angeles) * Kinetics & One Love (Los Angeles) * Opus ([[Long Island, New York|Long Island]])<ref name="liner" /> | studio = | genre = | length = 31:20 | label = [[Capitol Records|Capitol]] | producer = * [[Jon Bellion]] * [[Jennifer Decilveo]] * [[German (record producer)|German]] * [[The Monsters & Strangerz]] * [[Pete Nappi]] * [[One Love (record producer)|One Love]] | prev_title = [[Girl of My Dreams (album)|Girl of My Dreams]] | prev_year = 2022 | next_title = [[Would You Still Love Me If You Really Knew Me?]] | next_year = 2025 | misc = {{Singles | name = In Search of the Antidote | type = Studio | single1 = Eras of Us | single1date = December 8, 2023 | single2 = Lead Me On | single2date = January 25, 2024 | single3 = Doing Better | single3date = March 1, 2024 }} }}

'''''In Search of the Antidote''''' is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter [[Fletcher (singer)|Fletcher]]. It was released on March 22, 2024, through [[Capitol Records]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Aramesh |first=Waiss |date=2024-03-16 |title=Fletcher Worried She Might Have to Quit Music. Now, She's Healing in More Ways Than One |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/fletcher-illness-new-album-in-search-of-the-antidote-1234977624/ |access-date=2024-08-12 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> It explores themes of identity, ego, insecurity, and self-fulfillment, inspired by the artist's search for healing and meaning through love. Fletcher described the project as deeply personal, shaped by unfiltered introspection and her experiences with self-reflection and connection. ''In Search of the Antidote'' was preceded by several singles, including "Eras of Us", "Lead Me On", and "Doing Better". It debuted at number three on the [[Billboard Top Album Sales|''Billboard'' Top Album Sales]] chart.

''In Search of the Antidote'' received generally favorable reviews from critics, earning a [[Metacritic]] score of 72. While some praised its production quality, emotional depth, and vocal performance, others felt the album's impact was inconsistent, though they acknowledged standout moments throughout.

==Background== ''In Search of the Antidote'' explores themes of "[[Identity formation|identity]], [[Emotional security|insecurity]], [[Egoism|ego]], and [[self-fulfillment]]", containing "distinct production" as well as "powerful vocal delivery".<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://glaad.org/fletcher-announces-new-album-in-search-of-the-antidote-sets-debut-of-new-single-video-for-lead-me-on/|title=Fletcher Announces New Album ''In Search of the Antidote'', Sets Debut of New Single & Video for "Lead Me On"|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Ray|website=[[Glaad]]|date=January 24, 2024|access-date=January 30, 2024}}</ref> A "personal" record, Fletcher acts as the "creative pivot"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/fletcher-announces-new-album-in-search-of-the-antidote/|title=Fletcher Announces New Album ''In Search of the Antidote''|last=Murray|first=Robin|website=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|date=January 25, 2024|access-date=January 30, 2024}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/fletcher-new-single-lead-me-on-announces-album-in-search-of-the-antidote-3579028|title=Fletches shares driving new single "Lead Me On", announces new album|last=Ordonez|first=Eli|website=[[NME]]|date=January 30, 2024|access-date=January 30, 2024}}</ref> Making of the album begged the question of "what would truly heal" her, ultimately realizing that "love is the antidote".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://readdork.com/news/fletcher-second-album-in-search-of-the-antidote/|title=Fletcher has announced her second album ''In Search of the Antidote''|last=Ackroyd|first=Stephen|website=[[Dork (magazine)|Dork]]|date=January 25, 2024|access-date=January 30, 2024}}</ref> 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''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://diymag.com/news/fletcher-new-album-in-search-of-the-antidote|title=Fletcher announces new album ''In Search of the Antidote''|last=Carter|first=Daisy|website=[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]|date=January 25, 2024|access-date=January 30, 2024}}</ref>

==Marketing and commercial performance== Fletcher released the song "Eras of Us" on December 8, 2023.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Raza-Sheikh |first=Zoya |date=2023-12-08 |title=Fletcher returns with brand new single Eras Of Us |url=https://www.gaytimes.com/music/fletcher-returns-with-emotional-new-single-eras-of-us/ |access-date=2024-08-12 |magazine=[[Gay Times]]}}</ref> The song was released as a digital single with an accompanying music video, and she later revealed she was inspired to make the song after attending American singer [[Taylor Swift]]'s concert tour, [[the Eras Tour]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Raza-Sheikh |first=Zoya |date=2023-12-08 |title=Fletcher returns with brand new single Eras Of Us |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/music/fletcher-returns-with-emotional-new-single-eras-of-us/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |magazine=[[Gay Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />

In the album announcement, Fletcher also shared the song "Lead Me On" would be the next pre-release single. Its music video was unveiled on January 25.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}} "Doing Better", the album's third pre-release single, was released on March 1.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=2024-03-01 |title=Fletcher Calls Herself (and Her Ego) Out on Single 'Doing Better' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fletcher-drops-doing-better-single-antidote-1234979266/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> In June 2024, the song was included in ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s the Best Songs of 2024 So Far.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2024-06-12 |title=The Best Songs of 2024 So Far |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-2024-so-far-1235031994/ |access-date=2024-07-07 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> In the weeks leading up to the release of ''In Search of the Antidote'', Fletcher took part in interviews on the ''[[Zach Sang|Zach Sang Show]]'' and with [[Zane Lowe]] for Apple Music.<ref>{{Cite AV media |author=Apple Music |author-link=Apple Music |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylpa7yGdP3E |title=Fletcher: 'In Search of the Antidote', Songwriting & Saturn Return |format=Video |date=March 22, 2024 |access-date=2024-03-29 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> She also made a television appearance performing "Pretending" on ''[[The Kelly Clarkson Show]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.nbc.com/the-kelly-clarkson-show/video/fletcher-performs-pretending-on-the-kelly-clarkson-show/ACCN361541800 |title=Watch The Kelly Clarkson Show - Official Website Clip: Fletcher Performs 'Pretending' On The Kelly Clarkson Show |access-date=2024-07-07 |format=Video |publisher=[[NBC]]}}</ref>

''In Search of the Antidote'' debuted at number three in the US [[Billboard Top Album Sales|''Billboard'' Top Album Sales]] charts.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=2024-04-03 |title=Fletcher's 'In Search of the Antidote' Debuts at No. 3 on Top Album Sales Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/fletcher-in-search-of-the-antidote-top-album-sales-chart-1235647976/ |access-date=2024-07-07 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | MC = 72/100<ref name="MC1">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/in-search-of-the-antidote/fletcher |title=''In Search of the Antidote'' by Fletcher |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=28 May 2024}}</ref> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = 7/10<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-search-of-the-antidote-mw0004201276/ |title=Fletcher – ''In Search of the Antidote'' |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |last=Donelson |first=Marcy |year=c. 2024 |access-date=May 28, 2024}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' | rev2score = 8/10<ref name="Clash">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/fletcher-in-search-of-the-antidote/|title=Fletcher – ''In Search of the Antidote'' {{!}} Reviews|magazine=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|last=Garner|first=Narza|date=March 21, 2024|access-date=May 28, 2024}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Dork (magazine)|Dork]]'' | rev3score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Dork">{{cite magazine |url=https://readdork.com/albums/fletcher-in-search-of-the-antidote/ |title=Fletcher – ''In Search of the Antidote'' |magazine=[[Dork (magazine)|Dork]] |last=Young |first=Martyn |date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 22, 2022}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]'' | rev4score = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/fletcher-in-search-of-the-antidote-|title=Fletcher embraces the chaos of catharsis on ''In Search of the Antidote'' |magazine=[[The Line of Best Fit]] |last=Savage |first=Emily |date=March 22, 2024 |access-date=May 28, 2024}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Riff Magazine'' | rev5score = 6/10<ref name="Riff" /> }}

At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, ''In Search of the Antidote'' received a weighted average score of 72, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MC1" />

In a review for [[AllMusic]], Marcy Donelson wrote that while her lyrics would be heard sometimes "cringy" and "bratty", the album's "raw vulnerability" is crucial. In concluding her review, the author stated: "''In Search of the Antidote'' followed ''Girl of My Dreams'' into the Top 40".<ref name="AllMusic" /> Narzra Ahmed of ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' described the album as "heavily produced, but in the best possible way" and complimented the album's "indie feel".<ref name="Clash" /> ''[[Dork (magazine)|Dork]]''{{'}}s Neive McCarthy wrote that "Fletcher delivers her truths and lessons with some of her most electric tracks yet" on the record.<ref name="Dork" /> Conversely, ''Riff Magazine'' author Ben Siegel believed that the album's production only "occasionally succeeds" while praising Fletcher's vocals and lyrics, concluding the album contains "some fantastic moments".<ref name="Riff">{{Cite magazine |last=Siegel |first=Ben |date=2024-03-18 |title=Album Review: Fletcher almost soars while ''In Search of the Antidote'' |url=https://riffmagazine.com/album-reviews/fletcher-in-search-of-the-antidote/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |magazine=Riff Magazine}}</ref>

==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''In Search of the Antidote'' track listing<ref name="liner" /> | extra_column = Producer(s) | total_length = 31:20

| title1 = Maybe I Am | length1 = 2:44 | writer1 = {{hlist|[[Fletcher (singer)|Cari Fletcher]]|[[Jordan K. Johnson]]|[[Stefan Johnson]]|[[Michael Pollack (songwriter)|Michael Pollack]]|[[Aldae|Gregory Aldae Hein]]|[[German (record producer)|Oliver Peterhof]]}} | extra1 = {{hlist|[[The Monsters & Strangerz]]|[[German (record producer)|German]]|S. Johnson{{ref|v|[v]}}}}

| title2 = Doing Better | length2 = 2:33 | writer2 = {{hlist|Fletcher|[[Jennifer Decilveo]]|[[One Love (record producer)|Timothy Sommers]]|[[Kinetics (rapper)|Jeremy Dussolliet]]|Mary Weitz}} | extra2 = {{hlist|Decilveo{{ref|p|[p]}}|[[One Love (record producer)|One Love]]{{ref|p|[p]}}}}

| title3 = Ego Talking | length3 = 2:23 | writer3 = {{hlist|Fletcher|Decilveo|[[Pete Nappi]]|[[Madison Love]]|[[Julia Michaels]]}} | extra3 = {{hlist|Decilveo{{ref|p|[p]}}|Nappi{{ref|p|[p]}}|[[Colin Brittain]]{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| title4 = Lead Me On | writer4 = {{hlist|Fletcher|J. Johnson|S. Johnson|[[Jon Bellion]]|Nappi|Pollack |Hein|Jason Cornet}} | extra4 = {{hlist|The Monsters & Strangerz|Bellion|Nappi{{ref|p|[p]}}}} | length4 = 2:53

| title5 = Two Things Can Be True | length5 = 2:45 | writer5 = {{hlist|Fletcher|Decilveo|Michaels}} | extra5 = Decilveo{{ref|p|[p]}}

| title6 = Eras of Us | writer6 = {{hlist|Fletcher|Decilveo|Sommers|Dussolliet}} | extra6 = {{hlist|Decilveo{{ref|p|[p]}}|One Love{{ref|p|[p]}}}} | length6 = 2:48

| title7 = Attached to You | writer7 = {{hlist|Fletcher|Decilveo|Michaels}} | extra7 = Decilveo{{ref|p|[p]}} | length7 = 2:36

| title8 = Crush | writer8 = {{hlist|Fletcher|Decilveo|Sommers|Weitz}} | extra8 = {{hlist|Decilveo{{ref|p|[p]}}|One Love{{ref|p|[p]}}}} | length8 = 2:24

| title9 = Pretending | writer9 = {{hlist|Fletcher|Bellion|Nappi|Hein}} | extra9 = {{hlist|Bellion|Nappi{{ref|p|[p]}}}} | length9 = 3:02

| title10 = Joyride | writer10 = {{hlist|Fletcher|Decilveo|Sommers|Dussolliet}} | extra10 = {{hlist|Decilveo{{ref|p|[p]}}|One Love{{ref|p|[p]}}}} | length10 = 3:04

| title11 = Antidote | writer11 = {{hlist|Fletcher|Bellion|Nappi|Hein|Cornet}} | extra11 = {{hlist|Bellion|Nappi{{ref|p|[p]}}}} | length11 = 4:08 }}

===Notes=== * {{sup|{{note|p|[p]}}}} signifies a primary and vocal producer. * {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies an additional producer. * {{sup|{{note|v|[v]}}}} signifies a vocal producer.

==Personnel== Credits were adapted from the album's [[liner notes]].<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes |title=In Search of the Antidote |others=[[Fletcher (singer)|Fletcher]] |date=March 22, 2024 |publisher=[[Capitol Records]]}}</ref>

===Musicians=== * [[Fletcher (singer)|Fletcher]] – vocals * [[Jordan K. Johnson]] – drums, keyboards, [[Programming (music)|programming]], instruments (tracks 1, 4) * [[Stefan Johnson]] – drums, keyboards, programming, instruments (1, 4) * [[German (record producer)|Oliver Peterhof]] – drums, keyboards, programming, instruments (1) * Pierre Lux-Rioux – guitars (1) * [[Jennifer Decilveo]] – programming, instruments, synthesizer, bass, keyboards (2, 3, 5–8, 10); piano (5, 7) * Mike Squillante – guitars, bass, drums (2, 3, 6, 10) * [[One Love (record producer)|One Love]] – programming, instruments (2, 6, 8, 10) * [[Pete Nappi]] – programming, instruments (3, 9, 11); guitars (4, 9, 11), drums (9, 11) * [[Jon Bellion]] – background vocals, drums, programming, instruments (4, 9, 11) * David Levita – guitars (5, 7)

===Technical=== * [[Rob Kinelski]] – [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] * Eli Heisler – mixing assistance * Dale Becker – [[Mastering (audio)|mastering]] * Nick "Squids" Squillante – recording * Stefan Johnson – recording (1) * Jennifer Decilveo – recording (2, 3, 5–8, 10) * One Love – recording (2, 6, 8, 10) * Pete Nappi – recording (3, 4, 9, 11) * Katie Harvey – mastering assistance * Nate Mingo – mastering assistance * Brady Wortzel – recording assistance (1) * David "Dsilb" Silberstein – production coordination (1, 4) * Jeremy "Jboogs" Levin – production coordination (1, 4) * Christian "C" Johnson – production coordination (1, 4)

===Visuals=== * Tess Bjiero – creative direction, design * [[Sebastián Faena]] – photography * Ras Bartram – styling * Allie Smith – make-up * Edward Lampley – hair * Lizzy Oppenheimer – creative production * Dario Castillo – behind-the-scenes photography * Nick Steinhardt – art direction, type design * Patricia Gárate – creative lead

==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''In Search of the Antidote'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 1 April 2024|magazine=The ARIA Report|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|issue=1778|page=6|date=April 1, 2024}}</ref> | 66 |- {{album chart|Austria|74|artist=Fletcher %5BUS%5D|album=In Search of the Antidote|rowheader=true|access-date=May 1, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|14|artist=Fletcher %5BUS%5D|album=In Search of the Antidote|rowheader=true|access-date=March 31, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|55|artist=Fletcher %5BUS%5D|album=In Search of the Antidote|rowheader=true|access-date=March 31, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|34|artist=Fletcher %5BUS%5D|album=In Search of the Antidote|rowheader=true|access-date=March 30, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Germany|28|id=531161|artist=Fletcher|album=In Search of the Antidote|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2024}} |- {{album chart|New Zealand|23|artist=Fletcher %5BUS%5D|album=In Search of the Antidote|rowheader=true|access-date=May 1, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|5|date=20240329|rowheader=true|access-date=March 30, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|85|artist=Fletcher %5BUS%5D|album=In Search of the Antidote|rowheader=true|access-date=March 31, 2024}} |- {{album chart|UK2|26|date=20240329|rowheader=true|access-date=March 29, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|36|artist=Fletcher|rowheader=true|access-date=April 2, 2024}} |}

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:2024 albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Jennifer Decilveo]] [[Category:Albums produced by Jon Bellion]] [[Category:Albums produced by the Monsters & Strangerz]] [[Category:Capitol Records albums]] [[Category:Fletcher (singer) albums]]