Sony Music Entertainment Australia

Release Date: February 23rd 2024

Reviewed by: Joshua Andre

Guy Sebastian– Antidote (feat. Sam Fischer) (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

1. Antidote (feat. Sam Fischer)

Guy Sebastian has always been someone that seems to be a down-to-earth person. After winning Australian Idol back in 2003, the pop singer has released a steady stream of albums and hit singles, culminating in the release of T.R.U.T.H. in 2020 in the middle of COVID-19. We blogged about Guy a number of years ago and we also reviewed his most recent album. Everything that Jon has mentioned about Guy is something that I agree with. This is only from observation from interviews, but he seems to be a relaxed guy and someone who is level-headed- and that is someone rare in the music industry. I’m guessing that it’s time for another album from Guy soon (because perhaps 3-4 years between albums is a big on the long-ish side!), but until such a time as when Guy unveils another album, here we are with the brand new single of “Antidote”, and inspirational/quasi-worship song sung with fellow Aussie artist Sam Fischer.

Every now and then a song comes out of a writing session that truly feels like it’s from somewhere else. I’ve been wanting to work with Sam Fischer for a long time and while I knew we would create something special, nothing prepared me for Antidote.

In my Sydney studio, Sam, myself and my two talented mates Ned Houston and Cyrus Villanueva talked about how much music has been our place of refuge throughout all of the highs and lows. For us this song is an ode to music, but we wrote it so that everyone who listens to it will think about their own antidote. Sometimes it’s a person, a thing, a pet, faith etc.. the antidote that always picks you up from the bottom. I’ve never worked for so long on a song – getting the production right was a mountain to climb. Despite this I still get the same chills as the first listen and I hope you guys love it as much as we do.

Sam and I had been talking about how music had shaped – and pretty much saved – our lives from such a young age, so we made this song about music being an antidote for us. Music is that central thing that pulls me back – all the time – into this place of feeling safe and grounded. I know I’ll always have my music and will continue to share it as long as there are ears that want to hear it. The thing that excites me the most is that the listener will have their own “antidote” and make it their story. Having our fans be able to be the main character in our songs is the thing that excites me most as a songwriter.

The song is pretty self-explanatory, with Guy outlining that he owes his life and his everything to this ‘antidote’, and so does Sam. The music video feels like a worship/gospel song with it being filmed in a church; and it really wouldn’t be out of the question if Guy released a worship or hymns album one day. But as Guy has said earlier in the above interviews the song can mean anything to anyone, and that’s the beauty of music; and that’s the power of God working through music- to draw people closer to Himself. And as for when Guy releases new music in the form of a new album again; I guarantee you that it will be just as good as T.R.U.T.H. and hopefully better, judging from how “Antidote” and “I Choose Good” sound. Guy is a guy who has lasted 20-odd years in the music industry. Will he do another 10 years, 20, 30, as much as John Farnham? Will he re-record his music like Taylor Swift or Switchfoot? Will he release a Christmas album? It’s anyone’s guess. But in listening to Guy’s music and his discography, you can do no wrong. In some ways, if you’re listening to Guy Sebastian sing his heart out, then you definitely ‘chose good’ in hearing what some would describe as a healing ‘antidote’! Well done Guy, I can’t wait to hear what’s in store for you in the future!

Score: 5/5

RIYL: Delta Goodrem, Johnny Farnham, Newsboys, Matthew West, Kelly Clarkson