Much like the real world, the universe of If Anything, Suspicious is as bleak as it is beautiful, as desolate as it is comforting. The brainchild of Anders Fridén, it’s a project that distills his feelings into soothing yet ominous soundscapes that are a simultaneous reflection of, and escape from, the harsh realities of day-to-existence. Fridén, of course, is best known as the vocalist of influential Swedish heavy metallers In Flames, the band he’s fronted since joining in 1995. While heavy metal has always been his biggest passion, after discovering Depeche Mode at a young age, he’s also always had a concurrent interest in electronic music. So much so, in fact, that he’s been dabbling with synths as a personal hobby for the past eight or so years whenever he had a spare moment away from the band. Recently, he was finally able to really lean into it. “I love heavy metal and always will,” he says, “but I wanted to challenge myself, my musical tastes, and what I do with music. Everything I want from metal I get from In Flames, so this was a chance for me to start over from scratch.” I want you to come along with me on this journey, but I also want you to create your own story with the music.” -Anders Fridén