Suzi Quatro, the undisputed Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, is back with her nineteenth studio album, Freedom. Known for her no-nonsense attitude, a bass guitar that is almost as big as she is, and her trademark leather jumpsuits, you might think that is all there is to Miss Q [as if that was not enough]. But do not be fooled.
Suzi Quatro – Freedom
Release Date: 27 March 2026
Words: Mark Rotherham
Whether Suzi Quatro is doing albums of cover versions, collaborations with Andy Scott (The Sweet) and Don Powell (Slade), or duets with KT Tunstall, she is an ever-changing musical revelation. So, when I was given Suzi Quatro’s latest album to review, I really did wonder what I would be getting.
It did not take me long to figure it out, and it all came down to one word: blues and Freedom is an absolutely brilliant, whiskey-reeking fireball of blues rock.
It all starts with the title track, old school rock ‘n’ roll complete with a harmonica intro that slaps you around the face like a rawhide saddlebag filled with gold nuggets. As you would expect from someone steeped in Detroit heritage, there are plenty of automobile references.
I am also loving those “the girl can’t help it” backing vocals. This is foot-tapping, feel-good entertainment, along with a dripping, dirty guitar solo that can do no wrong. Feel good? Feel great.
Next up is Little Miss Lovely, guaranteed to get you up on your feet and rocking around your living room from the very first riff. The lyrics certainly do not describe a Little Miss Lovely, and it is everything that good rock ‘n’ roll should be. It’s fast, it does not take itself seriously, and it is all sung with a wink and a smile. If there was ever any doubt that Suzi Q is just as badass as she ever was, doubt no more.
Choose Yourself is a more mellow track, but it follows a similar theme on this album, that of choosing your own road. The lyrics really hit you between the eyes, and the production on this album has that great, basic, garage feel, as though it was recorded in a barn on ’60s equipment. It sounds amazing. In a world of digital perfection, it is an inspired breath of fresh air.
Gutter blues never sounded so good as it does on Goin’ Down. For anyone expecting Suzi Quatro to be glam rock and nothing else, get ready to be amazed, she has got blues blood running through her veins, and setting fire to every one of the twelve bars she chooses to play.
Spoiler alert: Freedom is blues-rock, and nothing else. Bothered? Hell no.
Hanging Over Me is another foot-tapping, whisky-soaked, fast blues jolt of lightning that will burn you up brighter than a Christmas tree. That five o’clock shadow hanging over Suzi has got no chance of beating her down.
One of the things that is so great about this album is the relatability of the lyrics. Each song is telling you something, and you get it straight away.
Here’s Ya Boots is all about showing that particular someone the door, with absolutely no apology or regret. It is a moment that all of us can identify with at least once in our lives, and if you want to know what to say when that time comes, all you gotta do is quote Suzi’s words, and you will be so much happier for it.
The theme of relationships gone wrong continues with Can’t Let It Go, a slow-hand blues tune that drips anger at an unworthy partner. This is a real cathartic song, getting all of your frustrations out in the open and off your chest.
This album is just chock full of some of the most addictive and driving blues you will ever hear, really proving the point that it does not need to be complicated to be thoroughly entertaining.
If you want a story that’s got Suzi’s personal story all over it, then look no further than Nobody Held My Hand. Single-handed, single-minded determination runs through this song like a diabolical stick of rock forged in hellfire.
It celebrates a hard-won success without any help from anyone else. Like every other song on this album, it gives a powerful message that is impossible to mistake. There are absolutely no pretensions anywhere on this album, and it’s simply a joy to hear.
We would all agree that you cannot be a rock fan without being a bit of a rebel, and so we would all identify with Shakedown, a song about defiance, about calling an injustice out for what it is, and not giving in.
The single-minded blues focus of this album manages to achieve its objective without sounding repetitive, without sounding tired. It is fresh and appealing, while at the same time it is also sleazy and edgy, and that is a very hard mix to achieve.
When you listen to Take It Or Leave It, you can just imagine Suzi riding into town astride her chopper motorbike. There are no affectations here, no acts and no illusions. Suzi is Suzi, take her as she is, or just walk on by.
And with one eye on Suzi’s upcoming tour, I can tell you that there is not a single song on this album that could not make it to a live set list and set the place on fire.
It has been said time and again that Suzi Quatro has been a real standard bearer for breaking down the barriers for women musicians, and Woman’s Song is an anthem for all women, celebrating everything that is good and great about one half of the world’s population.
The theme of freedom is no clearer than in this song, unapologetically playing it loud and proud for the sisterhood.
When Suzi drops an F bomb, she can even offend Alice Cooper. And that is exactly what happens on Kick Out The Jams, a cover of the MC5 song, duetted with the one and only Alice Cooper. What could possibly go wrong? Nothing, that’s what.
This is a fast-paced version of the original that takes no prisoners. It sits perfectly along the blues tracks found elsewhere on this album, having the same rough, very rough-around-the-edges production. And that is not in any way critical, because it matches the feel of these songs perfectly.
Suzi and Alice are clearly having an absolute ball with this track, a merciless Detroit combination of sleaze and attitude, all in one song. And you knew it, Alice just had to mention school.
The curve ball is saved right til the end, with It All Comes Down To You.
It is a bonus track, and it’s the only one that is not blues at all. It is very eclectic, and if I were to describe it, I would say it’s kind of heavy disco, if there is such a thing. It is very different to everything else on the album, but a very interesting change, not in any way expected.
So there it is, Freedom, by Suzi Quatro, and it is one full, flaming, sour-mash, double-barrelled injection of some of the most grimy, gain-filled, foot-tapping blues rock that you will ever have the pleasure to hear.
This album will put a smile on your face quicker than being given a pay rise, a permanent vacation and the keys to your own brewery, all at once.
Enjoy.
Suzi Quatro releases Freedom on 27 March 2026. Pre-orders and more details can be found at s.disco.ac/ivqzlfthkmlm.
