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The Lost Tapes (Sugababes album)

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The Lost Tapes
Studio album by
Sugababes
Released24 December 2022
Recorded
  • November 2011 – 2014[1][2]
  • 2022
Genre
Length50:41
LabelSelf-released
Sugababes chronology
Sweet 7
(2010) 		The Lost Tapes
(2022)

The Lost Tapes is the eighth studio album by British girl group Sugababes and their first independent release. While work for the album dates back to 2011 when the original lineup reunited, the album remained unreleased until its 24 December 2022 digital release. The Lost Tapes is the second Sugababes album to feature the original lineup after 2000's One Touch. The deluxe version, which included an additional three tracks, was released digitally on 31 December 2022.

The Lost Tapes debuted at number two on the UK Digital Albums chart and number 13 on the UK Independent Albums Chart. Following their one-off show at the O2 in September 2023, the album reached a new peak of number 7 on the UK Independent Albums Chart, as well as charting at number 23 on the Scottish Albums Chart. The album debuted and peaked at number 150 on the UK Albums Chart.

Background

[edit]
British artist Dev Hynes (pictured) produced and co-wrote "Flatline".

In 2009, the line-up of the Sugababes featured Keisha Buchanan, Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah and they were gearing up for the release of their seventh album Sweet 7 in early 2010.[3] However, prior to the album's release, it was confirmed that Buchanan was leaving the group in September 2009, and she was subsequently replaced by Jade Ewen.[4] Shortly after original member Mutya Buena won the legal rights to use the name Sugababes under Class 16 of the EU Trademark Act, both Buena and Buchanan individually tweeted about recording in the studio. Buchanan said she was in the studio with "two other females" and British rapper Professor Green, while Buena separately tweeted "Tunnnnnnnnne! What a banger. I could pee myself with excitment lol but I won't. [sic]".[5] Both Buena and Buchanan denied that they were in the studio together and said that they were not working on music for the Sugababes,[6] with Buena saying: "No track [with] keisha or professor G he was around tha studio. im jus workin on my stuff @ tha moment. [sic]"[6] Despite this, Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé confirmed to MTV UK that she had written new songs for Buena, Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy, saying: "Yes, that is true. I've written for the original line-up of the Sugababes, which I'm very happy about because I just loved them when they first came out. I loved their sound, it was so cool. It was very different, so I'm happy to kind of be involved in what started the whole Sugababes journey. It sounds amazing."[7] The Lost Tapes is the second Sugababes album to feature the original lineup, after 2000's One Touch.[8]

In April 2012, it was reported that the line-up had signed a £1 million record deal with Polydor Records.[9] In July 2012, it was officially confirmed that the group had reformed under the name Mutya Keisha Siobhan and were writing songs for a new album under Polydor.[10] The group enlisted Naughty Boy, MNEK, Sia and Shaznay Lewis as collaborators for the album.[11] Speaking of working with the group, MNEK said, "I'd just turned 17 when Felix Howard messaged me to say that the original Sugababes are singing together again and I want you to write with them'. I wasn't gonna say no was I [sic]". According to the singer-producer, the song "Today" was supposed to be the first single. MNEK also worked on "Drum" and the song "Boys" with Richard "Biff" Stannard.[12]

The album's original title was reportedly The Sacred Three, after the band's comeback concert tour.[13] A song originally recorded for the album "Love in Stereo" went on to be recorded by Bananarama on their album In Stereo (2019).[14] Buchanan said in an interview that the group were working on new material after their previous work was leaked online.[15] Amongst the first songs to leak was a version of the song "Back in the Day" which sampled the song of the same name by Ahmad in February 2015.[16] A year later, several other songs leaked to varying degrees of finished production, including: "Boys", "Love in Stereo", "Today", "No Regrets", "Summer of '99", "Too in Love", "I'm Alright" and "Drum". Another song "Burn Out" also leaked, which was later reclaimed by its writer Tom Aspaul.[17] The group had also uploaded a song called "Lay Down in Swimming Pools" which sampled the Kendrick Lamar song "Swimming Pools (Drank)" to their SoundCloud account at the end of a studio session with Dev Hynes.[18] This song would later be re-recorded with new vocals and new instrumental to become The Lost Tapes' song "I Lay Down".

Music and lyrics

[edit]

The album includes '80s-inspired pop, which is most present on the single "Flatline", initially released in June 2013,[19][20] pop rock influences as seen on "Summer of '99", and elements of breakbeat, which is notable on songs such as "Today."[21]

The song "Boys" features on the album, which a short a cappella clip was uploaded of on Buchanan's YouTube account in January 2013. The clip quickly attracted attention, surpassing over 100,000 views. The same day, Popjustice released a three-second clip of the studio version of the single, calling it "simply amazing".[1] A handful of the songs included on the album, namely "I'm Alright", "Love Me Hard", "Today" and "No Regrets" were previously performed by the trio at their first official headline gig at the Scala nightclub on 1 August 2013.[22] "Flatline" and "Today" were amongst the songs performed throughout their various festival performances and headline tour in 2022.[23]

Promotion and release

[edit]

"Flatline" was originally released on 6 September 2013 under the Mutya Keisha Siobhan name through Polydor Records. The single was re-released on 9 June 2022 independently under the Sugababes name.[24] The Sugababes announced the surprise release of The Lost Tapes on social media, stating "We wrote this album almost 8 years ago and for various reasons it didn't get an official release, so it's with great pride that The Lost Tapes is available now on all streaming platforms".[2] The group confirmed that they had released the album independently, and were in control of its rollout.[25]

Tour

[edit]
Sugababes UK & Europe Tour
Tour by Sugababes
Location
  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
Associated albumThe Lost Tapes
Start date16 October 2022
End date20 September 2023
Legs2
No. of shows21
Supporting act(s)Kara Marni
Sugababes concert chronology
  • The Sacred Three Tour
    (2013)
  • Sugababes UK & Europe Tour
    (2022-2023)

Though not formally announced to promote The Lost Tapes, the Sugababes went on tour across the UK and some countries in Europe in October and November 2022 and September 2023. The group performed songs spanning nearly all of the line-ups and were supported by London singer Kara Marni.[26] The setlist also included songs "Today" and "Love Me Hard" from The Lost Tapes, which at the time of the tour were officially unreleased. According to Buchanan, former Sugababes members Range and Berrabah are supporting the group from afar.[26]

Set list

[edit]

The set list is taken from Norwich show at The Nick Rayns LCR, it is not intended to represent every date of the tour.[26]

  1. "Push the Button"
  2. "Red Dress"
  3. "Hole in the Head"
  4. "Too Lost in You"
  5. "Flatline"
  6. "2 Hearts"
  7. "Today"
  8. "Ugly"
  9. "Love Me Hard"
  10. "Stronger"
  11. "Same Old Story" (Interlude)
  12. "Overload"
  13. "Garage Medley"
  14. "Flowers" (Sweet Female Attitude cover)
  15. "Round Round"
  16. "Freak Like Me"
  17. "About You Now"

Commercial performance

[edit]

After five days of tracking, The Lost Tapes debuted at number two on the UK Album Downloads Chart and at number 13 on the UK Independent Albums Chart.[27][28] After the deluxe version of the album was released, the tracks "Back to Life", "Only You" and "Breathe Me" charted at numbers 49, 58 and 62, on the UK Singles Downloads Chart on 6 January 2023.[29]

Track listing

[edit]
The Lost Tapes – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Drum"
3:34
2."Flatline"
3:53
3."Love Me Hard"
3:42
4."Summer of '99"
3:58
5."Boys"
3:05
6."Metal Heart"
4:25
7."Beat Is Gone"
4:29
8."No Regrets"
  • Buchanan
  • Donaghy
  • James
  • Luke Juby
  • Ben Harrison
  • Felix Howard
  • Harry Craze
  • Hugo Chegwin
4:01
9."Today"
  • Buchanan
  • Donaghy
  • Buena
  • Gifty Dankwah
  • Emenike
3:42
10."Victory"
3:12
11."I'm Alright"
4:04
12."I Lay Down"
  • Buchanan
  • Donaghy
  • Simm
  • McVey
4:08
13."Back in the Day"
  • Buchanan
  • Donaghy
  • Buena
  • James Murray
  • Mustafa Omer
4:23
Total length:50:41
The Lost Tapes – Digital deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Back to Life"
  • Buchanan
  • Donaghy
  • Buena
  • Darren Lewis
  • Ed Drewett
  • Tunde Babalola
3:34
15."Breathe Me"
4:17
16."Only You"
  • Buchanan
  • Donaghy
  • Buena
  • Howes
  • Stannard
4:11
Total length:62:43

Notes

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for The Lost Tapes
Chart (2022–2023) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[30] 23
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[27] 2
UK Albums Sales (OCC)[31] 14
UK Physical Albums (OCC)[32] 13
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[33] 7

Release history

[edit]
The Lost Tapes release history
Region Date Format(s) Edition(s) Label Ref.
Various 24 December 2022
Standard Self-released [34]
31 December 2022 Deluxe [35]
15 September 2023 LP, CD Standard [36]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Gold, PJ (31 August 2012). "The full-length actual Mutya Keisha Siobhan interview". Pop Justice. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b O'Connor, Roisin (24 December 2022). "'Thank you': Sugababes release album they recorded eight years ago". Independent. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Sugababes reveal all their gossip". Newsbeat. BBC. 9 July 2009. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  4. ^ Balls, David (21 September 2009). "Keisha Buchanan leaves Sugababes". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  5. ^ Corner, Lewis (6 January 2012). "Sugababes original lineup 'recording new material together'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  6. ^ a b Corner, Lewis (9 January 2012). "Mutya Buena denies original Sugababes reunion plans". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 25 October 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  7. ^ Dorken, Joanne (25 January 2012). "Emeli Sande Confirms Song With Original Sugababes". MTV. Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  8. ^ "Sugababes surprise release 'The Lost Tapes' album". Retro Pop Magazine. 24 December 2022. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Sugababes sign £1m record deal". RTÉ.ie. RTÉ. 1 April 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  10. ^ Cochrane, Greg (20 July 2012). "Original Sugababes regroup as Mutya Keisha Siobhan". Newsbeat. BBC. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  11. ^ Clarke, Naomi (24 December 2022). "Sugababes give fans early Christmas present with long-awaited new album release". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  12. ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (24 December 2022). "Sugababes have dropped their new, old album, 'The Lost Tapes' – listen". Dork. The Bunker. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  13. ^ "10 Legendary Unreleased Albums by Amy Winehouse, La Roux, Bowie and More". matuklon. 7 April 2021. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  14. ^ Simpson, David (19 April 2019). "Bananarama: In Stereo review – pop duo shimmy into the modern age". Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  15. ^ "Sugababes Keisha Buchanan insists MKS album is still coming". CelebsNow. 21 August 2017. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  16. ^ a b Stern, Bradley (February 2015). "Mutya Keisha Siobhan Miraculously Return With 'Back In The Day,' All Hope Is Not Yet Lost". Muumuse. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  17. ^ Stern, Bradley (December 2016). "Merry MKSmas: An Album's Worth of Unreleased Sugababes Music Sees Light of Day". Muumuse. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  18. ^ Corner, Lewis (14 March 2013). "Mutya Keisha Siobhan release Kendrick Lamar cover – listen". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  19. ^ Copsey, Robert. "Mutya Keisha Siobhan announce new single 'Flatline'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  20. ^ Copsey, Robert. "Mutya Keisha Siobhan preview new single 'Flatline' – listen". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  21. ^ Welsh, Daniel (24 December 2022). "Sugababes Finally Gift Fans The Early Christmas Present They've Been Waiting Eight Years For". HuffPost. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  22. ^ Price, Simon (8 August 2013). "Simon Price on Mutya Keisha Siobhan: A proper Suga rush from the original babes". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  23. ^ Baines, Huw (17 October 2022). "Sugababes review – reunited trio celebrate reigning over an era in British pop". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  24. ^ "Sugababes demand #JusticeForFlatline following live comeback". Retropopmagazine. 11 June 2022. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  25. ^ Daly, Rhian (24 December 2022). "Sugababes share previously unreleased album 'The Lost Tapes' as Christmas gift". NME. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  26. ^ a b c "Sugababes tour setlist 2022 in full: What will Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy sing, tour dates, what time are they on stage and who is support act Kara Marni?". Official Charts Company. 18 October 2022. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  28. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart: 30 December 2022 – 5 January 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 06 January 2023 – 12 January 2023". Official Charts. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  31. ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  32. ^ "Official Physical Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  33. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  34. ^ "Sugababes – The Lost Tapes". 24 December 2022. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022 – via Apple Music UK.
  35. ^ "The Lost Tapes (Deluxe Edition)". Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022 – via Apple Music (NZ).
  36. ^ "The Lost Tapes Limited Edition Black Vinyl". Retrieved 10 August 2023 – via Sugababes Store.
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