On 24th December 2022, Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhan Donaghy, collectively known as the Sugababes, surprised delighted fans around the world by dropping their previously unreleased album The Lost Tapes on streaming services – the first Sugababes album to be released in nearly 13 years. Of course, the previous Sugababes album, Sweet 7 (2010), was released by a completely different lineup of the Sugababes.
For those unfamiliar with the complicated history of the Sugababes, strap yourselves in! The original line up of Mutya, Keisha, and Siobhan formed in London in 1998, while they were still at school, and were signed to London Records. Their debut album One Touch, featuring the Top 10 debut single “Overload”, was released in November 2000 and, despite being critically acclaimed, failed to set the charts alight.
In late 2001, it looked like it was already over for the Sugababes when Siobhan left the group (amid rumours of in-fighting with Keisha), and the band were dropped by London Records. New member Heidi Range (who was in an early line-up of Atomic Kitten before Natasha Hamilton) then joined the group and they were signed to Island Records.
This marked the beginning of the most successful era of the Sugababes – as the second line-up scored 4 No.1 singles in the UK – “Freak Like Me”, “Round Round”, “Hole In The Head”, and “Push The Button.” Their albums Angels With Dirty Faces (2002), Three (2003) and Taller In More Ways (2005) were all Top 3 hits, with the latter reaching No.1 in October 2005. Just 2 months after this, it was announced that Mutya was leaving the Sugababes, to be replaced by Amelle Berrabah.
The group’s run of success continued with their third line-up, as they released their first Greatest Hits retrospective Overloaded: The Singles Collection (2006), followed by the studio albums Change (2007) – another No.1 album in the UK – and Catfights & Spotlights (2008). They also scored a further two No.1 hit singles – “Walk This Way” (with Girls Aloud) and “About You Now” (their biggest hit to date). Sadly, after a fallout in LA in September 2009 where Amelle reportedly went missing for several days, Keisha was removed from the group by management and replaced by former Eurovision contestant Jade Ewen.
This was when things started to go downhill for the Sugababes – despite achieving three more Top 10 hits from a rerecorded album with Jade called Sweet 7, their credibility suffered due to no original members remaining in the group and as a result their popularity started to wane. "Wear My Kiss" was #8 in our Top Songs of 2010. In 2011, they were dropped by Island Records and signed to Sony/RCA for the release of their single “Freedom” (#7 in our Top Songs of 2011). However, after much delay the track was eventually given away as a free download and was chart ineligible – following this, the fourth line-up quietly disbanded as Jade revealed in an interview in 2013.
By this time, Keisha had reunited with her old bandmates Mutya and Siobhan to form a new group, Mutya Keisha Siobhan (MKS for short), which was signed to Polydor Records. They recorded an album together and the first single “Flatline” (#11 in our Top Songs of 2013) was released in September 2013. However, after being released mid-week with little promotion, the single charted poorly in the UK. After “The Sacred Three Tour” in November, and a handful of appearances in early 2014, all went quiet and MKS were not heard of again for several years – maintaining a mysterious silence about what had happened to the group.
The unreleased MKS album, originally titled The Sacred Three, leaked online on Christmas Day 2016. Among the tracks included was “Love In Stereo”, which was eventually given to Bananarama and released on their In Stereo album in 2019. After more than 5 years’ absence, Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan re-emerged under the name Sugababes, having regained the rights to use the name. The first new track to be released by the original line-up was a cover of Sweet Female Attitude’s “Flowers” (#7 in our Top 101 Songs of 2019), featured on DJ Spoony’s album Garage Classical (2019).
The Covid-19 pandemic delayed immediate plans for the Sugababes’ return in 2020. However, 2022 was to be the year of their comeback. “Flatline” was re-released on streaming services in June under the Sugababes moniker, prompting the hashtag #JusticeForFlatline. The group undertook several festival appearances in the summer, followed by a UK tour in October/November.
Many fans had long given up hope of the unreleased MKS/Sugababes album ever officially seeing the light of day (especially after it leaked), until the Sugababes unexpectedly delivered a Christmas miracle with the independent release of The Lost Tapes, followed by the Deluxe Edition a week later. So what’s the verdict of Poptastic Confessions? Read Normski and Davearama’s thoughts below:
“Drum”
Normski: This is a bold opening for the album with its booming bass and catchy, repetitive chorus that creeps into your head. It’s easy to tell that MNEK co-wrote this song. Definitely one to be blasted from your speakers!
Davearama: I had heard this before on the leaked album, and I was surprised that this was moved to the opening track. It’s a fun song that easily gets you moving.
“Flatline”
Normski: It’s great to listen to this song within the context of the album finally. “Flatline” has become quite a moment in Sugababes live shows, since it didn’t receive the attention it deserved upon its initial release. It is a different kind of sound for the Sugababes. However it’s a brilliant song and each girl gets their moment to shine vocally.
Davearama: I never thought this song was the right single to comeback as the original trio. Having said that, it is a gorgeous song and I quite like it. I might like it more now than I did back when it was released in 2013.
“Love Me Hard”
Normski: It’s all about the harmonies in this song. It was fantastic to hear this in the set for the 2022 tour. Keisha’s middle 8 is a big moment, although I’ve always loved the way Siobhan plays around with her voice and she uses it to its full effect here.
Davearama: Mutya is also exploring her higher register, too. It is a downtempo song with a nice melody with rich harmonies.
“Summer of ‘99”
Davearama: Yes, Yes, and more Yes. This track is amazing! This should have been the single back in 2013. However, it is so good that I would like it to be a single in 2023.
Normski: Sonically this has always felt like part two of “About You Now.” The production on the demo felt more radio-friendly, as it seems to have been watered down a little bit in the album version – perhaps to fit in better with the overall sound. It’s still a fantastic song though and I’m dying to hear it live!
“Boys”
Normski: This is a bona fide BOP! It really should have been a single. It’s poppy without being cheesy and is dripping with attitude – especially in Keisha’s verse. Definitely one of the “lighter” moments of the album too. Love it!
Davearama: AGREED! It’s a great song and needs to be a single! I vote for a double single of this and "Summer of '99!"
“Metal Heart”
Normski: This is familiar mid-tempo Sugababes territory, reminiscent of the Three era. A rough, edgy backing along with contrasting harmonies in the three girls’ signature styles. Emotive lyrics and tight vocals, which the girls specialise in.
Davearama: I agree with everything you said here. This wasn’t in the leak I initially heard so it is new to me. It sounds like a ballad you would expect to hear on a Sugababes album — like this one!
“Beat Is Gone”
Normski: This really feels like the “moment” of the album. Such an epic song with incredible production and stunning vocal performances from all three girls. It blows me away every single time I listen. No wonder Biff Stannard called it one of his favourite songs he’s ever worked on.
Davearama: I’m not sure I would call it the moment of the album, for me that was with “Summer of ‘99” and “Boys.” It is a haunting ballad with some strong drums, and it is quite good.
“No Regrets”
Normski: One of my favourites from the album – originally performed on “The Sacred Three Tour” back in 2013. Beautifully sung with a strong and empowering chorus. Another song that really should have been a single.
Davearama: I like it, but it doesn’t scream single to me. I will give the chorus a top score as it really is a sing-a-long moment.
“Today”
Davearama: I like this as picks the beat back up. It has an edge to it that some of the early Sugababes songs have, too. “I am living for today!” What a mantra. Love it.
Normski: Another excellent song and favourite of mine. On a side note, it’s really quite remarkable how consistently strong this album is all the way through. “Today” has been included in the Sugababes’ live set since last summer and it’s easy to see why. In a similar vein to “No Regrets”, the lyrics are both powerful and inspirational. A real sing-a-long chorus too. Such a highlight!
“Victory”
Normski: I LOVE this – very quirky production choices and vocal arrangements. The hook “I went to war for you, I could see through the dark into your heart” is super-catchy and the lyrics are really interesting. The song was co-written by Sia, and it’s very much her signature style.
Davearama: Now that you mention Sia, I can hear it. Having said that, it doesn’t sound like the Sugababes singing a Sia song. It is very much a Sugababes-sounding song. I quite like this a lot, too.
“I’m Alright”
Davearama: LOVE this! This is probably my third favourite on the album. It is a bit downtempo, but that chorus is simply AMAZING. I would vote for this to be a single, too. The organ is awesome.
Normski: This is up there with “No Regrets” and “Today” as one of my favourites on the album – maybe I’d go as far as to say that it’s my favourite overall. I love the use of the organ throughout and the lyrics maintain the theme of overcoming adversity and being stronger than before that we hear in other songs. Just fantastic!
“I Lay Down”
Normski: We first heard this song as a bootleg mashup with Kendrick Lemar’s “Swimming Pools (Drank)”, which was uploaded to MKS’ Soundcloud in 2013. The album version is slower and very ethereal-sounding. I’m not sure if I like it as much as the mashup, but it definitely fits more into the overall feel of this album.
Davearama: Yes, I loved it with the mashup. However, it is quite good without it. This is up there with my favourites on the album.
“Back In The Day”
Davearama: I love this song. It really is quite sweet. The lyrics are touching and the music is quite good. The chorus is so soothing.
Normski: This is another song that gives me an old-school, nostalgic Sugababes vibe. A great album closer and will definitely go down well live.
“Back To Life”
Normski: The first bonus track on the Deluxe Edition. It’s more saccharine in style and a little dated-sounding, which probably explains why it didn’t make it onto the main album track listing. Still a good song though and their vocals really shine throughout.
Davearama: Their vocals always shine. I will say there is something that is missing from this song that I can’t really seem to put into words. It is a fine song, maybe just needs a bit of spice.
“Breathe Me”
Normski: This is a Sia cover and it is definitely more of a grower for me. It’s a slower song that builds as it progresses, but it’s just not as strong or instant as the majority of songs on the album. Again, it’s clear to see why this is a bonus track.
Davearama: Yeah, not a favourite of mine. However, on Siobhan’s first line, I thought it was former-Sugababe Heidi for a moment. Haha.
“Only You”
Normski: This is an interesting change in style, as it’s a ballad that turns into a dance track. It also has a spoken middle-8 which is quite new for the Sugababes, but perhaps falls flat a bit. It feels like the production could perhaps be a little more beefed up to make it a little bit stronger.
Davearama: I hear what you're saying, Norm. I don’t think any of these bonus tracks are bad, but none of them excite me either. In another world, they would be b-sides to singles.
Overall, this is a really strong body of work for the Sugababes and a rarity in that the majority of tracks could be good enough to be released as singles. It is a true pop justice that the album was finally released officially, as all of the songs deserved to be listened to in their finished, mastered quality. Finally, this isn’t just a collection of demos that we weren’t supposed to hear, but it’s officially a part of the Sugababes discography – perhaps their strongest album to date! Thank you, Mutya, Keisha, and Siobhan for finally giving the fans what they’d been asking for. Roll on album No.9! Feel free to drop some singles this year! Have a listen here ...
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