The Sugababes. Back in their heyday, they were probably the only ‘girl-band’ out there that it was deemed cool to like. Launching on the scene with debut LP ‘One Touch’ in 2000, preceded by Top 10 smash ‘Overload’, critics applauded the girls for being so young yet singing and writing tracks that showed a far more mature side.
Unless you’d been living under the rock for the past few years though, you will obviously have been aware of the massive lineup changes that had made this cool girlband morph into something more of a laughing stock.
Though it was Sugababes 2.0 that had the most commercial success, it was the original lineup of Mutya Buena, Siobhan Donaghy and Keisha Buchanan that drove credibility. You all know the story – Siobhan left and was replaced by Heidi Range (whose debut with the band on Angels With Dirty Faces was also a highly commendable long-play). Then Mutya left several years later. After that, success continued with her replacement Amelle Berrabah, however the final nail in the coffin was when Keisha was ousted in 2009. There were no original Sugababes in the group, yet they continued.
On the other side, Donaghy released two absolutely outstanding albums – 2003’s ‘Revolution In Me’ was followed some years later by 2007’s ‘Ghosts’. Neither were commercially successful, however they were, quite rightly, critically acclaimed. They hit the nail on the head and cemented Donaghy as not just a talented singer, but a creative and powerful artiste too.
Back to Sugababes 1.0 though. Even though ‘Angels’ was a great album, it was One Touch that brought the band their credibility. The album is still incredibly pleasing on the ear (Run For Cover and Lush Life being just two standout masterpieces), and fans for years have been calling out for a follow-up. Even if it was just one follow-up, it was being pleaded for.
Enter 2011 when the girls kissed and made up. The Sugababes name still exists but quite rightly, the girls didn’t fight to use it (in fairness, the name is a laughing-stock now anyhow). They are now going under the guise Mutya Keisha Siobhan. I don’t need to explain that, do I?
After teasing us with interviews and the odd photoshoot in 2012, it’s 2013 that’ll be the year when we’ll finally hear new music and insiders say the music sounds great. With tracks written by pop supremos including Emeli Sande and Shaznay Lewis, there’s a lot to get excited for. What’s better, is that there’s no Guetta in sight!!
Check the playlist below to relisten their debut ‘One Touch’ and get to realise why we’re so excited to have these girls back on the scene.
