The Lost Tapes (Sugababes album)

File:Lightspeed Champion at Primavera Sound Festival.jpg (pictured) produced and co-wrote "Flatline".]]

In 2009, the line-up of the Sugababes featured Keisha Buchanan, Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah, who were gearing up for the release of their seventh album Sweet 7 in early 2010.{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/entertainment/newsid_8140000/8140234.stm | title = Sugababes reveal all their gossip | publisher = BBC | work = Newsbeat | date = 9 July 2009 |access-date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101204956/http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/entertainment/newsid_8140000/8140234.stm |archive-date=1 January 2023}} However, prior to the album's release, Buchanan left the group in September 2009, and she was subsequently replaced by Jade Ewen.{{cite web | url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a178484/keisha-buchanan-leaves-sugababes.html | title = Keisha Buchanan leaves Sugababes | last = Balls | first = David | work = Digital Spy | date = 21 September 2009 | access-date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711145642/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a178484/keisha-buchanan-leaves-sugababes.html |archive-date=11 July 2022}} 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}}"{{cite web | url = https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a358734/sugababes-original-lineup-recording-new-material-together/ | title = Sugababes original lineup 'recording new material together' | last = Corner | first = Lewis | work = Digital Spy | date = 6 January 2012 | access-date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027070125/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a358734/sugababes-original-lineup-recording-new-material-together/ |archive-date=27 October 2021}} Both Buena and Buchanan denied that they were in the studio together and said that they were not working on music for the Sugababes,{{cite news | last = Corner | first = Lewis | url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a359152/mutya-buena-denies-original-sugababes-reunion-plans.html | title = Mutya Buena denies original Sugababes reunion plans | work = Digital Spy | publisher = Hearst Magazines UK | date = 9 January 2012|access-date=20 July 2012|archive-date=25 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025065752/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a359152/mutya-buena-denies-original-sugababes-reunion-plans.html|url-status=live}} with Buena saying: "No track [with] keisha or professor G he was around tha studio. im jus workin on my stuff @ tha moment. {{sic}}" 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."{{cite news | last = Dorken | first = Joanne | url = http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/emeli-sande/344232-emeli-sande-original-sugababes-song-confirmed | title = Emeli Sande Confirms Song With Original Sugababes | publisher = MTV | date = 25 January 2012|access-date=20 July 2012|archive-date=26 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726050524/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/emeli-sande/344232-emeli-sande-original-sugababes-song-confirmed|url-status=dead}} The Lost Tapes is the second Sugababes album to feature the original lineup, after 2000's One Touch.{{Cite news | url = https://retropopmagazine.com/sugababes-surprise-release-the-lost-tapes-album/ | title = Sugababes surprise release 'The Lost Tapes' album | website = Retro Pop Magazine | date = 24 December 2022|access-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224170956/https://retropopmagazine.com/sugababes-surprise-release-the-lost-tapes-album/ |archive-date=24 December 2022}}

In April 2012, it was reported that the line-up had signed a £1 million record deal with Polydor Records.{{cite news | url = http://www.rte.ie/ten/2012/0401/sugababes.html | title = Sugababes sign £1m record deal | work = RTÉ.ie | publisher = RTÉ | date = 1 April 2012|access-date=20 July 2012|archive-date=22 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922174106/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2012/0401/sugababes.html|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news | last = Cochrane | first = Greg | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/18921810 | title = Original Sugababes regroup as Mutya Keisha Siobhan | work = Newsbeat | publisher = BBC | date = 20 July 2012|access-date=20 July 2012|archive-date=22 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722045935/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/18921810|url-status=live}} The group enlisted Naughty Boy, MNEK, Sia and Shaznay Lewis as collaborators for the album.{{cite web | url = https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/sugababes-mutya-buena-keisha-buchanan-siobhan-donaghy-glastonbury-b1049299.html | title = Sugababes give fans early Christmas present with long-awaited new album release | website = Evening Standard | last = Clarke | first = Naomi | date = 24 December 2022|access-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225160600/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/sugababes-mutya-buena-keisha-buchanan-siobhan-donaghy-glastonbury-b1049299.html |archive-date=25 December 2022}} 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.{{cite web | url = https://readdork.com/news/sugababes-new-old-album-the-lost-tapes-listen/ | title = Sugababes have dropped their new, old album, 'The Lost Tapes' – listen | work = Dork | publisher = The Bunker | last = Ackroyd | first = Stephen | date = 24 December 2022 |access-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103052359/https://readdork.com/news/sugababes-new-old-album-the-lost-tapes-listen/ |archive-date=3 January 2023}}

The album's original title was reportedly The Sacred Three, named after the band's comeback concert tour.{{cite web | url = https://matuklon.com/10-legendary-unreleased-albums/ | title = 10 Legendary Unreleased Albums by Amy Winehouse, La Roux, Bowie and More | website = matuklon | date = 7 April 2021|access-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225072135/https://matuklon.com/10-legendary-unreleased-albums/ |archive-date=25 December 2022 |url-status=live}} A song originally recorded for the album, "Love in Stereo", went on to be recorded by Bananarama for their album In Stereo (2019).{{Cite web | url = http://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/19/bananarama-in-stereo-review | title = Bananarama: In Stereo review – pop duo shimmy into the modern age | date = 19 April 2019 | work = The Guardian | last = Simpson | first = David |access-date=4 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225075051/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/19/bananarama-in-stereo-review |archive-date=25 December 2022}} In June 2016, Siobhán Donaghy stated that the album was expected to be released in 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/a799752/sugababes-original-line-up/|title=Sugababes : Have the originals got the name back?|first=Alim|last=Kheraj|date=2 July 2016|website=Digitalspy.com|access-date=30 June 2020|archive-date=11 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911035646/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a799752/sugababes-original-line-up/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Original Sugababes line-up Mutya, Keisha, Siobhan will release their long-awaited album next year|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a799310/sugababes-mutya-keisha-siobhan-new-album-release-date/|website=Digitalspy.com|date=27 June 2016|access-date=27 June 2016|archive-date=28 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628215835/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a799310/sugababes-mutya-keisha-siobhan-new-album-release-date/|url-status=live}} In August 2017 Buchanan said in an interview that the group were working on new material after their previous work was leaked online.{{Cite web | url = https://www.celebsnow.co.uk/latest-celebrity-news/sugababes-mks-keisha-buchanan-693076 | title = Sugababes Keisha Buchanan insists MKS album is still coming | date = 21 August 2017 | website = CelebsNow|access-date=22 March 2020|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322214405/https://www.celebsnow.co.uk/latest-celebrity-news/sugababes-mks-keisha-buchanan-693076|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web | url = https://muumuse.com/2015/02/mutya-keisha-siobhan-back-in-the-day-sugababes.html/ | title = Mutya Keisha Siobhan Miraculously Return With 'Back In The Day,' All Hope Is Not Yet Lost | website = Muumuse | last = Stern | first = Bradley | date = February 2015 |access-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103044350/https://muumuse.com/2015/02/mutya-keisha-siobhan-back-in-the-day-sugababes.html/ |archive-date=3 January 2023}} A year later, in late 2016, eight several other songs from the album, which was in varying degrees of completion, were leaked, 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.{{cite web | url = https://muumuse.com/2016/12/mks-sugababes-unreleased-album.html/ | title = Merry MKSmas: An Album's Worth of Unreleased Sugababes Music Sees Light of Day | website = Muumuse | last = Stern | first = Bradley | date = December 2016 |access-date=2 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225080817/https://muumuse.com/2016/12/mks-sugababes-unreleased-album.html/ |archive-date=25 December 2022}} 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.{{cite web | url = https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a465708/mutya-keisha-siobhan-release-kendrick-lamar-cover-listen/ | title = Mutya Keisha Siobhan release Kendrick Lamar cover – listen | website = Digital Spy | last = Corner | first = Lewis | date = 14 March 2013 |access-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102225756/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a465708/mutya-keisha-siobhan-release-kendrick-lamar-cover-listen/ |archive-date=2 January 2023}} This song would later be re-recorded with new vocals and new instrumental to become The Lost Tapes{{'}} song "I Lay Down".

The album includes '80s-inspired pop, which is most present on the single "Flatline", initially released in June 2013,{{cite news | url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a486668/mutya-keisha-siobhan-announce-new-single-flatline.html | title = Mutya Keisha Siobhan announce new single 'Flatline' | work = Digital Spy|access-date=30 June 2020 | last = Copsey | first = Robert|archive-date=2 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702120145/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a486668/mutya-keisha-siobhan-announce-new-single-flatline.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news | url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a489853/mutya-keisha-siobhan-preview-new-single-flatline-listen.html | title = Mutya Keisha Siobhan preview new single 'Flatline' – listen | work = Digital Spy | last = Copsey | first = Robert|access-date=30 June 2020|archive-date=18 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718203749/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a489853/mutya-keisha-siobhan-preview-new-single-flatline-listen.html|url-status=live}} pop rock influences as seen on "Summer of '99" and Boys, and elements of breakbeat, which is notable on songs such as "Today".{{Cite web | url = https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/sugababes-release-new-album-lost-tapes-on-christmas-eve_uk_63a6c626e4b0ae9de1b0dd66 | title = Sugababes Finally Gift Fans The Early Christmas Present They've Been Waiting Eight Years For | date = 24 December 2022 | website = HuffPost|access-date=5 January 2023 | last = Welsh | first = Daniel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101071323/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/sugababes-release-new-album-lost-tapes-on-christmas-eve_uk_63a6c626e4b0ae9de1b0dd66|archive-date=1 January 2023}}

The song "Boys" features on the album, of which a short a cappella clip was uploaded on Buchanan's YouTube account in January 2013. The clip quickly attracted attention, surpassing 100,000 views. The same day, Popjustice released a three-second clip of the studio version of the single, calling it "simply amazing".{{cite web | title = The full-length actual Mutya Keisha Siobhan interview | url = https://www.popjustice.com/articles/the-full-length-actual-mutya-keisha-siobhan-interview/ | website = Pop Justice |access-date=31 December 2022 | date = 31 August 2012 | last = Gold | first = PJ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306081444/https://www.popjustice.com/articles/the-full-length-actual-mutya-keisha-siobhan-interview/|archive-date=6 March 2016}} 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.{{cite web | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/simon-price-on-mutya-keisha-siobhan-a-proper-suga-rush-from-the-original-babes-8744879.html | title = Simon Price on Mutya Keisha Siobhan: A proper Suga rush from the original babes | work = The Independent | last = Price | first = Simon | date = 8 August 2013 |access-date=25 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625021225/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/simon-price-on-mutya-keisha-siobhan-a-proper-suga-rush-from-the-original-babes-8744879.html |archive-date=25 June 2019}} "Flatline" and "Today" were amongst the songs performed throughout their various festival performances and headline tour in 2022.{{cite web | title = Sugababes review – reunited trio celebrate reigning over an era in British pop | url = https://theguardian.com/music/2022/oct/17/sugababes-review-reunited-trio-celebrate-reigning-over-an-era-in-british-pop | website = The Guardian |access-date=30 December 2022 | date = 17 October 2022 | last = Baines | first = Huw|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230131409/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/oct/17/sugababes-review-reunited-trio-celebrate-reigning-over-an-era-in-british-pop|archive-date=30 December 2022}}

"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.{{Cite web | url = https://retropopmagazine.com/sugababes-justice-flatline-live-comeback | title = Sugababes demand #JusticeForFlatline following live comeback | date = 11 June 2022 | accessdate = 30 December 2022 | website = Retropopmagazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230024836/https://retropopmagazine.com/sugababes-justice-flatline-live-comeback/|archive-date=30 December 2022}} 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".{{cite web | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/sugababes-the-lost-tapes-album-christmas-b2251068.html | title = 'Thank you': Sugababes release album they recorded eight years ago | website = Independent | last = O'Connor | first = Roisin | date = 24 December 2022|access-date=24 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231223536/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/sugababes-the-lost-tapes-album-christmas-b2251068.html|archive-date=31 December 2022}} The group confirmed that they had released the album independently, and were in control of its rollout.{{cite web | url = https://www.nme.com/news/music/sugababes-share-previously-unreleased-album-the-lost-tapes-3371307 | title = Sugababes share previously unreleased album 'The Lost Tapes' as Christmas gift | work = NME | last = Daly | first = Rhian | date = 24 December 2022 |access-date=2 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102225755/https://www.nme.com/news/music/sugababes-share-previously-unreleased-album-the-lost-tapes-3371307|archive-date=2 January 2023}}

{{Infobox concert

| concert_tour_name = Sugababes UK & Europe Tour

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| artist = Sugababes

| location = {{hlist|England|Scotland|Wales}}

| album = The Lost Tapes

| start_date = 16 October 2022

| end_date = 20 September 2023

| number_of_legs = 2

| number_of_shows = 21

| support_act = Kara Marni

| last_tour = The Sacred Three Tour
(2013)

| this_tour = Sugababes UK & Europe Tour
(2022–2023)

| next_tour = Australia Tour
(2024–2025)

}}

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.{{cite web | url = https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/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__37604/ | title = 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? | publisher = Official Charts Company | date = 18 October 2022 |access-date=2 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018162440/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/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__37604/|archive-date=18 October 2022}} 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 were supporting the group from afar.

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

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"

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20221230/131/|title=Official Independent Albums Chart: 30 December 2022 – 5 January 2023|website=Official Charts Company|access-date=23 September 2023}} 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.{{cite web | url = https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-downloads-chart/20221230/7000/ | title = Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 06 January 2023 – 12 January 2023 | website = Official Charts | date = 6 January 2023|access-date=6 January 2023}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Lost Tapes – Standard edition

| title_width= 30%

| writing_width= 70%

| title1 = Drum

| length1 = 3:34

| writer1 = {{hlist|Keisha Buchanan|Siobhán Donaghy|Uzoechi Emenike}}

| title2 = Flatline

| length2 = 3:53

| writer2 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|Mutya Buena|Devonte Hynes}}

| title3 = Love Me Hard

| length3 = 3:42

| writer3 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|Iain James|Richard "Biff" Stannard}}

| title4 = Summer of '99

| length4 = 3:58

| writer4 = {{hlist|Donaghy|Shaznay Lewis|Jim Eliot}}

| title5 = Boys

| length5 = 3:05

| writer5 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|Lewis|Emenike|Ash Howes|Stannard}}

| title6 = Metal Heart

| length6 = 4:25

| writer6 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|Buena|Paul Simm|Cameron McVey}}

| title7 = Beat Is Gone

| length7 = 4:29

| writer7 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|Wayne Hector|Howes|Stannard}}

| title8 = No Regrets

| length8 = 4:01

| writer8 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|James|Luke Juby|Ben Harrison|Felix Howard|Harry Craze|Hugo Chegwin}}

| title9 = Today

| length9 = 3:42

| writer9 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|Buena|Gifty Dankwah|Emenike}}

| title10 = Victory

| length10 = 3:12

| writer10 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|Sia Furler|Jason Evigan|Mitch Allan}}

| title11 = I'm Alright

| length11 = 4:04

| writer11 = {{hlist|Donaghy|James|Seton Daunt|Howes|Stannard|Bradford Ellis}}

| title12 = I Lay Down

| length12 = 4:08

| writer12 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|Simm|McVey}}

| title13 = Back in the Day

| length13 = 4:23

| writer13 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|Buena|James Murray|Mustafa Omer}}

| total_length = 50:41

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Lost Tapes – Digital deluxe edition bonus tracks

| title_width= 30%

| writing_width= 70%

| title14 = Back to Life

| writer14 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|Buena|Darren Lewis|Ed Drewett|Tunde Babalola}}

| length14 = 3:34

| title15 = Breathe Me

| writer15 = {{hlist|Furler|Dan Carey|Mikkel Eriksen|Tor Erik Hermansen}}

| length15 = 4:17

| title16 = Only You

| writer16 = {{hlist|Buchanan|Donaghy|Buena|Howes|Stannard}}

| length16 = 4:11

| total_length = 62:43

}}

Notes

• "Back in the Day" interpolates the song of the same name by Ahmad.
• "Breathe Me" is a cover of the song of the same name by Sia, written by Sia and Dan Carey.

{{Reflist}}

{{Sugababes}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lost Tapes}}

Category:2022 albums

Category:Sugababes albums

Category:Albums produced by Dev Hynes

Category:Albums produced by Richard Stannard (songwriter)

Category:Albums produced by Stargate