Fake Sugar | ||||
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Studio album by Beth Ditto | ||||
Released | June 16, 2017 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 42:26 | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Producer | Jennifer Decilveo | |||
Beth Ditto chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 74/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
The A.V. Club | B |
AllMusic | |
DIY | |
The Guardian | |
The Independent | |
musicOMH | |
The Observer | |
Paste | 7.0/10 |
Pitchfork | 6.1/10 |
PopMatters |
Fake Sugar is the debut solo studio album by American singer Beth Ditto, known for her work with the dance-punk band Gossip. Produced by Jennifer Decilveo, it was released on June 16, 2017, through Virgin Records. The album's first single, "Fire", was released in April 2017. Incorporating influences from a wide array of genres, the album is regarded as Ditto's "embracement of her Southern roots".
Fake Sugar is a Southern rock and pop album.AllMusic reported that the album's "polished pop ambitions allow Ditto to try on different sounds, whether it's the stomping glam-pop of "Oo La La" or "Go Baby Go," a tribute to Suicide's Alan Vega that borrows the duo's sleek beats."The A.V. Club stated: "The record revolves around pulsating disco grooves, corrugated pogo-punk riffs, and a glittering pop sheen, all arranged so there’s plenty of room for Ditto to stretch her voice and approach."The Guardian wrote that the record "runs the gamut of classic 1970s and 80s pop – Fleetwood Mac, Blondie, Suicide, Paul Simon – alongside the odd angular stomper that nods to the Soulwax remixes of her former band."Paste magazine noted that "while there are still elements of dance-pop weaved throughout the record, the album falls more comfortably between honky-tonk, soul and disco."PopMatters stated that Fake Sugar's sound "moves seamlessly from straight dance pop to a rawer, more soulful brand of R&B-indebted punk."