Sugababes Celebrate 20 Years of ‘One Touch’
By Kyle Woolery
When London teenagers Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhán Donaghy released their debut single, “Overload,” on September 11th, 2000, it was evident that they weren’t your ordinary girl group. Equipped with an emotional maturity and vocal prowess well beyond their years, out-of-this-world harmonies that their peers would kill for, and an effortlessly cool aura, the trio—who called themselves the Sugababes—redefined what it meant to be a girl group going into the new millennium. “Overload” was just the beginning of the Sugababes’ decade-long imperial reign that would culminate in six UK #1’s, millions of albums and singles sold, and an enduring impact on pop music that can still be felt to this day. Now, just over 20 years later, the trio is looking back on where it all began with a special anniversary repackaging of their debut album, One Touch.
Initially released on November 28th, 2000, One Touch is a pop/R&B album that incorporates elements of UK garage, two-step, and trip-hop, all with a groovy and soulful flair. Other girl groups often restricted themselves to the confines of bubblegum pop or saccharine R&B, but the Sugababes were unafraid to experiment. Through their meticulous blending of genres, their fusion of trendy underground aesthetics with the mainstream, and their lush vocal harmonies, the Sugababes crafted a distinct sound that was uniquely their own. It was perfectly aligned with their overall image as well. They were the “too cool for school” girls who came across a bit aloof and deliberately went against what was expected of a girl group—matching outfits, elaborate choreography, and perpetually bubbly personalities. Out-of-touch critics perceived this as a “lack of enthusiasm,” but fans were totally captivated by it. These girls were edgy, they were cool, and most importantly, they were real. No one else was doing what they were doing at the time, and they stood out from the pack as a result. They represented a new kind of girl group: one that didn’t need to follow the rules.
At its core, One Touch is a coming-of-age album. Mutya, Keisha, and Siobhán guide listeners through tales of giddy adolescent love (“Overload”), romantic turmoil (“Same Old Story”), heartbreak (“New Year”), and the difficulties and complexities of growing up (“Look At Me”), maintaining an introspective and almost conversational tone throughout. There is an undeniable youthfulness about One Touch, but the way in which they approach the album’s themes feels universally relatable, regardless of age. Some of their lyrical ruminations even sound as though they are coming from a place of bountiful wisdom and experience—an astonishing feat considering the Sugababes themselves, who were in their early teens at the time of recording, were responsible for most of the songwriting on the album. The fact that they were capable of writing such poignant, resonant lyrics at such a young age is a clear indicator of their remarkable talent, and it played a huge role in setting them apart from the label-manufactured girl groups of the late ‘90s. They were refreshingly authentic.
One Touch (20 Year Anniversary Edition), released on October 1st, features remasters of the original album tracks and its B-sides, previously unreleased demos and alternate mixes, and brand new remixes from MNEK, Blood Orange, Metronomy, and Majestic. There are 41 tracks in total, making this repackaging a treat for any Sugababes fan, and the remastering makes the album sound better than ever, breathing new life into an already fantastic body of work and reaffirming just how timeless it is. Whether someone has listened to One Touch one time or one-hundred times, listening to the remaster will feel like an entirely new experience, and if someone has never listened to the album before, then this is definitely the version to listen to.
The previously unreleased demos and alternative mixes are a fascinating glimpse into what One Touch could have been. “Always Be the One” is a ballad evocative of ‘90s R&B songstresses like Mariah Carey and Brandy, whereas “All Around the World” is a Kylie Minogue-esque slice of disco-pop. “This Is What You Need” sounds like an early attempt at the more electronic sound that they would explore on their sophomore album, Angels With Dirty Faces (2002), and “One Touch (Alternative Version)” and “Real Thing (Alternative Version)” feel more in line with the sounds that other girl groups were pursuing at the turn of the century. While these are all great songs that demonstrate the sheer sonic versatility of the Sugababes, it is understandable why they were reworked (or abandoned altogether in some cases). They simply wouldn’t have fit in with the rest of the album.
That being said, there are also a few standout demos that could (and honestly should) have been included on the album. “Soul Sound (Alternative Version)” is a moment of cinematic trip-hop melodrama, and it really works. It’s a completely different vibe from the original—a mellowed out pop-rock number—but it might actually be the superior version of the song. The gradual buildup of “Promises (Acoustic Version)” is much more satisfying than the nonstop pure pop sugar rush of the original, and “Just Let It Go (2001 Version)” features some additional production flourishes that make the song more radio-friendly, suggesting that it might have been being geared up for a single release at some point. Another highlight is the original mix of “Little Lady Love,” which was previously only available in a remixed form. The drum and bass influence and the orchestral strings present throughout the track elevate the girls’ vocals and make the original mix feel grander than the remix; it sounds euphoric.
The contemporary remixes offer fresh takes on a few of the songs that fans already know and love. Metronomy and Majestic took similar routes with their remixes of “Overload”. Both acts transform the funky, guitar-driven track into a club-ready UK garage banger straight out of the year 2000. Blood Orange’s reimagining of “Same Old Story” begins as a downbeat, ethereal piano ballad before taking a turn into two-step territory. It would have been interesting to hear the first part of the remix fleshed out into a full song because the second part, while still enjoyable, doesn’t sound too far off from the original. MNEK’s remix is arguably the best and most adventurous of the bunch. He turns the brooding, ominous “Run for Cover” into a bouncy dance track—a risk that pays off.
This commemorative repackaging of One Touch is a simultaneous reclamation and celebration of the Sugababes’ legacy as well as a “thank you” to their fans for all the support over the years. One Touch is the only Sugababes album to feature vocals from founding member Siobhán, who departed the group in 2001 shortly after the release of the album and was replaced by former Atomic Kitten member Heidi Range. Mutya then left the group in 2005 and was replaced by Amelle Berrabah, and Keisha was ousted from the group in 2009 and replaced by Jade Ewen. By the end of the Sugababes’ initial run, none of the founding members remained, and they had totally lost the unique identity that catapulted them to stardom in the first place. However, in 2012, the three original members reunited, performing and recording as Mutya Keisha Siobhán before winning the rights to the Sugababes name in 2019.
The release of One Touch (20 Year Anniversary Edition) is quite a monumental moment as it is the first full-length release by the original Sugababes in over 20 years. This is Mutya, Keisha, and Siobhán’s way of formally reintroducing themselves to the world as the Sugababes and reminding everyone what incredible art they are capable of creating together. In the process, they are also satisfying the fans’ desire for new music (for the time being, at least) by sharing old but never-before-heard songs from the One Touch era. They are acknowledging their past so that they can move forward into the future and release completely new material as the Sugababes once again, finally picking up where they left off all those years ago.