Melanie C, best known as Sporty Spice from the Spice Girls, has released her ninth album, 'Sweat', which she describes as a return to her pre-fame love of rave and dance music. The lead single samples Diana Ross's 'Work That Body' and blends club banger energy with workout anthem appeal.
Speaking to the Associated Press, the 50-year-old singer explained that her recent foray into DJing reignited her passion for dance music, which she first discovered at age 19. 'Before I was part of the Spice Girls, I discovered rave culture. I heard this music, I saw people dancing. It was like this utopia I'd never experienced,' she said.
The album, recorded over two and a half years in London, Stockholm and Los Angeles, reflects personal upheavals including the end of a long-term relationship and a management change. Melanie C says the process was cathartic, with tracks like 'Attitude' and 'Release' exploring themes of pressure and joy.
She emphasised the importance of her LGBTQ+ fanbase, stating, 'It's a community that's been important to myself and the Spice Girls for such a long time.' The album aims to empower listeners while also offering an escape. 'Recovery is a really important part of working out,' she laughed.
