Former Spice Girl Melanie C has announced her ninth solo album, titled *Sweat*, set for release on May 1, 2026, marking her first studio album in six years since her 2020 self-titled release. The album will be released through Virgin Music Group in partnership with her own label, Red Girl, and is being positioned as her most euphoric and personal record to date.
*Sweat* draws heavily from the electro-house genre with strong dance and rave influences, including a notable sample of Diana Ross’s “Work That Body.” Recording sessions took place across multiple international music hubs, including London, Stockholm, Los Angeles, and Sydney, allowing Melanie C to blend various musical influences into her signature sound.
The concept behind the album centers on themes of resilience, joy, and escapism during challenging times, reflecting Melanie C’s teenage immersion in the UK’s vibrant ’90s rave culture. The music aims to provide fans with a perfect balance of fun and darkness while addressing serious global issues through uplifting pop sounds. This fusion of her early musical influences with her experiences as an athlete and underground DJ creates what Virgin Music describes as a perfect synthesis of her “sport and spice” personas.
The first single, also titled “Sweat,” has been released alongside the album announcement, featuring high-energy visuals in a music video directed by Graham Cruz. The track’s dance and workout-friendly style aims for crossover appeal between club audiences and fitness enthusiasts. The song features innovative sound design techniques that create atmospheric underwater effects during bridge sections, adding textural depth to the production. The team has launched a comprehensive pre-save campaign to boost initial streaming numbers before the full album release. Fans can watch the YouTube video premiere at 4 PM BST following a live Q&A session with the artist.
Marketing plans include special incentives for early album pre-orders, granting fans access to concert tickets for May 2026 live shows. The release will be celebrated with a live band performance scheduled for October 23, 2026, at London’s O2 Academy Brixton.
Industry insiders have praised the upcoming release for its innovative blend of nostalgic rave elements with contemporary electronic production. In an era marked by global challenges, Melanie C’s return to the music scene offers fans an opportunity for collective joy through dance music, reinforcing her evolution from Spice Girl to established solo artist and DJ with a distinctive voice in the electronic music landscape.
