Beth Ditto: Fake Sugar

Beth Ditto
Fake Sugar (Virgin Records)

The former lead singer of beloved indie band The Gossip effortlessly combines pop, rock, funk and blues on her debut full-length solo release. Producer Jennifer Decilveo (who has worked with the likes of Boyz II Men and Andra Day) helps Ditto make magic throughout the record. Of their collaboration, Ditto muses: “She was the rollerblades to my roller skates. We’d argue all day long and I loved it.” Ditto’s ability to approach subjects like love and loss with undeniable beauty and power continues to make her one of the most exciting artists of her generation. Album highlights include the ‘50s girl group inspired “In and Out,” the disco stomper “Savoir Faire” and the magnetic lead single and video “Fire.” Reflecting on the album’s introspective lyrics, Ditto candidly admits , “I was running away from the bad parts of Southern culture. I’m old enough now — and so grateful for my family — that I can finally embrace the good in where I grew up.” Of her marriage to her partner Kristin Ogata, the out-and-proud Ditto says, “This is adulthood, baby. … You fought for marriage equality, now you gotta live in it.” Follow Beth Ditto on Instagram at instagram.com/bethditto.