Melanie C Channels Her Rave Roots on New Single “Sweat”
Before she became Sporty Spice, Melanie Chisholm was just a teenage raver from the English northwest, one of the “F**king Yeah Four,” a group of 18-year-old friends who spent their nights dancing through the Costa Brava rave scene of the early ’90s. Those nights of sweat, breakbeats, and freedom would leave an indelible mark on her, and now, decades later, that same spirit is reborn in “Sweat”, the title track from her upcoming ninth studio album.
Set for release on May 1st, 2026, via Virgin Music Group, “Sweat” is being billed as Melanie C’s most euphoric and personal record to date, a full-circle celebration of movement, joy, and community. Recorded across London, Stockholm, and Los Angeles, the album fuses her unmistakable pop legacy with the infectious pulse of her DJ sets, drawing on the energy of the dance floor that first shaped her.
The newly released lead single, “Sweat”, produced by Kingdoms and written by Melanie C, Dominic Liu, Theo Hutchcraft, Alexander Liu, and Sean McDonagh, is a glittering electro-house anthem with a disco-pop heartbeat. Built around a sample of Diana Ross’s 1982 classic “Work That Body”, it’s equal parts retro and refreshing, a track that “channels vintage workout video energy” and captures the adrenaline rush of both the club and the gym.
“Sports, raving, finding joy – these elements are such a huge part of my personality,” Melanie explains. “What works in the club works in the gym – there’s a real crossover.”
That crossover is the essence of “Sweat”, an album born from the same fire that pushed Chisholm from small-town dreamer to global pop icon, and now, to DJ and producer. “I’ve done a lot of soul-searching,” she admits. “Now I just want to have some fun and get people dancing again.”
Sweat – Tracklist:
- Sweat
- Drum Machine
- WCPGW
- Til’ It Breaks
- Pressure
- Emotional Memory
- Attitude
- Good For Nothing
- Undefeated Champion
- Cashmere
- Free To Love
- One Track Mind
- Flick Of The Wrist
The record captures a generation’s shared pulse, the sense of belonging found under neon lights and pounding bass. “When we were young, every weekend we’d go out dancing all night long,” she recalls. “In a room of friendly strangers, we found the place where we belong.”
Chisholm’s reconnection to club culture began in 2018, when she accepted a spontaneous invitation to DJ at queer night Sink The Pink. Within months, she was behind the decks at Pacha, Café Mambo, and festivals across the globe, rediscovering the power of dance music as both escape and expression. “I love being able to mix anything I want,” she says. “You can take things apart and build them again, just like in life.”
That same year, she also reunited with the Spice Girls for their monumental 2019 stadium tour, reminding the world of her unmatched drive and versatility.
With “Sweat”, Melanie C unites every part of her story: the athlete, the pop star, the underground DJ, and the teenager who fell in love with rave culture. “There are so many horrific things going on in the world,” she reflects. “When you make pop and dance music, it can seem almost churlish. But music is what gets me through tough moments. I’m really happy I am bringing out a joyful record at a very dark time.”
The new single is accompanied by an official music video fitting for the song’s vibes: energetic, fun, and sexy.
Make sure to check it out below!
