Overloaded: The Singles Collection

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[7]
Daily Record	[15]
The Guardian	[10]
Herald Sun	[14]
Pitchfork	8.5/10[16]
This Is Fake DIY	[17]

Overloaded received positive reviews from critics, who praised the album as a reflection of the group's success. Andy Kellman of AllMusic rated the album four and a half stars out of five. He praised the tracks as "an ideal introduction" to the Sugababes, and noted that the new songs recorded with Berrabah "indicate that the group hasn't lost any of its momentum".[7] Daily Record writer Rick Fulton gave the album a full five-star rating, saying: "Changing members can't dampen the winning formula of Sugababes – sassy vocals over electro beats".[15] He concluded that Overloaded proves the group as the UK's best.[15] Dorian Lynskey of The Guardian gave the album a four out of five star rating and wrote that the group's longevity "practically makes them the Status Quo of the genre".[10]

The Herald Sun's Cameron Adams noted that Overloaded is a reminder of "what a good pop act" the Sugababes are, although he was less favourable of the new tracks.[14] Stuart McCaighy of This Is Fake DIY concluded that Overloaded is "awash with hits" and is indicative of why the group was named the most successful female act of the 21st century.[17] Tim Fenney from Pitchfork Media rated Overloaded eight and a half out of ten; he praised the more emotional tracks on the album, writing: "While people may remember the group for their frothy pop, their greatest hits collection Overloaded is equally impressive for its devastatingly earnest balladry".[16] Gigwise's Jenna Churchley-Burton described the album as "pure pop perfection at its very best".[18]

Overloaded became a commercial success in the UK. It debuted and peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart,[19] selling 57,284 copies in its first week of release,[20] becoming the Sugababes' fourth consecutive top three album.[21] The following week, it dropped to number eight on sales of 45,991.[22] In its third week on the chart, Overloaded dropped seven places to number 15, although rebounded to number 11 in its fourth week on sales of 66,956.[23] Overloaded was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry, denoting shipments of 300,000 copies.[24] By October 2007, the album had sold approximately 500,000 copies in the UK alone.[25] In October 2008, Music Week confirmed that the album had sold close to 600,000 copies in the UK.[26] Overloaded debuted and peaked at number 12 on the Irish Albums Chart 16 November 2006.[27] It was later certified Platinum by the Irish Recorded Music Association, denoting shipments of 15,000 copies.[28]

Overloaded also achieved commercial success in various other countries. It debuted on the Portuguese Albums Chart at number 28 and peaked at number 15 two weeks later, becoming the group's only record to chart in Portugal.[29] The album entered the Norwegian Albums Chart at number 40 and reached number 21 two weeks later.[30] Overloaded debuted at number 35 on the Austrian Albums Chart on 24 November 2006 and reached its peak position of number 25 on 8 December 2006.[31] It spent nine weeks on the chart.[31] The album debuted and peaked at number 29 on the Swiss Albums Chart and lasted nine weeks on the chart.[32] Overloaded reached number 37 on the Dutch Mega Album Top 100 chart,[33] number 38 on the German Albums Chart,[34] and number 43 on the Belgium (Flanders) Ultratop chart.[35] Overloaded peaked at number 34 on the Danish Albums Chart on 24 November 2006 and was certified Gold by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, indicating shipments of 20,000 copies.[36][37]

"Easy" was released on 6 November 2006 as the lead single from Overloaded, one week prior to the album's release. The song was written by Jason Pebworth and George Astasio in collaboration with the group's members—Buchanan, Range and Berrabah. It was produced by Pebworth, Astasio and Brio Taliaferro.[13] This Is Fake DIY's Stuart McCaighy commended the song's production and seductive lyrics.[17] "Easy" went top ten in Slovakia and the UK, and reached the top forty in almost every other country it charted in.[38] "Good to Be Gone" was due to be released as the second and final single from the album in early 2007, although this was soon cancelled after the Sugababes collaborated with fellow girl group Girls Aloud on the Comic Relief single, "Walk This Way".[39] The song went to number one in the UK.[40]

The Sugababes performing on the Overloaded tour.

The album launch for Overloaded was held on 3 October 2006 at the 100 Club on Oxford Street, London. The 80-minute show experienced a power cut and technicians were called to the scene, in which the performance resumed one hour later.[41][42] Backed by a live band, every track featured on the album was performed (except "Good To Be Gone" and "Shape").[43] Betty Clarke of The Guardian gave the performance a three out of five star rating, describing them "as glossy as thoroughbreds, styled like Topshop mannequins", although acknowledging, "when the singing stops, the cracks appear".[44] A journalist for MTV UK wrote, "Looking fab but not over-styled in skinny jeans, the girls still have the unpolished edge we love 'em for".[43]

In November 2006, the Sugababes announced that they would embark on a tour in 2007 to promote Overloaded.[45] The Greatest Hits Tour comprised 13 show dates in the UK and Ireland, starting from 27 March 2007 in Dublin Point, and ending at the London Wembley Arena on 13 April 2007, the latter of which was their first headline performance.[46] Amongst the cities they visited included Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham.[47] The tour also featured a merchandise stall that sold T-shirts with the slogan "I'm the Next Sugababe".[48] A journalist for Daily Mirror wrote: "From the still-brilliant 'Overload' to the tender 'Too Lost in You', the hits kept on coming as the crowd screeched louder with every song."[46] During the tour, the Sugababes performed a cover version of "Rocks" by Scottish alternative rock band, Primal Scream.[46]

Overloaded: The Videos Collection (DVD)

Overloaded: The Remix Collection (Digital download)

Deluxe edition (Digital download)