Sugar Mountain (album)

Sugar Mountain is the debut studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Jack River, released on 22 June 2018.[6]

For the Neil Young song, see Sugar Mountain (song).

Sugar Mountain
Studio album by
Jack River
Released22 June 2018
Length41:23
Producer
Jack River chronology
Highway Songs No. 2
(2016)		 Sugar Mountain
(2018)		 Stranger Heart
(2020)
Singles from Sugar Mountain
  1. "Fool's Gold"
    Released: 22 June 2017
  2. "Fault Line"
    Released: 17 November 2017[1]
  3. "Ballroom"
    Released: 27 February 2018[2]
  4. "Limo Song"
    Released: 1 June 2018[3]
  5. "Confess"
    Released: 31 October 2018[4]
Singles from Sugar Mountain (Deluxe Edition)
  1. "Adolescent"
    Released: 13 April 2019[5]

At the AIR Awards of 2020, the album was nominated for Best Independent Pop Album or EP.[7]

Release and promotion

On 31 May 2019, the album was re-released in a deluxe edition, featuring a new single "Adolescent", a cover of Neil Young's "Sugar Mountain" and alternate versions of "Fools Gold" and "Fault Line".[5]

Singles

The album was supported by five singles: "Fool's Gold", released on 22 June 2017,[8] "Fault Line", released on 17 November 2017,[1] "Ballroom", released on 27 February 2018,[2] "Limo Song", released on 1 June 2018,[3] and "Confess", released on 31 October 2018.[4]

"Adolescent" was released as the deluxe edition's sole single on 13 April 2019.[5]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The AU Review8.3/10[9]
Beat Magazine[10]
The Newcastle Herald[11]

Dylan Marshall from The AU Review said: "As the first album of the artist also known as Holly Rankin, you're exposed to the sugary highs of sweet pop, whilst also left mourning within the depths of despair and complete heartbreak." adding "You're going to have a good time listening to the album, but you'll be sad, and you won't know why." Marshall concluded the review saying "The album is a pearler" and "She's managed to release an album of pure class and beauty, whilst willingly and knowingly making herself open to the public gaze.".[9]

Alexander Crowden of Beat Magazine said: "To put it simply, River has released one of the greatest Australian debut albums of the past decade. Every single moment on Sugar Mountain is a surefire winner, and there's an instant appeal apparent on each of the 13 tracks adorning River's debut. Her glorious voice cascades over stunning soundscapes that dance the fine line between intimate and cinematic."[10]

Josh Leeson of The Newcastle Herald said: "Sugar Mountain is at once intensely emotional and a shiny fabrication. It's taken... five years to build this songbook which aims to paint an alternate childhood from her own, which was marred by the death of her 11-year-old sister.".[11]

Triple J said: "Each song takes you into a melancholic pastel dream, recalling musical influences of her formative teenage years. You can hear the folk tinges of Neil Young and Joni Mitchell taken from her parent's record collection alongside the self-navigated discoveries of gritty guitars and power-pop hooks".[12]

Tim Lamber from Stack Magazine said "If you look only at Sugar Mountain through the sparkling, rose-coloured glasses that River has draped over the album, you might not be rewarded with uncovering the confidential and vulnerable world she has created – but which she is encouraging you to discover."[13]

Tina Odukoyat from Never Enough Notes said: "The electropop album, inspired by her favourite Neil Young song, includes intense guitar motifs, heavy drum riffs and crystal clear vocals, all perfectly apt for a glitter filled festival headliner spot." He added, "Sugar Mountain is a personal and bold debut album that laments River's lost youth, yet simultaneously oozes a glowing sense of hope. It's a record that deserves to be performed on a big festival stage in all its sparkly and glittery glory".[14]

Year-end lists
Sugar Mountain on year-end lists
Publication List Rank Ref.
Triple J Triple J's Top 10 Albums of 2018 9 [15]

Commercial performance

Sugar Mountain debuted and peaked at number 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart for the chart dated 2 July 2018,[16] before falling 70 positions the following week.[17]

Track listing
Sugar Mountain track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Her Smile"Holly Rankin3:02
2."Ballroom"Rankin3:15
3."Confess"
  • Holly Rankin
  • Alex Burnett
3:22
4."Limo Song"
3:46
5."Fool's Gold"Holly Rankin4:18
6."Mars" (Reuben Rankin)Holly Rankin0:59
7."So High"Holly Rankin3:24
8."Stardust & Rust"Holly Rankin3:19
9."Saturn" (Reuben Rankin)Holly Rankin0:33
10."Fault Line"
  • Rankin
  • Dunn
2:51
11."Fields"Holly Rankin2:51
12."Constellation Ball"Holly Rankin3:45
13."In Infinity"Holly Rankin4:48
Sugar Mountain — Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Adolescent"Holly Rankin2:44
15."Sugar Mountain"Neil Young3:13
16."Fool's Gold" (acoustic)Holly Rankin3:29
17."Fault Line" (Gear 1 Version)
  • Holly Rankin
  • Dunn
3:18

Awards and nominations

At the 32nd Annual ARIA Music Awards, the album was nominated for two awards; Best Pop Release and Breakthrough Artist. Rankin, Xavier Dunn and John Castle were additionally nominated for Engineer of the Year for their production on the album.[18]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 Sugar Mountain Breakthrough Artist Nominated
Best Pop Release
Holly Rankin, Xavier Dunn & John Castle (for Sugar Mountain) Engineer of the Year

Charts
Chart performance for Sugar Mountain
Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[19] 11

Release history
Sugar Mountain release details
Region Date Format Label Edition Catalogue Ref.
Australia 22 June 2018
I Oh You Standard IOU268 [6][20]
Limited edition vinyl IOU269 [21]
31 May 2019
Deluxe edition [22]

References
  1. "Fault Line – Single by Jack River". Apple Music AU. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  2. "Ballroom – Single by Jack River on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  3. Newstead, Al (31 May 2018). "Don't miss Jack River on her national album tour, hear new track 'Limo Song'". ABC (Triple J). Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  4. Campbell, Jack (2 November 2018). "Exclusive: Jack River signs international record deal with Nettwerk Music Group". The Industry Observer. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  5. Newstead, Al (12 April 2019). "First Spin: Jack River gets angsty on the grungy 'Adolescent'". ABC (Triple J). Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  6. "Sugar Mountain by Jack River on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  7. "That's a wrap: 2020 AIR Awards winners and celebrations". the industry observer. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  8. Fuamoli, Sosefina (23 June 2017). "Music Video of the Day: Jack River "Fool's Gold" (2017)". The AU Review. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  9. Marshall, Dylan (22 June 2018). "Album Review: Jack River – Sugar Mountain (2018 LP)". The AU Review. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  10. Crowden, Alexander (22 June 2018). "With 'Sugar Mountain', Jack River has released one of the greatest Australian debut albums of the past decade". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  11. Leeson, Josh (20 June 2018). "Review: Jack River – Sugar Mountain – 4 stars". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  12. "Jack River Sugar Mountain". ABC (Triple J). 17 June 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  13. Lamber, Tim (June 2018). "Jack River, 'Sugar Mountain' review". Stack. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  14. Odukoyat, Tina (22 June 2018). "Review: Jack River releases glitter filled debut album 'Sugar Mountain'". Never Enough Notes. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  15. "2018 – Albums of the Year". ABC (Triple J). December 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  16. "Second #1 album for Panic! at the Disco". ARIA Charts. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  17. "ARIA Chart Watch #480". auspOp. 7 July 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  18. Harmon, Steph (10 October 2018). "ARIA Awards 2018: Amy Shark and Courtney Barnett lead nominations". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  19. "Australiancharts.com – Jack River – Sugar Mountain". Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  20. "Sugar Mountain by Jack River (CD)". JB HiFi. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  21. "Sugar Mountain Limited Edition 180gm Pink Marble Vinyl by Jack River (LP)". JB HiFi. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  22. "Sugar Mountain Deluxe on iTunes Australia". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
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