The memorable and charistmatic frontwoman of Gossip, Beth Ditto, is finally set to launch her eagerly anticipated debut solo album this year. Entitled 'Fake Sugar', the album is expected to be released in early summer, with the first single 'Fire' out now.

Beth Ditto launches her solo debut 'Fake Sugar'Beth Ditto launches her solo debut 'Fake Sugar'

Named BBC Radio 1's 'Hottest Record in the World', 'Fire' is the bluesy dance-punk first single from the album, which is available as an instant download on all album pre-orders. 'Fake Sugar' itself was produced by Jennifer Decilveo (Andra Day, Ryn Weaver), who Beth described as the 'rollerblades to [her] roller skates'. 'We'd argue all day long and I loved it', she said.

It's been over ten years since Gossip dropped their addictive debut single 'Standing in the Way of Control' and 17 years since the band formed, but now Beth Ditto is finally going solo. Of course, with her fashion empire under her belt, she's hardly been twiddling her thumbs. 

In between throwing out awesome rock albums for Gossip, the latest being 2012's 'A Joyful Noise', Beth has been working on her clothing line for Evans, her MAC Cosmetics brand and her autobiography 'Coal to Diamonds'. She also married her partner Kristin Ogata in 2013 in Hawaii, and became legally wed in their own home state of Oregon when same-sex marriage was legalised there in 2014.

'Fake Sugar' is set to arrive in June 'Fake Sugar' is set to arrive in June 

She previously released a self-titled solo EP in 2011, featuring the single 'I Wrote the Book'. Since then she has worked with Simian Mobile Disco on their 2010 single 'Cruel Intentions' as well as Blondie on her 2013 song 'A Rose by Any Name'. She also appeared on Netsky's 2014 song 'Running Low'.

More: Watch the video for 'I Wrote the Book'

Beth Ditto has three sold-out tour dates coming up at Berlin's Lido on April 5th, Paris' Flow on April 10th and London's Omeara on April 11th.

'Fake Sugar' will be released on June 16th 2017 through Virgin Records.