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

AIR Awards of 2020 The 2020 AIR Awards was the fourteenth annual Australian Independent Record Labels Association Music Awards ceremony (generally known as the AIR Awards). It took place on 1 October 2020 in Adelaide. The nominations were revealed on 7 July 20 ...

, the album was nominated for Best Independent Pop Album or EP.

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 Neil Percival Young (born November 12, 1945) is a Canadian-American singer and songwriter. After embarking on a music career in Winnipeg in the 1960s, Young moved to Los Angeles, joining Buffalo Springfield with Stephen Stills, Richie Fur ...

's " Sugar Mountain" and alternate versions of "Fools Gold" and "Fault Line".

Singles

The album was supported by five singles: "

Fool's Gold The mineral pyrite (), or iron pyrite, also known as fool's gold, is an iron sulfide with the chemical formula Fe S2 (iron (II) disulfide). Pyrite is the most abundant sulfide mineral. Pyrite's metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue giv ...

", released on 22 June 2017, "Fault Line", released on 17 November 2017, "Ballroom", released on 27 February 2018, "Limo Song", released on 1 June 2018, and "Confess", released on 31 October 2018. "Adolescent" was released as the deluxe edition's sole single on 13 April 2019.

Critical reception

''Sugar Mountain'' received "universal acclaim". 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.". 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." Josh Leeson of ''

The Newcastle Herald The ''Newcastle Herald'' (formerly branded as ''The Herald'') is a local tabloid newspaper published daily, Monday to Saturday, in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It is the only local newspaper that serves the greater Hunter Region and ...

'' 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.".

Triple J Triple J (stylised in all lowercase) is a government-funded, national Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners of alternative music, which began broadcasting in January 1975. The station also places a greater emphasis on broad ...

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

and Joni Mitchell taken from her parent's record collection alongside the self-navigated discoveries of gritty guitars and power-pop hooks". 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." 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".

Year-end lists

Commercial performance

''Sugar Mountain'' debuted and peaked at number 11 on the

ARIA Albums Chart The ARIA Charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling songs and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA became the offici ...

for the chart dated 2 July 2018, before falling 70 positions the following week.

Track listing

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 Xavier Dunn is an Australian singer-songwriter, musician, and producer based in Sydney. He is known for collaborating and producing with Jack River, including her 2018 debut album '' Sugar Mountain''. Dunn has co-written and produced for ma ...

and John Castle were additionally nominated for Engineer of the Year for their production on the album. , - , rowspan="3",

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