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| Cruel Summer | ||||
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| Studio album (reissue) by | ||||
| Released | 14 July 1998 | |||
| Recorded | September 1997–early 1998 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 45:40 | |||
| Label | Arista | |||
| Producer |
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| Ace of Base chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Cruel Summer | ||||
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Cruel Summer is a 1998 studio album by the Swedish pop group Ace of Base, released as the band's third album in North America on 14 July 1998 and in Japan on 25 August 1998, by Arista Records. Flowers was the group's third album worldwide, but Arista decided to release a different version in North America, Japan, and Latin America, retitled Cruel Summer. This version of the album featured the new track "Everytime It Rains" and several new versions of songs that were first featured on Flowers. As executive producer, Clive Davis enlisted collaborators including production team Cutfather & Joe and songwriter Billy Steinberg. While primarily a pop album, Cruel Summer explores Eurodisco, Motown, and dance.[1][2]
Cruel Summer received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who complimented its production and viewed it as a superior version of Flowers. Despite this, the album was not a success and failed to crack the top 100 of the Billboard 200, peaking at number 101. The album and its singles saw more success upon their release in Canada. The project was promoted with a series of live television performances that featured minimal participation from band member Linn Berggren. Two singles were released, one of which became an international success. The titular lead single, "Cruel Summer", peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold. The second and final single, "Whenever You're Near Me", received little promotion and peaked at number 76.