The songs “Chandelier” and “Elastic Heart” were probably stuck in your head at some point last year, leaving you thirsty for more of those catchy beats and powerful vocals that only Sia can pull off so effortlessly. The wait is finally over, Sia lovers, for she has done it again with an incredible new album entitled “This is Acting.” “Alive” is one of the more popular songs on the album, but do not be afraid to explore all twelve of the electro pop, borderline-manic melodies.
“This is Acting,” released on January 29th, contains a unique element that many listeners are not aware of—all of the songs were originally written by Sia for other pop sensations, but failed to make the cut. This includes Beyonce, Rihanna, Adele, and numerous others according to The Guardian. As an experiment, Sia sifted through her repertoire of rejects and recorded her favorites on a fresh album. Some critics argue that as a result, her album lost that personal touch it adorned in 1000 Forms of Fear, on which every track was written for herself. Nevertheless, playing match the songs to their potential singers is one of the unique aspects of the album.
“Cheap Thrills,” my personal favorite, is an upbeat party tune originally written for Rihanna. “Reaper,” also intended for Rihanna, was co-written with Kanye West. Perfect for a relaxing day at the beach, this song is sure to put you in a great mood. For a great dance song that mimics the style of Shakira, check out “Move Your Body.” This quick, upbeat track could also be a perfect addition to a workout playlist.
If you are looking for a more soulful and less peppy track, “Bird Set Free” is worth a listen. Originally proposed and rejected by Pitch Perfect 2 and Rihanna according to Billboard, Adele recorded it for her album 25 but removed it in the final stages. The song outlines Sia’s journey as a songwriter to a backdrop of a powerful drumbeat and a rolling piano melody.
“Alive” was also reportedly recorded for Adele, but the ragged, powerful high notes perfectly compliment Sia’s unique voice and style. Another empowering track perfect for a pregame pump-up is “Unstoppable.” Some speculate that the song was intended for Katy Perry, as it does fit her style of a bold, sing-along chorus and a catchy beat.
The album did receive some criticism for the last few songs on the album, including “Sweet Design” and “Space Between.” Billboard characterized them as “the scrap heap,” and other sources did not mention the songs at all in their discussion of the album.
Before becoming a celebrity herself, Sia wrote songs like Rihanna’s “Diamonds” and Beyonce’s “Pretty Hurts,” and she continues to write music. While Sia did record a few albums in her earlier days, 1000 Forms of Fear helped her transition from the behind-the-scenes songwriter to the widely-respected singer she is today. However, it is common knowledge that Sia struggles with stage fright, and only reluctantly stepped into the spotlight when her phenomenal album went public in 2014. “I don’t wanna go out and sell my soul, my body, my peace of mind,” Sia disclosed in a 2014 interview with NPR Music. She often performs either facing away from the audience or with something covering her face, and she rarely appears in her own music videos.
With so much variety, there is a song on this album for almost every listener regardless of preference in genre. Enjoy, and happy listening!