Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear

Better known for writing songs like Rihanna’s Diamonds in a mere 14 minutes, David Guetta’s Titanium and collaborating with artists such as Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera, 1000 Forms of Fear is actually Sia’s sixth solo album featuring her own vocal.

38-year-old Sia has the enchanting talent of song-writing with the root of experience and maturity, along with a husky voice that balances out tempo and modern rhythm so that still has a naivety to it.

Chandelier kicks off the album in a dramatic fashion. This song exploded on to the scene several weeks ago with a controversial video featuring child dancer Maddie Ziegler in a nude leotard who danced like a china doll for its entirety. The song itself is raw, connected and definitely requires the repeat button. 

Eye of the Needle is an ballad that employs a pull on the heart with a harrowed lyrical attack. Straight for the Knife also contains a tale of heart break: “You wonder why you make girls cry?… If you find me swinging from the rafters, I’m hanging from your every word.”

Fair Game is simple and elegant and echoes the work of Imogen Heap. Elastic Heart (feat. The Weeknd & Diplo) initially thumps a feminist foot and electronically builds with a pleasing swell, but it is the male vocal that provides a real complementary sound. The record closes with Cellophane, discussing cleverly the challenges of co-existing with mental health; the entire album is provocative and intelligent in its statement.

Sia’s work and song-writing is exemplary. As an artist herself, it becomes somewhat frustrating when her lack of diction means you miss the lyrical genius as words slur into themselves. High notes, however impassioned, don’t sound healthy as the vocal chords fail to meet. It’s a kooky individual sound, but it has a hazy sustainability. The individualism of the album is exquisite and necessary, but with a small tweak in vocal technique, her truly magical work could be enhanced.

 

Sarah Milton

1000 Forms of Fear is released on 7^th July 2014. For further information or to order the album visit Sia’s website here.

Watch the video for Chandelier here: