With complete nonchalance and totally pointed tenacity, Sia delivers an album riddled with serious attitude and a punchy beat that makes you want to shake your face, flail your arms and stomp your feet.
Far from my favourite track when pressed against some of the bouncier beats on the album, ‘Chandelier’ was the first single and with it’s r’n’b-esque vibe, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who was shocked to find out it wasn’t Rihanna, right?
The album slips soulfully from the blues beats of ‘Straight For The Knife’ and ‘Fair Game’, to the retro-electric-pop beats of ‘Free The Animal’ and the angsty punk rock-y vibe of ‘Hostage’. A real experiential sound, not uncommon of the kooky artist, her wavering and beautifully imperfect vocals synergise effortlessly with the incomparable instrumental mash up of classic orchestral sounds, rock bass and electronica over lay.
Sia masterfully draws out her lyrics, to paint a picture of love, parties and pain. Just as your ears begin to settle, the chorus turns up the pace and your forced to jump on the train and chase the picture in your head.
I can’t quite put my finger on the mark with this one; it is an album that reveals something new with every track ticking over. Surprise yourself!
8/10
Reviewer: Marley Tinnock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR1GM29dGz0