Disclaimer: this is the first Sia album I am listening to, so I can't really compare it to her other solo work, and I can't claim to be an expert on her personal life or know that much about her as an artist. I've heard the songs she's written for other people and a couple of solo songs here and there- that's basically it. Also, these are live reactions to the songs but I'll take some time to think before giving the album a final score
Chandelier: This song has grown on me a lot. It used to annoy me that I could barely tell what she's saying in the verses (sis really does need to enunciate more) but the bass line is so infectious and the emotion of the song comes through perfectly in her vocal delivery, so I guess it doesnt really matter if I can't make out some words. The song sounds really great on the radio in the car too- good single choice imo.
Big Girls Cry: I think the verses on this song are kinda boring and mumbly, but the chorus is really pretty melodically and is situated in a really rich and comfortable part of Sia's range- she sounds great on this part of the song. The lyrics of the song are alright I guess. Its pretty ironic that I think Sia's biggest strength is her vocal delivery and unique tone rather than her songwriting, but I have always thought she's a bit of an overrated lyricist. love the softer note at the end.
Burn The Pages: The emoting on the intro is spot on- gave me chills. I also like the concept of this song and the metaphors. The echoes were cool but the production on this one is just okay other than that. This is like the reverse of the last one where I like the verses way more than the chorus. Sia's voice has a really nice rock-ish edge that worked super well on this song. Sounds a bit flat on some of the lower notes though.
Eye Of The Needle: I really love this song. I love the vulnerability in it and the melody is catchy without being generic or uninteresting. Definitely the highlight so far. And I wont say this again so as not to sound like a broken record, but I can barely understand the words sometimes. Her voice cracking mostly worked well with the emotion but there were a couple cracks that maybe I could have done without? The backing track at the end is really beautiful and powerful.
Hostage: This song reminds me a bit of a P!nk song, and I stan Alecia so that's not a bad thing. I like the melody for the most part, its pretty catchy. My favorite part is the pre-chorus. Some of her vocals on here are a bit grating to me though. Listening to this song is making me scared that she'll have no voice left by the time she's 40
Straight For The Knife: The drums are loud, as they are on most of the tracks. This track is very melodramatic lyrically, as most of the track's are. This track is kind of cool, has a darker sound than the other songs so far. I don't think its a song that will stick with me once I've finished the album.
Fair Game: This song has a really melancholic feel, and I definitely think its more interesting lyrically than the previous track, which its somewhat similar too. I like that she's acknowledging her own faults on this track rather than playing the martyr the whole time.Theres a weird xylophone sounding interlude in the middle that kinda took me out of the song, which I was really enjoying both vocally and lyrically. Definitely couldve done without that. If there was a purpose for it, it went over my head tbh.
Elastic Heart: This track has cool production. I really like the vibe of this track- really distinct. Definitely one of my favorites so far. Even If I don't end up keeping the full album, I'll definitely be keeping this track. Her higher register sounds beautiful- I wish she would showcase her head voice more often actually. I really like what I've heard of it so far.
Free The Animal: This song is kind of awkward- especially the little back up bursts and screams, and I dont really like all those jittery stops and stars and the synths dont really fit. But there is a great part in the chorus where Sia's vocals come through really powerfully (the granulate me, decapitate me parts). Not really my thing, but its definitely not boring. So that's something.
Fire Meet Gasoline: This song is really beautiful- Sia sounds great. It's a little generic in the production, but its so well-executed that I don't care that much. I think the lyrics are also pretty good, if not stellar. My favorite part is the bridge- its so powerful.
Cellophane: I dont think the production of the song really fits the tone she seems to be going for. It sounds too produced, too clean. She seems to be going for visceral emotion. I can appreciate what she was trying to do on this song, but, like free the animal, it's sort of awkward (to a lesser extent). There's some beautiful falsetto on the (otherwise dragging) howls.
Dressed In Black: This song is midtempo and its cute. The twinkles work better on this one they do on some of the other tracks. I really like the lyrics of this track. Yeah, this is definitely a good song. I do think this was the wrong track to end with though, it seems a bit anticlimactic. I would've ended the album with Elastic Heart. Leave a bigger final impression
Overall, this album was definitely an interesting listen. I didn't love every song, the writing didn't blow me away as much as i expected it to, and there are definitely some vocal tics and bad habits that Sia should work on. But Sia is so earnest and genuine in her delivery that you believe every word she sings and it makes this album hard not to like. Her unique vocal tone is her biggest strength.
Highlights: Chandelier, Eye Of The Needle, Elastic Heart, Fire Meet Gasoline
Lowlights: Straight For The Knife, Free The Animal, Cellophane
OVERALL SCORE: 6.8/10