★★★½
In 2014, Sia threw aside her humble alt-pop persona and ghostwriting successes to let us into her deepest, darkest self in1000 Forms Of Fear.
Now that she’s found herself in her melodies, she’s facing the world under the guise of others: This Is Acting is an invitation to glimpse behind the veil of pop identity construction. The record’s hopemay seem salve to the open wounds of its predecessor, but its true draw is its open artifice. The impact of Sia’s erstwhile collaborators is tangible, especially in the big single ‘Alive’. She takes textures designed for Adele – thumping bass drums, pounded keys and soaring hooks – and sharpens them on her own raw vocal chords. The presence of Kanye West on ‘Reaper’ is more subtle (read: non-existent), but welcome in shaking up the otherwise uniform texture.
The singer’s kooky persona from the days of We Are Born has been replaced with a cracked mirror turned on the industry that made her, but the old Sia still peeks out in the irreverence of ‘Sweet Design’. Otherwise, her wounded singing style ironically elevates This Is Acting above your average pop record, but it can’t jump the high bar set by 1000 Forms Of Fear. The lyrics are more comfortable, the music less brave.
At least she’s honest. This may be acting, but it’s a damn fine performance.
Sia’sThis Is Actingis available now through Inertia.
