Photo from ketv.com

By Rebecca Brooks
Staff Writer

Sia is back once again, this time for her seventh studio album, “This Is Acting,” which dropped on Jan. 29. The release is a highly-anticipated follow up to her last album, “1000 Forms of Fear,” which graced the world with its infectious sounds in 2014. The previous album is notable for the smash hit “Chandelier” and its accompanying music video.

I have never been a die-hard Sia fan, though I do love several songs by her or featuring her. I had “Chandelier” on constant repeat from 2014-2015, and have watched the music video for it several times. Still, I did not have the intentions to listen to her album until I saw people raving about it on Twitter. As a music major here at Stony Brook, and an overall music lover, I decided to give Sia a try and listen to her new album.

With the first track “Bird Set Free” alone, I instantly fell in love with the album. Sia’s vocal delivery throughout is a force to be reckoned with and knows no bounds, hitting every possible note with little-to-no effort. It’s pop, but it’s not your usual radio-friendly pop music. It has a more alternative sound to it, akin to the likes of Lorde or Florence + The Machine, both of whom I am a fan of.

The second track and lead single off the album, “Alive,” is especially extraordinary, with the verses being slower and more calming, followed by a roaring emotional chorus that gives you chills. My personal favorites that I consider to be highlights off the album also include “Move Your Body,” “Cheap Thrills,” and “Sweet Design,” the latter of which grabs your attention immediately within the first two seconds of the song.

Though I have my own personal favorites off of “This Is Acting,” every song is so strong in both the music and Sia’s vocals that any one of them could be another single off of her album. I would even love it if Sia did a music video for every song on the album and created some kind of story arc, just like what Fall Out Boy did on their comeback album “Save Rock and Roll” back in 2013.

“This Is Acting” is a constant roller coaster ride of upbeat highs and somber lows, and everything in between, making the album versatile enough that everyone can find at least one song they love. Sia is a phenomenal artist who deserves even more recognition for her work, and she has most definitely found a fan in me.