Sia released the album Reasonable Woman

Contents:

• What were Sia's previous records like?
• What kind of music does Sia's voice demand?
• Which songs on Reasonable Woman sound hopelessly dated?
• And which ones sound stylishly vintage?
• How Sia reconciled pop and indie?
• What's wrong with the album?

What were Sia's previous records like?

In 2014, Sia released the album "1000 Forms of Fear," which became a turning point in her career, moving her from the status of an indie singer to the ranks of pop stars. This success came after almost 20 years of hard work in the music industry. The new album "Reasonable Woman" is the fifth in her discography and the first that can be classified as "regular." All of Sia's previous works have been distinguished by a unique sound and an unconventional approach, which makes her work especially interesting for listeners.

With the release of this release, Sia has strengthened her position as a star of the music scene, presenting new successful singles "Cheap Thrills" and "The Greatest". The album also contains tracks she wrote for other artists, who, not recognizing their hit potential, rejected them.

Sia's Christmas album has a unique old-school charm that sets her apart from today's glamorous pop singers. The release of "Everyday Is Christmas" is a tribute to the fifties style, which emphasizes the artist's individuality. This album does not contain a single cover of traditional Christmas carols; all the songs were written from scratch by Sia and producer Greg Kurstin. Despite this, many perceive Christmas albums as a side project that serves as a supplement to the artist's main discography. Sia demonstrates that even within the confines of holiday music, original and memorable works can be created.

Collaborating with electronic producer Diplo and singer Labrinth, the result is a unique musical project that seamlessly blends elements of pop, hip-hop, electronica, and rock. This album has become a platform for some of the most innovative beats created for Sia's vocals, highlighting her unique style and artistry. The eclectic sound palette captivates listeners and creates a unique atmosphere, making this project a significant contribution to the modern music industry.

Semi-soundtrack. Sia made her directorial debut with this film about a drug dealer who cares for her sister, who has autism spectrum disorder. The level of tension in the film reflects the distinctive tone inherent in Sia's voice. Some compositions were included on the film soundtrack, while others were specifically written for the album.

The album "Reasonable Woman" can be described as unremarkable in the musical world. It's easiest to list what it doesn't have, such as a specific time period or experimental musical elements. However, we will try to highlight its main features and value. This album may appeal to listeners looking for something simple and straightforward, without loud experiments or complex concepts.

What Kind of Music Does Sia's Voice Demand?

Sia and her producers have long developed a unique pop sound that perfectly suits her powerful voice. This voice has the ability to sound in both the low and high ranges, especially in emotional and intense choruses. It is difficult to perform anything less than epic with such a voice. For example, if you imagine Sia singing Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off," it would sound ridiculous. When Sia tried to perform similar songs, the results were often weak, as is the case with the track "Play Dumb," which uses auto-tunes.

Sia's voice has a unique nature: even in cheerful songs, its sound conveys notes of anguish, turning joy into something deeper and more tormented. It's reminiscent of affirmations like "I'm really having fun, I won't fall." A striking example of this phenomenon is the hit "Chandelier." Despite the fact that the song's lyrics are dedicated to parties and nightlife, its performance is perceived as the singer clinging to her last chance to breathe in the face of death.

Sia's voice has a unique quality that preserves the epic nature of her work. Even slow ballads sound grandiose thanks to her powerful vocals. The singer adds drive with her performance, and the musical accompaniment enhances the overall impression. The soundtrack to the film Music features ballads with orchestral arrangements, in which Sia masterfully weaves a heartbreaking chorus, accompanied by loud drums that create the effect of pounding into the heart of every listener.

The new album "Reasonable Woman" features epic ballads such as "Little Wing", "Immortal Queen", and "Nowhere to Be". These songs showcase deep emotion and musical complexity, captivating listeners and creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

Which songs on Reasonable Woman sound hopelessly dated?

Sia's music already has a hip-hop influence - powerful drum rhythms effectively highlight the singer's confident voice. In the track Reasonable Woman, she not only incorporates hip-hop elements, but also creates full-fledged hip-hop compositions, demonstrating her skill and diversity of musical style.

Although she has not yet become a rap artist, in her track Champion she invited three rappers: one man and two women, and sang the chorus herself. Nevertheless, the sound of the song is reminiscent of an artifact from 2010 - both in beats and in overall mood. The combination of rap reading and pop chorus makes the composition somewhat dated. It's a throwback to a time when mainstream rappers often turned to famous female singers to create hits, giving songs an epic feel, like Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie."

Sia's album features many vintage compositions, raising questions about her relevance and choice of vintage style. On "Incredible," a collaboration with Labrinth, the electronic drop with its distinctive sawing effects recalls the EDM of the mid-1920s. This genre became the foundation of Sia's fame: one of her breakout singles was "Titanium," a collaboration with renowned DJ David Guetta. However, the sound of that time was already outdated, and Guetta himself subsequently offered Sia a completely different beat, which can be heard on his album Music.

In the song «Fame Won’t Love You» Sia explores how fame drives artists to achieve, depriving them of true joy and connection with loved ones. Sia's emotionally charged voice makes the chorus line, "Fame won't love you like your mother and father," particularly poignant. However, the song then evolves into an unconventional duet with Paris Hilton, who also dabbled in music in the early 2000s. In recent years, she's only contributed one guest verse per year. This collaboration highlights the contrast between Sia's sincere struggles and Hilton's frivolous reputation, adding depth and meaning to the song's theme.

In this song, Paris Hilton probably symbolizes a person who has been mercilessly processed by fame and popularity. However, the question arises why this role went to a rich heiress and party girl, who has nothing to do with creativity. Fame came to her without much effort, only thanks to her origin. It would be more appropriate to choose an artist who achieved success thanks to her talent. In addition, her vocal abilities leave much to be desired: compared to Sia, Paris's voice sounds distinctly inexpressive.

And some are stylishly vintage

The album includes compositions created in a vintage style, each of which has its own unique vintage atmosphere. The twenties became a landmark period for disco-pop, largely due to the success of Dua Lipa. This revived genre once again attracted attention, which allowed Kylie Minogue, the queen of disco of the nineties and noughties, to return to the music scene.

Kylie Sia co-recorded the song "Dance Alone", which harmoniously combines elements of disco and modern synthesizer sounds. This composition attracts attention with its unique style and rhythmic mood, making it ideal for dance parties and clubs. "Dance Alone" demonstrates the artists' creative approach to musical design, creating an atmosphere in which everyone can enjoy the energy and dynamics.

Sia surprises with her creative approach, collaborating with Chaka Khan, an icon of dance music and one of the leading disco divas of the classic era. Instead of immersing herself in retro sounds, Sia creates a unique mix, combining elements of hip-hop and pop. On this composition, she not only sings but practically raps, which gives the track a fresh and relevant feel. This collaboration highlights Sia's innovative approach to music and her ability to blend different genres to create original and memorable pieces.

One Night is a tribute to the 2000s and the R&B era, featuring producer Timbaland. It blends hip-hop beats with rich orchestral samples. Sia showcases her vocal abilities, starting with seductive R&B undertones and elevating her voice to heights rarely seen in club music in the chorus. This song commands attention not only for its melody but also for its vibrant performance, making it unique in the modern music landscape.

How Sia Brought Together Pop and Indie

The album "Reasonable Woman" in Sia's discography is an interesting combination of different stages of her musical career. In the 2010s, Sia essentially rebooted her career, starting with collaborations with club artists like Flo Rida and David Guetta before releasing a number of pop hits on her own. However, it's important to remember that she already had experience in indie pop, which was closer to the style of Imogen Heap than to mainstream artists like Rihanna. This album demonstrates the evolution of her musical style and shows how Sia successfully merges different genres to create a unique sound.

Reasonable Woman features numerous indie-pop compositions created by Sia to provide variety to the computer-driven main body. These tracks feature bright piano, soft synths, and orchestral strings, lending the album emotional depth and atmosphere. Sia uses indie-pop as a vehicle for expressing her creative ideas and introducing elements that contrast with the rest of the album.

The album includes the most dramatic songs, where the restrained music creates the necessary epicness. It gives space to Sia's voice, emphasizing its power with cellos and allowing it to pause, replacing the piano vocals. There are so many spatial elements that on the track "I Forgive You," Sia stretches a single note for a full 10 seconds—something that would be impossible with electronic beats. Similar elements are present in the compositions "Nowhere to Be," "I Had a Heart," and "Rock and Balloon," where the beat harmoniously combines with original arrangements. These musical decisions emphasize the uniqueness of the album's sound and create an atmosphere that is memorable.

What's wrong with the album

Sia's vocals sometimes sound grotesque, especially against the simple mechanical beats that do not match the pathos of her performance. These beats would be better suited for a relaxed R&B singer. The music on Reasonable Woman is not as ambitious as the singing itself, and is often unremarkable, at times even reduced to self-repetition. For example, the opening track Little Wing is reminiscent of the hit Unstoppable (2016) and evokes a feeling of déjà vu.

Overall, there is a feeling of monotony: repeated high-note climaxes, similar lyrics, melodies, and vocal patterns are found in such compositions as Wanna Be Known, Champion, Nowhere to Be, and Go On. This may reduce the listener's interest, as the lack of variety in musical elements and lyrics can lead to predictability. Variety in musical techniques and originality in the lyrics could make the album more memorable and appealing to the audience.

In Sia's songs, the hooks penetrate the listener's consciousness as firmly as nails into wood. This effect is unavoidable, and despite a touching and emotional performance, repeated repetition can become irritating. Sia masterfully utilizes these techniques, creating memorable melodies that linger in the mind. However, it is precisely because of excessive repetition that some compositions lose their appeal, turning into an excessive background.