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Sia’s music has always struck a chord with me; her powerful vocals and poignant lyrics never fail to captivate. From the raw emotion of “1000 Forms of Fear” to the playful vibes of “This Is Acting,” she’s an artist who’s not afraid to bare her soul.
Ranking her albums is no easy task, each one is a mosaic of creativity and depth. But I’m up for the challenge! Let’s dive into the evocative world of Sia and see how her studio albums stack up against each other.
Get ready for a journey through a discography that’s as eclectic as it is bold. I’ll be breaking down what makes each album a hit or a miss, and which ones are absolute must-listens.
Sia’s Discography: A Ranking of Her Albums
Over the years, I’ve watched Sia’s evolution from a quirky indie artist to a powerhouse pop sensation. Her discography is a testament to her versatility and talent. It’s clear she’s not just another pop star; she’s a force in the music industry. Her albums are complex tapestries of emotion and sound, each offering a different facet of her artistry.
1000 Forms of Fear is often hailed as the album that skyrocketed her to fame. Thanks to the global hit “Chandelier,” this album is packed with anthems that radiate resilience. But it’s not just about chart-toppers; the depth in songs like “Elastic Heart” and “Big Girls Cry” showcases her ability to blend raw emotion with catchy hooks.
Another standout in her discography is Some People Have Real Problems. This album features some of her most soulful work, like the captivating “Soon We’ll Be Found.” It’s a reminder that she’s not just a voice behind a wig; she’s a songwriter who crafts stories that resonate with fans worldwide.
Here’s a quick glance at how I’d rank Sia’s studio albums:
- 1000 Forms of Fear
- Some People Have Real Problems
- This Is Acting
- We Are Born
- Colour the Small One
- Healing Is Difficult
- OnlySee
Of course, This Is Acting, composed primarily of songs written for other artists, deserves recognition. Hits like “Cheap Thrills” and “The Greatest” are proof of her unmatched ability to write chart-topping music for herself and her peers.
We Are Born often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. This album escapes the shadow of her more popular records with its upbeat, retro pop feel, echoing the jubilant vibes of the ’80s. Songs like “Clap Your Hands” showcase Sia’s skill in creating bops that make you want to dance.
When I think of raw and intimate, Colour the Small One comes to mind. It’s an earlier work that’s stripped back but deeply impactful, a far cry from the powerful pop she’s known for now, yet it has an emotional gravity that’s undeniable. The haunting “Breathe Me” is a perfect example of that.
1. “Some People Have Real Problems”: A Daring Debut
Released in 2008, “Some People Have Real Problems” marked a pivotal moment in Sia’s career. It wasn’t her first album, but it certainly was a breakthrough that echoed her uniqueness across the international music scene. This album shows Sia in a different light, one where her raw emotional depth and vocal prowess take center stage, allowing audiences to experience her music on a more personal level.
The album’s cover features a close-up of a tearful Sia, a visual metaphor for the vulnerability and honesty that bleed through the tracks. Songs like “Day Too Soon” and “Lentil” are testament to her ability to blend catchy melodies with soul-stirring lyrics. Yet, it’s the hauntingly beautiful “Soon We’ll Be Found” that stands as a testament to her songcraft. The track uses metaphor and imagery that’s both relatable and deeply personal, a combination that’s become a Sia signature.
Critical Reception
Critics praised “Some People Have Real Problems” for its sincerity and eclectic mix of sounds. It’s an album that doesn’t fit neatly into a single genre box—incorporating elements of pop, soul, jazz, and even funk. Sia’s vocal range is on full display, and her ability to convey emotion through music won her more than just chart success—it earned her a dedicated following.
| Chart | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 | 26 |
| Australian Albums | 41 |
| UK Albums | 41 |
The commercial success of “Some People Have Real Problems” was significant, not just on the charts but also in the cementing of Sia’s place in the industry as an artist of substance. This success set the stage for her future hits and was a clear indicator of her potential to transform and adapt in the evolving landscape of music.
In listening to this album, it’s evident that Sia found her rhythm in the unpredictability of her compositions. Tracks like “Girl You Lost to Cocaine” provide an upbeat counterbalance to the more mellow tunes, showcasing her versatility. The balance of ups and downs in tempo and mood resembles the very real problems she refers to in the album’s title, giving listeners a full spectrum of human emotion.
2. “We Are Born”: A Pop Explosion
Following “Some People Have Real Problems,” Sia surprised her audience with a bold turn towards the pop genre in “We Are Born.” As her fifth studio album, We Are Born marked a significant evolution in Sia’s sound, emulating a pop explosion that resonated with a wider audience. The album’s release in 2010 saw Sia diving into more upbeat tempos and catchy melodies, without losing the emotional honesty that her fans had come to expect.
The record spun out several successful tracks, such as “Clap Your Hands” and “You’ve Changed,” showcasing Sia’s versatility as a songwriter. Through these songs, she channeled a more joyful and carefree side, which contrasted with the deeper, somber tones of her previous work. Each track served as a testament to her extraordinary ability to write hook-laden songs that can get anyone on their feet.
We Are Born also stands out for its dynamic collaborations. The jaw-dropping collaboration with The Strokes’ Nick Valensi on guitar brought a rockier edge to the pop-centric album. With producer Greg Kurstin at the helm, Sia’s sound was polished to a sparkling sheen, perfectly suited for the radio waves yet still brimming with substance.
The album’s commercial performance was noteworthy:
| Metrics | Details |
|---|---|
| Chart Performance | Peaked in the Top 10 in Australia |
| Accolades | Won ARIA Award for Best Pop Release |
Despite its pop-oriented leanings, We Are Born continued to feature the raw lyricism and vocal intensity that Sia’s earlier work boasted. The album propelled her into the mainstream limelight yet managed to keep the artistic integrity that her long-term fans admired. With an infectious energy coursing through its tracks, We Are Born captures the essence of celebrating life itself, threading Sia’s vocal mastery with driving beats and effervescent synths that demand attention.
We Are Born’s approach to pop music with an indie twist highlighted Sia’s adaptability and was indicative of her will to experiment and push boundaries within her music career. Her ability to merge mainstream appeal with her unique artistry was solidified with this release, proving once again that Sia was no ordinary pop artist but a musical chameleon capable of reinventing her sound with each new project.
3. “1000 Forms of Fear”: The Birth of a Star
As I delve deeper into Sia’s discursive treasure trove, I can’t help but spotlight “1000 Forms of Fear” as a benchmark in her career. Released in 2014, this album acted as a resonant megaphone blasting Sia’s artistic prowess into the stratosphere. It’s not just another chapter in her discography; it’s the birth of a star.
Within “1000 Forms of Fear”, you’ll find an intense blend of Sia’s soul-baring lyricism and chart-topping propensity. The single “Chandelier” is more than just a viral sensation; it’s a painful narrative of self-destruction and redemption, encapsulated in a three-minute pop anthem. The album wrestles with themes of anxiety, empowerment, and resilience, setting a benchmark for pop music with depth.
“1000 Forms of Fear” was a commercial triumph, reaching No. 1 on the US Billboard 200. The success didn’t just stop at chart performance; it was a critical darling as well, with commentators commending the album’s emotional layers and sonic innovation.
- Critical Reception: The album was universally lauded for its emotional rawness and the character that Sia’s voice brought to each track.
- Sales Figures: It not only topped the US charts but also earned Sia numerous accolades, including ARIA Awards and MTV Music Awards.
- Cutting-Edge Production: With producers like Greg Kurstin at the helm, the album’s sound was a crisp, electric current against the landscape of contemporary pop.
With tracks like “Elastic Heart” and “Big Girls Cry”, this album wasn’t just a showcase of Sia’s maturation as a pop star. It was a declaration of her storytelling acumen, her ability to convey life’s most abrasive experiences through a medium that’s often pegged as surface-level.
Undoubtedly, the significance of “1000 Forms of Fear” in Sia’s career trajectory cannot be understated. It’s the album where her vocals were not just heard but felt on a global scale, and her mask of anonymity began to slip, revealing the powerhouse artist underneath.
4. “This Is Acting”: An Artistic Charade
When examining Sia’s discography, the 2016 album “This Is Acting” demands attention. Unlike Sia’s previous albums, “This Is Acting” is a collection of songs originally written for other artists. The concept plays brilliantly to Sia’s strengths as a songwriter and as a vocal chameleon.
One of the standout tracks, “Cheap Thrills”, became a global hit, peaking at the top of the charts in over 20 countries. It’s a testament to Sia’s ability to craft infectious melodies that resonate universally.
The story behind “This Is Acting” is that Sia unearths the potential in songs that might have never seen the light of day. Each track, though penned with another artist in mind, is performed with such conviction that it’s almost impossible to imagine anyone else singing them.
Here’s a glimpse of how “This Is Acting” fared globally:
| Chart | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 | 4 |
| Australian ARIA Charts | 1 |
| UK Albums Chart | 3 |
| Canadian Albums Chart | 2 |
The success of “This Is Acting” is not merely in its chart performance; it’s in the way Sia reinvents the discarded, weaving her own personal narrative into the framework of pop hits. The album delves into themes of fame, identity, and performance, serving as a meta-commentary on Sia’s career and the music industry as a whole.
Tracks like “Alive” and “Bird Set Free” showcase Sia’s powerful vocal range and convey a sense of empowerment and survival. The production, handled predominantly by longtime collaborator Greg Kurstin, provides a polished backdrop to Sia’s distinctive vocals and lyrical prowess.
The audacity of “This Is Acting” lies in Sia’s ability to transform songs passed on by other artists and inhabit them so fully that they come to life anew. With this album, Sia proves she’s not just a hitmaker for others but a formidable artist in her own right, further cementing her position in the music industry.
5. “Everyday Is Christmas”: A Holiday Surprise
When Sia announced she’d be releasing a holiday album, fans and critics alike were intrigued. “Everyday Is Christmas” emerged as a pleasant detour from her usual pop anthems. Released in 2017, this album strayed from the typical yuletide classics, delivering original tracks all penned by Sia and her frequent collaborator, Greg Kurstin.
This holiday album became known not just for its catchy tunes, but also for breathing new life into the often-stagnant genre of Christmas music. Tracks like “Santa’s Coming for Us” and “Candy Cane Lane” brought fresh sounds to the festive season, while “Snowman” and “Underneath the Mistletoe” showcased Sia’s talent for deeper and more emotive songwriting.
Chart performance of the album was modest, a stark contrast to the explosive success of her previous records. However, “Everyday Is Christmas” managed to create its own niche, earning a spot on holiday playlists around the globe.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2017 |
| Chart Peak Position | 27 |
| US Billboard 200 | 27 |
Behind the cheerful facade of the album’s holiday theme, Sia infused her signature vulnerability and heartfelt lyrics, hinting at the complexities that often accompany the festive season—a testament to her layered artistry. It’s an album that finds a balance between making spirits bright and acknowledging that the holidays can bring a mix of emotions.
For some, “Everyday Is Christmas” may not reach the heights achieved by Sia’s more mainstream albums. Yet it illustrates her versatility as an artist willing to explore different musical landscapes. It proves she’s not just bound to the expectations set by her chart-topping hits, but is a multifaceted performer. Whether you’re looking for something to boost your holiday cheer or songs that resonate with the bittersweet sides of Christmas, this album has a bit of everything.
Conclusion: Discovering the Gems Within Sia’s Discography
Sia’s journey through music has been nothing short of remarkable. From the raw emotion of “Some People Have Real Problems” to the pop evolution in “We Are Born,” each album represents a unique facet of her artistry. “1000 Forms of Fear” was a game-changer, catapulting her to new heights, while “This Is Acting” revealed her incredible songwriting adaptability. And let’s not forget the festive cheer she brought with “Everyday Is Christmas.” Her versatility shines through every track, making her discography a treasure trove for any music lover. As I’ve explored her albums, I’ve grown to appreciate the depth and breadth of Sia’s musical genius. Her work isn’t just heard; it’s felt, and that’s what makes her discography truly stand out.