Sia 1000 Forms Of Fear

After five albums and 12-plus years of building a solo career, Sia was burned out. To stay inspired, the Adelaide-born artist began collaborating—landing hits in 2011 as a guest vocalist on David Guetta’s “Titanium” and Flo Rida’s “Wild Ones”—and writing songs for others, including Rihanna’s 2012 multiplatinum single, “Diamonds”. By the time she was ready to release album number six, the singer/songwriter was fully reinvigorated. On 2014’s 1000 Forms of Fear, Sia bursts out of the gate with “Chandelier”, a thunderous declaration of her formidable pop-star power. That opening statement packages triumph and tragedy into a monstrous, high-drama hook, setting the pace for an album stacked with more heavy-hitters, including anthemic power ballads “Big Girls Cry”, “Elastic Heart” and “Fire Meet Gasoline.” Amid the slick, snappy electro-pop, Sia roars, howls, squeaks and quivers—her voice a constantly spinning weathervane of emotion. Every track here feels like a cathartic victory, and that intensity would resonate with listeners worldwide. The album’s success inspired Sia to embrace the spotlight and continue shaping her singular pop vision.