Australian singer/songwriter Sia returns with her 10th album, ‘Reasonable Woman’, her first since 2021’s film soundtrack album ‘Music’ and her first proper studio album since 2016’s ‘This Is Acting’. Renowned for her incredible and unique vocal delivery style and powerful songwriting – which has seen artists from Rihanna to Kylie taking on songs Sia has written – ‘Reasonable Woman’ is a collection of 15 tracks recorded over the last few years.
The first tasters of the album came last year with the release of ‘Gimme Love’ and earlier this year with disco-tinged second single ‘Dance Alone' which saw Sia reteam with Kylie Minogue (the pair worked together on Kylie’s 2014 album ‘Kiss Me Once’). Both tracks are distinctively Sia and though nice, don't feel like her strongest work.
Sia is known for her empowering anthems and there’s definitely plenty to choose from on this album including opener ‘Little Wing' which urges the subject of the song not to give up; they'll be flying soon. Elsewhere on the album Sia sings “You won't forget about me” as she sets her sights on aligning with historic figures, on the catchy ‘Immortal Queen', perhaps inspired by the legendary Chaka Khan who lends her vocals to the track. LSD collaborator Labrinth co-wrote and duets on one of the albums more experimental tracks ‘Incredible’. While Paris Hilton purrs as a guest vocalist on the aptly named ‘Fame Won’t Love You’ with great effect – definitely an album highlight.
Another of the album's strongest moments ‘Champion’, feels like it’ll be synced for any and every sporting event this summer. It features US rappers Tierra Whack and Kaliii alongside songwriter Jimmy Jolliff and is a mix between Sia’s own ‘The Greatest’ and Public Enemy’s ‘Harder Than You Think’ in it's vibe.
Hints of Bhangra are the backdrop for the suggestive ‘One Night', which sees Sia taking us around the world in search of pleasure. Sia's vocal delivery is always full of emotion and ‘I Had A Heart' is no exception as a heartbreak anthem that tells an ex they've lost a good thing.
Overall ‘Reasonable Woman' is very much what you'd expect from a Sia album. That's no bad thing, but personally I would've liked to hear something more unexpected and perhaps one less song about being strong in the face of adversity. If you're a fan of her previous albums, there's much to love, if not it's unlikely this album will be for you.
Track list: 1. Little Wing 2. Immortal Queen 3. Dance Alone 4. I Had A Heart 5. Gimme Love 6. Nowhere To Be 7. Towards The Sun 8. Incredible 9. Champion 10. I Forgive You 11. Wanna Be Known 12. One Night 13. Fame Won't Love You 14. Go On 15. Rock And Balloon Released by: Atlantic Records Release date: 3rd May 2024 Buy ‘Reasonable Woman’ now
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