subject: Sia: We Are Born [print this page] The 35-year old Australian's vocals first made magic with ambient music duo Zero 7 on hits like In the Waiting Line' and Somersault'. Her solo career followed withColour The Small One and the brilliantSome People Have Real Problems. Her repertoire includes stellar tunes like Don't Let Me Down,' Soon We'll Be Found' andBreathe Me', which became Sia's breakout hit and was featured on the soundtracks ofGarden State,Six Feet Under andGrey's Anatomy.
Despite the impressive resum, we've always had the feeling that Sia's vocals were restrained, and we suspected that there's a lot more to this inspirational musician than languid, depressive songs. Just watch her live performance ofSoon We Will Be Found' on the David Letterman Show; and we defy you not to be blown away by her powerful voice.
Finally, Sia lets loose on her new albumWe Are Born, a compilation of fun, upbeat tracks filled with hand claps, pop synthesisers and catchy melodies. The good news is that Sia is happy for once, and singing her heart out about it. There's something positive and bubbly about the singer's new sound, thanks to producer Greg Kurstin, who has worked with Lilly Allen and Keane, and brings a heavier bass sound and funk rhythm toWe Are Born,making it radio-friendly material.
Clap Your Hands' is an irresistibly happy song, with sunny guitar riffs and (obviously) hand claps to compliment Sia's throaty vocals. It has great dance-floor potential, with excellent remixes byDiplo andFred Falkeout. Stop Trying' features tambourines, more clapping and lyrics that chant: We like you/ This is a Game Already Won/ Stop Trying,' a reminder to resist peer pressure and to accept your individual personalities. Bring Night' and You've Changed' are equally feel-good tunes that demonstrate the blossoming positivity of this once-gloomy singer.
On The Fight', Sia sings joyously, We made it through the darkness to the light/ Uh huh we fought/ But still we won the fight.' It's an unfazed celebration of life and a consolation to her former Don't Get Me Down' self; a reminder that that there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
It's hard to pin down a weak track on this accomplished album: although Hurting Me Now' sounds a little whiny, it's still a pretty good song. Even her cover of Madonna's Oh Father' works astonishingly well, and is a return to her trademark melancholy. As sacrilegious as this may sound; her heartfelt version is a step up from the Material Girl's original.
All in all,We Are Born is good pop, the kind that stays on your mind long after the bubbles fizzle out. Perhaps her best and brightest album yet, Sia proves our personal theory that good things come from Australia.
