MUSIC - Songs From And Inspired By The Motion Picture

If you, like me, adore the pop version of Sia that emerged post ‘Chandelier’, then this is easily Sia’s best album, hands down.The broad sonic landscape is one of profound techno-psychedelia; electronics dominate every track, squeaky pops and square wave plucks emerge in synthetic on-the-beat hits, and analogue synths are deployed to hone squelchy arpeggiating bass lines and bell chime melodic sequences.Perhaps most startling is the fleshed out vocal stacking that fills most of the music, most of the time. This unique method of creating a rich, complex harmonic language is singular to Sia; Lie To Me, Miracle and Saved My Life all feature straightforward chorus melodies upfront in the mix, while sprawling multilayered independent vocal lines weave impossible vocoder-style harmonies. Compositionally, the nesting of the vocal lead in these unusual, shimmering chords is quite remarkable - all the more when your ear picks out a muted take at the far sides of the stereo field.There are stand out moments.Take ‘Play Dumb’ - Jack Antonoff makes us aware of the use of the 808, Model D, Moog, Juno, M1 and Mellotron in the production credits, and it’s worth paying attention. The baseline is a remarkable piece of synth sculpting, floating in and out with insane licks after the acapella chorus opening, a satisfying resonance bite kicking in during the the 2nd verse and a lead screaming out of the left speaker in the climax of the track.Stereo and 3D imaging are a key feature running through ‘Music’, evident on my favourite track, Jesse Shatkin’s ‘Lie To Me’. Insanely tightly structured pop with Sia’s trademark soaring shout-sing long note smack in the chorus. Pizzicato strings develop from straight chords in the first verse to detailed, swirling, firework-like stabs in the second. It’s a prime example of Sia’s multi-layered voice so exploited to produce a unique sound design, so processed, a full embrace of West-Coast psychedelic outlook. Similarly ‘Hey Boy’ at first listen sounds begrudgingly simple until you define the countless ways Sia’s voice constructs the very essence of the track, bending in pitch, shrieking and wooping, decorating beats with tiny shouts of ‘hey!’ and forming robotic repeating pads deep in the mix during the chorus.Beautiful Things Can Happen elevates Sia’s top line writing to a whole new level. A yearning ballad in modified strophic form, the melody is surely the most simple, beautiful organic of her output to date. And that voice, the timbre just gives and gives.What excites beyond the beyond is the knowledge a finished - non-soundtrack-afflicted - album hangs, waiting to drop. If any of the sensibilities of this have been taken forward it should be a classic.

A bit sunnier than 1000 forms of fear and This is acting. Same great lyrics, terrific melodies and that incredible voice. There is no one above and not really anyone on the same level for me. Original and powerful popmusic with touches of a lot of other things. Sia is such a skillfull musician; she`s not bound by any sjangre or style. It`s my bucket full of sunshine; just love it.

I like Sia's last album so took a risk with this one, it's has some good upbeat songs.I have not seen the film Music, which these songs come from though.

Sia always delivers ! ... Incredible voice, great songs and brilliant lyrics.

This whole thing is disgustingly ableist. If you have to listen to these songs, please download them on an MP3 app or something that doesn't give her any profit.

No. Do not support this. Not worth your time or money

each song is unique & the album as a whole is uplifting

The CD is great, Sia has a fantastic voice and she is a very talented singer.