The latest track from Sia essentially sounds like it was made for Rihanna. Which is no surprise really when the Australian singer-songwriter is responsible for some of Rihanna’s biggest hits.
In fact, it’s her songwriting that Sia is most famous for –
in the last year alone she’s written for such megastars as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Britney,
Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue and Celine Dion.
Then there’s her previous collaborations with The Weeknd, David Guetta
and Flo Rida on which she offered her unique, powerful vocals. It’s easy to forget, therefore, that she has
five solo albums under her belt (Chandelier
is the first single from her forthcoming sixth album). Sia is basically the biggest unknown megastar
in pop.
And that’s a surprising statement when her music is so
unashamedly epic. The mid-tempo Chandelier is no different with its crazed vocals and complete lack
of subtlety. Lyrically it’s all a bit
bizarre, using the titular lighting fixture as a metaphor for overindulging in
a party lifestyle – the exact lifestyle she seems to naturally eschew. “Party girls don't get hurt, can't feel anything” she
sings in the opening line, whilst in the howling chorus she claims "I am
holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes” as if she’s
genuinely panicked. Just when you think Sia
can’t sing any higher she turns it up a notch.
Alongside the towering production, it’s enough to induce vertigo.
3/5
Listen: Chandelier is released on 1st June.