Is Sia's "Reasonable Woman" Her Best Album Yet? Album Review

It has been 10 years since the world was introduced to Sia's "1000 Forms of Fear." The album debuted at No. 1 on the U.S Billboard 200 and was marked by the globally acclaimed single "Chandelier," making Sia a household name. Since then, Sia has released "This Is Acting" in 2016, several Christmas-themed works, a musical drama "Music - Songs from and Inspired by the Motion Picture" in 2021, and most not ably, a collaboration with Labrinth (the British singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his work on the soundtrack of the HBO series "Euphoria") and Diplo (co-creator and lead member of the electronic dancehall music project Major Lazer) on "Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Presents… LSD", which debuted in 2019. However, it wasn't until May 3, 2024, that Sia released her 10th studio album, "Reasonable Woman", through Monkey Puzzle and Atlantic Records, marking her return to solo album, a venture that has been in the works since 2020.

Produced by Jesse Shatkin and Greg Kurstin (known for his work on Adele’s '30'), "Reasonable Woman" features an expansive list of collaborators. The album consists of 15 tracks with a runtime of just under 50 minutes. However, time seems to fly as Sia keeps listeners engaged with unexpected production and sudden changes in tempo.

The album opens with "Little Wings," co-written with Jesse Shatkin, a long-time collaborator of Sia. This track serves as another motivational anthem, featuring lyrics like "Don't give up, keep trying / I know soon you’ll be flying" and "I know you can't stop crying / But tears dry when you’re flying.” Putting it in one line with 'Unstoppable' and 'Bird Set Free' from her 2016 "album, the track cleverly uses pauses in the accompaniment to emphasize key lyrical moments. The vocal harmonies are exceptionally layered, creating a powerful chorus effect – it’s like 20 Sias are singing at once.

Following this, the album presents the unapologetically braggadocious "Immortal Queen" featuring Chaka Khan. The track takes us on a time machine to both the future and the past, where the Queen is always ‘queening’. “Queen Victoria, Queen of Sheba, Queen of bees, yeah, I'm the queen diva." It's as if a Midjourney prompt said 'give me an immortal queen, more immortal, more queen’ to amplify the slay factor by ten.

It's very fitting to introduce "Dance Alone" with Kylie Minogue right after – two Aussie queens on a quintessential dance track that encourages listeners to let loose. Just throw your hands up and sing: ‘I just wanna dance alone’... 32 times in a row, to be precise. Yes, you read that right.

The tempo slows for "I Had a Heart," the perfect post-breakup song for cathartic release, ending sharply on the word ‘STOP’. It's as if Sia is saying “we had time to cry, but the time is up and now it’s time to move forward”.

Then comes "Gimme Love”, a stadium-ready anthem with an expanded, dramatic feel compared to the single version. Fans can chant along to the lyrics "Gimme love, gimme love, gimme love, baby." The track ends with a shift in beat, signaling yet another change in mood.

"Towards The Sun" describes a new infatuation, with Sia singing about being led towards the sun after hitting a low point. The melody in the chorus echoes "Titanium," providing a familiar and uplifting feel, complemented by an '80s-style instrumental outro.

“Incredible” is one of the many songs that Sia and Labrinth worked on for LSD. First revealed and previewed in the final trailer for the black comedy "Assassination Nation" in September 2018, it was ultimately not included in the soundtrack or the LSD album. However, it has found a fitting place in "Reasonable Woman," and the addition of Labrinth's smooth vocals is, well... incredible.

And of course, we can’t talk about the album without ”I Forgive You”, a solo adaptation of the 2014 collaboration with French artist Gims (or Maitre Gims) titled "Je te pardonne.” This new version features all-English lyrics and, while maintaining the melodic charm of the original, Sia's deeper, emotional vocal delivery sends shivers through the body.

Just after you are done sobbing, comes ”Wanna Be Known," with a perfect balance of chill-step beat and melancholic tunes. Think driving on the Pacific Coast Highway, feeling the breeze in your hair and catching sun rays with your hands, wrapped in Sia’s belting chorus. The production here is impeccable.

"One Day" is a standout, a Bollywood-esque track where Sia takes you on a trip of a lifetime, let it be Milan, Cairo, Paris, or Jamaica. You may or may not know the language, culture, or dance moves, but you are so high on happiness and filled with a sense of freedom that you simply embrace the moment.

Other notable tracks on the album include "Fame Won’t Love You" featuring Paris Hilton and "Champion," a dynamic collaboration with Tierra Whack, Kaliii, and Jimmy Jolliff, reminiscent of 'The Greatest.’ Benny Blanco has also added his touch to ‘Go On,’ and Rosalía has been enlisted as one of the writers on "I Had a Heart."

The album closes with "Rock And Balloon," a raw and vulnerable track with lyrics navigating a journey from deep emotional turmoil to hopeful, pure, child-like metaphors: 'You are my dog to the bone / You are the place I call home'. The musical accompaniment intentionally creates an atmosphere of discomfort, enhancing the emotional depth of Sia's vocal delivery with cracking voice and occasional sniffling, which is almost painfully intimate.

Overall, "Reasonable Woman" serves as a soundtrack for those navigating through dark times, offering a balanced mix of emotional outbursts, motivational anthems, and dance tracks, all with a sense of hope that there is someone out there to lift you out of hell.

While some songs may not reach the iconic status of past hits like ‘Titanium’, ‘Cheap Thrills’, or ‘Chandelier’, the album is a solid collection, showcasing Sia's incredible vocals and impressive production. With that said, "Reasonable Woman" earns a 7.6/10 rating from PopFiltr.