Today, Sia once again proved that she is one of contemporary music’s most innovative (and social media savvy) figures by releasing the tracklist for her upcoming album, This Is Acting, in a totally new and unexpected way. Song titles were plastered across the marquees of various theaters around the world and then shared via her Instagram, through which she also debuted snippets of her new track, “Reaper” which is now available in its full entirety online. The brand new single was co-written and produced by Kanye West and we can definitely spot shades of the rapper in the following lyrics:
broke down thought that I would drown
hope that I’d be found before I hit the ground
some days out the corner of my eye (hey)
saw you weeping saw you creeping saw you sneaking
in the shadows long the fear so strong
saw you out the corner of my eye
This week has been an exciting one for Sia fans as the singer/songwriter also announced that she will perform two Sunday sets at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California on April 17th and 24th. These concerts will be her first full-length live shows in the United States in over five years. In addition, her Alive Remixes EP was just released and features new versions of the first single off of This Is Acting. The EP includes tracks from Maya Jane Coles, AFSHeeN, Boehm, Cahill and Plastic Plates, whose remix has been climbing the HypeMachine charts, peaking at #2 on the Popular chart. Sia has performed the original track on multiple television shows including, Saturday Night Live, The Voice, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Based on the popularity of the first single off of Sia’s forthcoming seventh album, it appears that everyone wants to feel “Alive”and that Sia is in the mood for love, especially of the self. Lyrics of other tracks on This Is Acting continue the debut track’s theme of survival and self discovery. Several songs hint at romantic connections and break-ups but the overwhelming theme of the album seems to be rising from the ashes to live fully, find confidence in yourself, and have fun. There also are a few wildcard tracks such as “Sweet Design,” Sia’s own version of “The Thong Song.”
This Is Acting releases on January 29th. Fans who pre-order the album will receive current single “Alive,” “Bird Set Free,” “One Million Bullets,” “Cheap Thrills,” and “Reaper” instantly.
See the tracklist and snippets of our favorite lyrics from This Is Acting below.
1. Bird Set Free
I don’t care if I sing off key
I found myself in my melodies
I sing for love I sing for me
I’ll shout it out like a bird set free
2. Alive
I found solace in the strangest place, way in the back of my mind
I saw my life in a stranger’s face, and it was mine
3. One Million Bullets
under the moonlight, within your warm embrace
I feel so safe here, babe you were worth the wait
yeah I picked the wrong kind, time after time I
drank from the poisoned wine
yeah I picked the wrong kind
but baby you’re all right, baby I’ve seen the light
4. Move Your Body
poetry in your body, got me started
may it never end
feel your rhythm in my system
this is living, I’m your only friend
feel the beat in your chest
beat your chest like an animal
free the beast from its cage
free the rage like an animal
5. Unstoppable
I’m unstoppable
I’m invincible
I’ll smile, I know what it takes to fool this town
I’ll do it ‘til the sun goes down
and all through the night time
oh yeah, I’ll tell you what you want to hear
keep my sunglasses on while I shed a tear
it’s never the right time
I’ll put my armor on, show you how strong I am
I’ll put my armor on, I’ll show you that I am
6. Cheap Thrills
hit the dancefloor, hit the dancefloor
I got all I need
no I ain’t got cash, I ain’t got cash
but I got you baby
7. Reaper
so come back when I’m good and old
I got drinks to drink, and men to hold
I got good things to do with my life
8. House on Fire
boy I’m gonna drink you in like oxygen, like oxygen
baby I’m a house on fire
and I wanna keep burning
boy I’m going up in flames
and you’re to blame, yeah you’re to blame
9. Footprints
only 2 footprints in the sand
thought you’d abandoned me and let go of my hand
but you were carrying me, carrying me to safety
2 footprints, your footprints in the sand
10.Sweet Design
my peach juicy soft and so delicious
my seat is here to bring your wicked wishes
true love, come on baby turn it up
my curves are ready, ain’t you heard enough?
news travels fast when you got an ass like
my sweet design
11.Broken Glass
rough seas will be calm
hold on while we weather the storm
we fall down like dogs playing dead
but our love’s not worth playing chicken with
12.Space Between
no one’s moving, we lack the courage to
we lay in stalemate, wishing the other would
but we’re too tired, we let the embers cool
– Jasmine Williams for The Untitled Magazine
