1000 Forms of Fear is the sixth studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Sia Furler,
released on July 4, 2014.
"Chandelier", released in March 2014, served as the album's lead single.
On June 2, 2014, "Eye of the Needle" was made available for download with album pre-orders
on iTunes Store.
The album received positive reviews from music critics, with many critics praising the album's
darker mood, as well as the production and Sia's vocals and songwriting skills.
The album received huge praise from both critics and the general public.
This album is expected to be a further step into a successful career for Sia.
Background 1000 Forms of Fear is Sia's first album in
four years.
The singer's fifth studio record We Are Born was released in June 2010 and has become her
most successful album to date, charting in several countries including France, UK, Germany,
the Netherlands, Canada and the US.
It also marked Sia's first top-ten album release in her home country, reaching number two on
the Australian Albums Chart.
However, Furler was uncomfortable with the prospect of becoming famous, refused to do
promotional appearances, and became addicted to alcohol and drugs.
In 2010, she was planning to commit suicide by overdosing on drugs but was stopped by
a friend, and began a twelve-step program.
She also changed her manager and focused on writing songs for other artists.
From 2011 to 2013, Sia co-wrote several popular singles, including "Wild Ones" by Flo Rida,
David Guetta's "Titanium" and "She Wolf", "Diamonds" by Rihanna, "Perfume" by Britney
Spears, and Beyoncé's "Pretty Hurts", which subsequently elevated Sia's profile as a singer
and songwriter.
On October 1, 2013, "Elastic Heart" was released as a single from the album The Hunger Games:
Catching Fire – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, and has charted in several countries.
In New Zealand, the single was certified gold.
In late 2013, a team of RCA Records representatives including the label's CEO Peter Edge met with
Sia to discuss a record deal.
Eventually, the singer signed a contract that would stipulate she doesn't have to tour or
do press appearances to promote the album.
Promotion In an interview with Dazed magazine, Sia explained
that she had decided not to show her face in videos and press shots in the campaign
for 1000 Forms of Fear, and focused on creating visual art through her videos instead.
The album's lead single "Chandelier", and its accompanying video was recreated during
a live performance of the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on May 19, 2014, with Ziegler
dancing in front of the audience and Furler facing the wall.
Sia continued this form of promotion on Late Night with Seth Meyers by having Lena Dunham
perform an interpretive dance in a blonde bob while Sia performed lying face-down in
a bed onstage.
On June 19, 2014, Sia appeared on The Howard Stern Show.
Singles "Chandelier" was released for digital download
onto iTunes Stores on 17 March 2014 as the albums lead single.
On May 6, 2014, the singer released a music video for the song, featuring 11-year old
dancer Maddie Ziegler in a blonde wig.
"Chandelier" received mainly positive reviews from music critics and was commercially successful.
It peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first single by Sia
to appeared on the chart as a lead artist.
"Chandelier" was successful in Australia and Europe, peaking within the top five of national
record charts including: Flanders, Australia and Norway, New Zealand, France , Scotland
, UK , and Slovakia.
The single was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association,
and gold by the Recorded Music NZ.
Critical reception 1000 Forms of Fear received mostly positive
reviews from music critics.
It currently has a score of 76 out of 100 on Metacritic indicating "Generally favorable
reviews", based on 25 critics, and on AnyDecentMusic?, it has a score of 7.0/10 based on 25 critical
reviews.
Heather Phares from Allmusic gave the album 4 out of 5 stars stating: "To say it's her
most accessible album yet doesn't diminish it or her previous albums; instead, it's the
sound of Furler owning her success."
MusicOMH also praised the album, saying it is "probably one of Sia's finest body of work"
and called it "an essential album."
Joe Hatfield of Pop Appraisal gave the album a positive review, noting, " Sia’s lasting
impression on the pop world will only be solidified with the release of 1000 Forms of Fear, and
whether she likes it or not, the fame fits her well."
Track listing Release history
See also
Greg Kurstin production discography
References
External links Official website