This Is Acting
by Sia
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Jan 29, 2016
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 522 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 410 out of 522
  2. Mixed: 54 out of 522
  3. Negative: 58 out of 522
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  1. ZhaneJohnson
    Jan 29, 2016
    8
    Incredible vocals! Even though she acted when she made those songs she did a great job. She made a nowadays album! I think she could've made an effort with lyrics, some of them are just great but nothing much. Broken Glass is one of my fav because she shows she has a f*cking great voice! She's an artist
  2. leonardohuatuco
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    Best álbum of the 2016 and one best in pop. its excelent . new rhythms for sia , best vocal and the best lyrics , sia, this álbum shows the power to make good music . This is the real pop álbum.
  3. Grutzmacher
    Jan 30, 2016
    10
    this new work from Sia surpassed its predecessor album, this album brings a totally different thematic of all the latest albums released, make an album with 90% of the songs rejected by other artists is not for everyone! Luck of Sia and fans because this album is wonderful
  4. maximchuma
    Jan 30, 2016
    9
    Undoubtedly, the record This Is Acting was in the list of the most anticipated albums of the year. Finally Sia shared with fans of the result of her long work. Concept eighth album was announced long before the release: songs written for other artists, and rejected them, among the performers - Rihanna, Adele, Katy Perry and Cheryl.

    Before we actually have pop hits: After Chandelier we    Undoubtedly, the record This Is Acting was in the list of the most anticipated albums of the year. Finally Sia shared with fans of the result of her long work. Concept eighth album was announced long before the release: songs written for other artists, and rejected them, among the performers - Rihanna, Adele, Katy Perry and Cheryl.

    Before we actually have pop hits: After Chandelier we have hit after hit, and This is Acting is all 12 at once, or still not? Anyway, there is an idea why these compositions are still not been adopted by other artists. After listening to a few tracks in a row is a feeling that they were recorded as individual singles, do not vary greatly from one to another and do not constitute a single album.    … Expand
  5. diegonelli
    Jan 29, 2016
    8
    Amazing album. Much better than 1000 Forms of Fear. So happy than those mainstream artists rejected these beautiful songs and Sia could own them :) Favs: Cheap Thrills, Unstoppable, Space Between. 8/10 for me.
  6. irled
    Jan 29, 2016
    7
    Credit where credit is due. This album is primarily made up of songs Sia has written herself for other artists, who ultimately rejected them. First, brownie points for writing your own material, unlike some performers (I'm looking at you Beyonce). Second, more points for having the vocal talent to perform them on your own without computer assistance (I spotted a few pitchy moments).Credit where credit is due. This album is primarily made up of songs Sia has written herself for other artists, who ultimately rejected them. First, brownie points for writing your own material, unlike some performers (I'm looking at you Beyonce). Second, more points for having the vocal talent to perform them on your own without computer assistance (I spotted a few pitchy moments). Finally, points for giving consideration and care to your non-anthemic pieces. Everyone loved Chandelier and Elastic Heart, myself included, but the real strength of this album isn't in the bangers that will most likely get the air time (Alive), but rather the more nuanced spots like "Reaper," which is my favorite track on this album.

    Bottom line, Sia is extraordinarily talented from both a songwriting and artistry perspective. She deserves the success she has had, and this album is a good showing overall, while I don't believe it will attain the same societal pervasiveness, it will further endear already budding fans into full-fledged devotees.    … Expand
  7. lucasripe
    Feb 1, 2016
    10
    Incredible vocals! Even though she acted when she made those songs she did a great job. She made a nowadays album! I think she could've made an effort with lyrics, some of them are just great but nothing much. Broken Glass is one of my fav because she shows she has a f*cking great voice! She's an artist
  8. HenriqGiovanini
    Feb 1, 2016
    9
    This Is Acting é um dos melhores álbuns de Sia. A cantora retornou cheia de força e sentimento, deixando de vez os bastidores e se transformando em uma nova Diva Pop. Amei! Não consigo parar de ouvi-lo.
  9. Thomisu
    Feb 2, 2016
    9
    Unstoppable, Move Your Body and Set Free Bird son las perlas de este CD. No hay canciones que no me gusten. Solo un par que yo personalmente no hubiera puesto (House on Fire y Footprints). El álbum no es original, es muy parecido al anterior a nivel de sound, pero si que lo es a nivel de tema: ella actúa sus canciones escritas y rechazadas por otras compañeras (Adele, Beyonce, Rihanna,Unstoppable, Move Your Body and Set Free Bird son las perlas de este CD. No hay canciones que no me gusten. Solo un par que yo personalmente no hubiera puesto (House on Fire y Footprints). El álbum no es original, es muy parecido al anterior a nivel de sound, pero si que lo es a nivel de tema: ella actúa sus canciones escritas y rechazadas por otras compañeras (Adele, Beyonce, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Shakira...).

    Un muy buen CD. Espero que tenga el éxito que se merece.    … Expand
  10. markfann979
    Feb 2, 2016
    10
    Great album. Sia makes this album work. The way she can make her voice twist and soar is incredible. Nice album to just listen to start to finish. Highlights are: Cheap Thrills, Alive, Bird Set Free, and Broken Glass (my personal favorite).
  11. GFactor
    Jun 10, 2016
    8
    Sia tem uma qualidade vocal impressionante e somada aos ótimos arranjos: temos um dos melhores álbuns do ano!
    Ela veste bem a forma de "atuar", como ela se propõe, em cada faixa e faz parecer que ninguém poderia cantar tal música! Será injustiçado nas premiações, tal como os passados, porém não por falta de qualidade, pois isso tem de sobra.
  12. UmLuan
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    It sure is a better album that many out there that need to be bought by multinationals and distributed freely to avoid failure.
    This album shows that it is possible to make good music with just a pen.
    It proved to be the best without having to make the conceptual and different line.
  13. JesusKuyoc
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    This is another great album by Sia, even thought is not as risky as 1000 Forms of Fear it’s still a adventurous album showing us a side of Sia we were waiting to see, listen to all those tracks written for another artists in the voice of the original composer is just magical as Sia takes us in a delightful ride listening to nice, danceable and enjoyable music,
  14. ThisIsActing
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    Oh this holy album is everything in my life. Sia did a very good job with all these perfect songs. Glad the artists rejected these masterpieces so that Sia could sing them for this masterpiece!
  15. Juca
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    Sia nos mostra que tem um potencial incrível, letras boas, melodias agradáveis e um fôlego pra nos levar a ouvir seu álbum até o final sem cansar. Entre canções dançantes e baldas fortes a cantora australiana consegue realizar um bom trabalho e o resultado final do this is acting é maravilhoso
  16. HolyFloWelch
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    Excellent album. Every song is great and Sia's vocals are outstanding. All the artists who rejected these songs, except One Million Bullets, are really dumb.
  17. thaleslucas
    Jan 29, 2016
    7
    By far, this is the most pretentious album Sia career. Organize and quickly produce an album with tracks discarded by other artists is something great, if it wasn't a little tragic.

    Most of the album has the same sound of this precedent, "1000 Forms of Fear", but with less drama and dark in the compositions. Here, we see Sia safer and relaxed lyrically, precisely because those are    By far, this is the most pretentious album Sia career. Organize and quickly produce an album with tracks discarded by other artists is something great, if it wasn't a little tragic.

    Most of the album has the same sound of this precedent, "1000 Forms of Fear", but with less drama and dark in the compositions. Here, we see Sia safer and relaxed lyrically, precisely because those are compositions that she wrote thinking in other artists, it's pop compositions.

    Within production, the album follows a general pattern radio. More different musics in this regard are "Move Your Body", a super dance track discarded by Shakira, "Reaper" (co-produced by Kanye West) and "Thrills Chips" - the latter two being ignored by hitmaker Rihanna.

    In the end, "This Is Acting" is a common pop album, like any current mainstream music would sound. That's all.    … Expand
  18. legendarysia
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    Now this is excellence in form of pop. Every song is a masterpiece and memorable. Can't wait for Sia's next album which will be written and produced entirely for it.
  19. chidime
    Jan 29, 2016
    7
    I am torn between a 7 and an 8, but I'll give a 7 for now. The album, in totality is good. It is cohesive and gives you a good idea of what Sia was trying to achieve with it. However, what I didn't like was the fact that many of the pre-released songs seem to rehash the chandelier formula, especially instrumental wise. The same drum machine sound in similar patterns/beats. However, thereI am torn between a 7 and an 8, but I'll give a 7 for now. The album, in totality is good. It is cohesive and gives you a good idea of what Sia was trying to achieve with it. However, what I didn't like was the fact that many of the pre-released songs seem to rehash the chandelier formula, especially instrumental wise. The same drum machine sound in similar patterns/beats. However, there are some songs on this that I found very new and refreshing, which to me is an indication of a good body of work. Such songs include Cheap Thrills, Reaper, Move Your Body, Sweet Design (love it), and the triple key change sweetness of Broken Glass. Unsurprisingly, these are the best songs in the album. The worst ones are the ones that sound thematically similar to her previous songs: Alive, Unstoppable, House on Fire. The others are just fine.… Expand
  20. SoundOfAMan
    Jan 29, 2016
    7
    While Sia has declared her awareness of the cheese factor in her hired-gun material, with its broad themes of self-empowerment and survival, she has a real gift for making it palatable.
  21. LADYGAGAGreece
    Jan 30, 2016
    10
    This is.... AMAZING! From the first track till the last one it's just perfection! There are some songs that are not that good but the absolute standouts such as "Cheep Thrills", "Move Your Body", " Bird Set Free" and "Unstoppable" overshadow the small imperfections!
  22. justsayingtruth
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    This Is Acting is a really good album, really love it; all the songs sounds like hits, and some lyrics are just wonderful. Don't underrate it and give her a chance, listen it, is really awesome!
  23. Wesley_orphan
    Jan 29, 2016
    8
    Não há o que comparar ao 1000 Forms Of Fear, afinal, isso é atuação, ela está apenas interpretando músicas escritas para outras pessoas, destaque para os vocais poderosos em Alive, Space Between e Bird Set Free que para mim é a música do álbum que mais combina com ela, basta reparar na letra.Move Your Body, Cheap Thrills e Sweet Design mostra um lado pouco visto de Sia e que deveria serNão há o que comparar ao 1000 Forms Of Fear, afinal, isso é atuação, ela está apenas interpretando músicas escritas para outras pessoas, destaque para os vocais poderosos em Alive, Space Between e Bird Set Free que para mim é a música do álbum que mais combina com ela, basta reparar na letra.Move Your Body, Cheap Thrills e Sweet Design mostra um lado pouco visto de Sia e que deveria ser mostrado mais.Até por que nem só de música conceitual viverá o homem.… Expand
  24. CharlieGray
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    For me, this is the best record of the year so far, although it may lacks the emotion in 1000 Forms of Fear, but it's just as good, after all, she didn't wrote the songs for the album, but for another artists.
  25. matrix19
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    Really good album, similar to Sia's last effort. Her strength lays in her distinctive and very emotional voice, as well as in the talent for songwriting.
  26. LegendaryMau
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love broken glass. A must listen seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  27. proterospongia
    Jan 29, 2016
    7
    Sia does a good job keeping her identity while impersonating several pop divas in her new album, This Is Acting. She nurtures with maternal love her children rejected by their foster mothers, getting the best of each track. Mrs Furler is a pop artist to the bone, and her work displays all the great qualities of mainstream music, and all its nastiest flaws too.

    Best Tracks: Cheap    Sia does a good job keeping her identity while impersonating several pop divas in her new album, This Is Acting. She nurtures with maternal love her children rejected by their foster mothers, getting the best of each track. Mrs Furler is a pop artist to the bone, and her work displays all the great qualities of mainstream music, and all its nastiest flaws too.

    Best Tracks: Cheap Thrills, House on Fire, One Million Bullets    … Expand
  28. willcosta
    Feb 1, 2016
    10
    Amazing vocals, awesome lyrics! Sia is showing even more versatility. Its better than 1000 forms of fear, in my opinion as a Sia fan. I hope to see amazing videos and justice for Sia on Grammys.
  29. popfan
    Feb 1, 2016
    10
    De longe o melhor álbum do ano e um dos melhores dela! Abre com uma das letras mais fantásticas que a música já foi agraciada. O álbum se distancia completamente de seu antecessor "1000 Forms Of Fear", o que só comprova que Sia não é mais uma caçadora de fama e atenção. Fantástico.
  30. Dinhuh
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    This Album is the best of 2016, Sia is one the true artist, and have one Big Talent. In This Album, Sia Pick all your feeling and transform in Music. One True Art
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Most Discussed Album of 2016
59
#59 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. No Ripcord
    Feb 16, 2016
    70
    Every track is a potential hit, and Sia’s use of pure pop hooks, coupled with an astounding control over her rampant voice, makes this a very good record.
    Read full review
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Feb 8, 2016
    50
    There are only so many times you can key into someone’s heart before they change the code, and after about 20 listens, the veneer crumbles a bit, and it’s a little too easy to see the gears turning underneath. But that’s not the most frustrating thing about the record; the most frustrating thing is that Sia has so much access to us and just doesn’t do much with it.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    Feb 4, 2016
    60
    One can't shake the feeling that This Is Acting was compromised from the start. [Mar 2016, p.114]
See all critic reviews »