Australian vocalist Sia Furler, or Sia as her stage name goes, releases an EP alongside her new album release "Colour the Small One." Those who have not yet sampled her emotive and dark offerings, may well be familiar with her impressive voice, through none other than the latest Zero 7 album on which she contributed.
Sia's own EP consists of latest single, "Don't Bring Me Down" which features breathy vocals, mirroring the latest style brought to fame by Katie Melua and Norah Jones, complete with haunting strings, and dreamy vocals.
"Broken Biscuit" is a more jazzy offering, softly scathing, rather than angry screams, still effectively bitter and dark. The music is an acoustic style, with trademark strings, whilst Sia tells of standing out from the crowd, perhaps a look into the person behind the songs.
"Im a broken biscuit, in the cookie jar,
Im a total misfit, in the puzzle that's so far"
Third track "Lucky" surprisingly resembles Michelle Branch style vocals, and really shows the variety in her style, perhaps the softest vocals on here, and lyrically positive, if unexpectedly bold: "Im getting lucky tonight"
Lastly blunt title, "So Bored" is perhaps the darkest song on the EP, evident by the title, perhaps the most well crafted also. The vocals are as Sia does best, deep and more adult like, perhaps the most personal, think Carina Round without the angry screams. The acoustic guitar and Cello duet are haunting and attention grabbing, a track worth of more attention, making you wonder why it did not make it onto the album. The ending, a brush of strings and that's that, as neat as the song itself.
If personal insight, and angry and expressive vocals are your thing, complete with a mellow feel and impressive instruments, then Sia is for you, if not, a try won't harm, you may be converted.