MM Exploration

Sia’s This is Acting (2016) stands out as an eclectic album, showcasing her signature powerful vocals and deeply emotional songwriting. The album’s title, This is Acting, hints at the concept behind it—many of the songs were originally written for other artists but were ultimately rejected. Therefore, Sia is “acting” as these other artists, taking on their personas and singing the songs as though they were her own.

Music and Style

Musically, This is Acting traverses multiple genres, mostly focusing on electropop with dramatic, anthemic elements. The production is grand, with lush instrumentation, heavy beats, and soaring melodies. Songs like “Alive” and “Bird Set Free” feature dramatic crescendos, layered vocals, and sweeping arrangements that evoke a feeling of empowerment. Her voice—gritty, raspy, and full of raw emotion—dominates every track, turning each song into a performance of its own.

The album balances powerful ballads with upbeat, danceable tracks like “Cheap Thrills” and “Move Your Body,” which lean heavily into electronic influences and thumping, club-friendly beats. These songs offer moments of pure joy and release, making you want to move and sing along.

The Joy and Uplift

The joy in This is Acting lies in the themes of resilience, survival, and freedom. Tracks like “Cheap Thrills” capture a carefree, euphoric spirit. It’s an anthem for letting go, celebrating life, and dancing through hardship. The upbeat tempo and playful lyrics make it one of the album’s most accessible and fun songs. Similarly, “Unstoppable” radiates self-assurance and strength, with its powerful lyrics about inner resilience and invincibility. These tracks give the listener a sense of empowerment, a reminder to find joy in perseverance.

In “Bird Set Free,” the liberation of letting go and embracing authenticity is palpable. It’s about finding your voice and the joy of release, which translates into a cathartic experience for the listener.

The Pain and Struggle

However, This is Acting doesn’t shy away from emotional depths. Songs like “Alive” and “Footprints” showcase the struggle of survival and the pain of past wounds. “Alive” is especially heart-wrenching, narrating a story of a person who has been through immense hardships but is still standing. The song’s raw power captures both triumph and vulnerability. The refrain “I’m still breathing, I’m alive” resonates with the defiance of someone who has endured but not without cost.

There’s also a bittersweet tone in tracks like “Space Between,” where loneliness and longing bleed through the music. The feeling of drifting apart from someone, even as you try to hold on, is emotionally complex and haunting.

The contrast between songs of joy and sorrow makes the album feel like a dynamic emotional journey. Sia manages to weave together themes of suffering and perseverance, making the listener reflect on their own experiences with pain and triumph.

Overall Feeling

This is Acting is an album full of dramatic highs and lows, mixing joy and sorrow in ways that feel both authentic and cinematic. Sia’s ability to communicate profound emotion through both the music and her voice ensures that each song hits with intensity, whether it’s a dance anthem or a heartfelt ballad. It’s an album that resonates with people who have experienced both joy and pain, offering solace in the idea that even in hardship, there is the potential for growth and empowerment.

In essence, it feels like a journey through the human condition, wrapped in electrifying production and delivered with an emotionally charged performance. The joy comes from the triumphant anthems of self-empowerment, while the pain stems from raw, deeply personal themes of struggle, loss, and the fight to keep moving forward.

My number one favorite song in this album would definitely be Unstoppable.

Sia’s “Unstoppable,” from This is Acting, is often regarded as one of her most inspirational tracks due to its powerful message of self-empowerment and resilience. The song is a bold anthem about inner strength, perseverance, and unshakeable confidence, all delivered through Sia’s unmistakable vocal intensity and soaring production.

Lyrical Themes

At its core, “Unstoppable” is about adopting an indomitable spirit in the face of adversity. The lyrics describe a person who puts on a brave front, using metaphors like “I’m a Porsche with no brakes” and “I’m a fighter” to illustrate their unstoppable momentum. The repeated lines, “I’m unstoppable, I’m a Porsche with no brakes / I’m invincible, yeah, I win every single game,” affirm that no matter what comes their way, the person will keep going, will keep winning, and will not allow themselves to be defeated.

Though the song conveys a sense of invincibility, it also subtly suggests that this strength might be a façade. The lines, “I put my armor on, show you how strong I am,” point to the idea that this ‘armor’ is a protective shell—a way to cope with vulnerabilities and challenges. Yet, despite that, the message remains clear: it’s about pushing through difficulties and projecting confidence even when it’s hard.

The Inspirational Aspect

“Unstoppable” is inspirational because it taps into a universal human experience—the need to push forward despite doubts or hardships. Whether facing personal struggles, societal pressures, or emotional challenges, the song’s empowering lyrics act as a rallying cry to remind people of their own resilience. The repetition of phrases like “I’m unstoppable” reinforces the idea that we all have an inner power that can be harnessed when needed.

For many listeners, the song feels like an affirmation of their own strength. It provides a motivational soundtrack for overcoming obstacles and is often used to boost confidence before big events, whether it be a presentation, a workout, or any situation that demands courage.

The Emotional Power of the Music

The song’s production complements its message, with booming drums, cinematic swells, and Sia’s powerful voice soaring over the instrumental. The music builds as the song progresses, reflecting the rising strength and determination described in the lyrics. The anthem-like quality of the chorus makes the listener feel invincible, like they can take on any challenge in their own life.

Sia’s vocal delivery is another key aspect of its inspirational nature. Her voice, which conveys both vulnerability and strength, resonates deeply with listeners, making the song feel authentic and relatable. It’s not just a call to action but a deeply felt experience, as if Sia herself has lived through the struggle and is now encouraging others to rise above it.

“Unstoppable” is an anthem of resilience, a motivational song that taps into the power of self-belief and determination. It inspires listeners by reminding them that even in the face of doubt or difficulty, they can summon an unbreakable spirit. The track’s powerful combination of commanding lyrics, emotionally charged vocals, and uplifting production makes it a song that listeners turn to when they need to feel strong, brave, and, above all, unstoppable.

What is your favorite song? How did it resonate within you?

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