Sia collaborated with Adele this past year writing songs for the R&B singer's highly anticipated third album 25, but one song didn't make the cut. Sia is moving ahead anyway by taking on the new single "Alive" and adding it to her own forthcoming album titled This is Acting.
"Alive" was originally written for Adele and about her life, but according to RTV Slovenija (translated through Google Translator) Adele cut the song at the "last minute." Adele has a number of other collaborators and songwriters working with her on 25 album, including Tobias Jesso Jr., Max Martin, Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) and One Republic's Ryan Tedder, who co-wrote Adele's "Rumor Has It."
Sia doesn't seem all that upset about the rejection though; in fact, it actually fits right into her plans. This Is Acting is a collection of songs she wrote for other artists and just didn't make it onto their albums for various reasons, according to an interview with her in NME. Sia has written songs for nearly all of today's top pop stars including Beyonce, Britney Spears, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Rita Ora, Christina Aguilera and Rihanna.
It should make This Is Acting a highly impersonal album as the "Chandelier" artist writes from the perspective of several different artists, taking in their experiences and crafting a story around it. This approach also aligns with her visual persona, which often covers her face in ever more elaborate ways.
Her latest veil is a bright polka-dot cloth drooping down from a large mini-mouse-like red bow. It was thought she used these decorative head dressings to help her overcome stage fright, but in an op-ed to Billboard, she explained it's more of a statement about not being scrutinized for your looks in the media. Whatever the reason, it's a signature look for the pop star and the new album only further distances her personal self from the public artist we all see.
Sia is also working on a new film project titled Sister starring Maddie Ziegler. There's no release date for This Is Acting, but it's expected to drop before the end of the year. The single "Alive" is set for a September 26 release date.
Listen to one of Sia's leaked tracks "Light Headed" below via Soundcloud. No word on whether this song will be on the new album or not.
