1000 Forms of Fear
by Sia
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Jul 8, 2014
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 547 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 503 out of 547
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 547
  3. Negative: 17 out of 547
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  1. WadeVS
    Jul 11, 2014
    7
    '1000 Forms of Fear' showcases Sia's savage vocals chops, deft talent to pen a chart hit and get's you angry fist pumping on the dancefloor. A sordid break-up never looked cooler than with slow motion sprinklers and pyrotechnics in the background. You can't doubt her pop appeal or power with this one, but every track, save a few, could just have easily been sung by someone else. If all'1000 Forms of Fear' showcases Sia's savage vocals chops, deft talent to pen a chart hit and get's you angry fist pumping on the dancefloor. A sordid break-up never looked cooler than with slow motion sprinklers and pyrotechnics in the background. You can't doubt her pop appeal or power with this one, but every track, save a few, could just have easily been sung by someone else. If all you're looking for is a collection of strong pop anthems, look no further.… Expand
  2. nswain1110
    Jul 8, 2014
    8
    After giving the album a few listens, I can say that it's is a cohesive, well written collection of pop songs. I'm sure Sia's fantastic voice add's something special that would've been missing had I heard these tracks on other pop singers albums, however, being that Sia wrote them all and kept them for herself for one reason or another definitely adds some magic to each song. Knowing theAfter giving the album a few listens, I can say that it's is a cohesive, well written collection of pop songs. I'm sure Sia's fantastic voice add's something special that would've been missing had I heard these tracks on other pop singers albums, however, being that Sia wrote them all and kept them for herself for one reason or another definitely adds some magic to each song. Knowing the entire project came from her mind and her pen is enough for me to take her more seriously than I would anyone else in the current pop scene...… Expand
  3. Musicfan09
    Jul 23, 2014
    10
    10/10. There is no way you can get a better album than this. With songs such as Chandelier, Burn The Pages, Big Girls Cry, Straight For The Knife, and Fire Meet Gasoline, there's no way I could resist this album. Sia made a masterpiece, and I'm glad she kept these amazing songs for herself.
  4. allovermywoohoo
    Aug 1, 2014
    10
    Alright, she broke everything! 1000 Forms of Fear open with the Top 10 hit Chandelier and close with one of the most deep ballads ever Dressed In Black! Just amazing.
    The album hits explosive chorus and contains letters that chills anyone! Yes, she did what she know better.
    The best ballads, Big Girls Cry, Chandelier, Straight For The Knife and Fire Meet Gasoline contrast with the only    Alright, she broke everything! 1000 Forms of Fear open with the Top 10 hit Chandelier and close with one of the most deep ballads ever Dressed In Black! Just amazing.
    The album hits explosive chorus and contains letters that chills anyone! Yes, she did what she know better.
    The best ballads, Big Girls Cry, Chandelier, Straight For The Knife and Fire Meet Gasoline contrast with the only funny music Hostage and make of the album one of the best albums of the year, and why not of the decade?    … Expand
  5. LegendaryMau
    Nov 5, 2014
    10
    Sia in her best! This album is flawless,it contains songs that are very inspiring,well written with accurate beats from the intense tracks of "Fire Meet Gasoline"(my favourite),Free The Animal,Hostage,Dressed In Black,Burn The Pages,Chandelier and Elastic Heart to the calm and delightful tacks of Big Girls Cry,Eye Of The Needle,Straight For The Knife,Fair Game and Cellophane. We love SiaSia in her best! This album is flawless,it contains songs that are very inspiring,well written with accurate beats from the intense tracks of "Fire Meet Gasoline"(my favourite),Free The Animal,Hostage,Dressed In Black,Burn The Pages,Chandelier and Elastic Heart to the calm and delightful tacks of Big Girls Cry,Eye Of The Needle,Straight For The Knife,Fair Game and Cellophane. We love Sia and her Blond Bob Wig.… Expand
  6. drobinson35
    Jul 30, 2014
    10
    So beautifully strange. Love this record. Sia has written for everybody who's anybody over the past few years.... but i'm so grateful she saved some of her best for herself. '1000 Forms of Fear' is 1000 forms of fantastic.
  7. killerlover24
    Oct 17, 2015
    10
    There's too much for saying about this magnificent album, but to be more direct, Sia has made a masterpiece with '1000 Forms of Fear'. Her vocals, her lyrics, her style and way to perform on stage it's just amazing and there's no doubt that she has talent in all the possible ways. This one of those perfect albums that you won't easy find anywhere.
  8. crunchycelery
    Jul 11, 2014
    9
    In the four years behind the scenes working as the golden songwriter doctor for every pop star and their mother, the girl with pipes made of iron has come out with her first record since 2010’s shiny and bouncy “We Are Born”. While this record is even more of a step towards pop, Sia never sacrifices her own unique idiosyncrasies and soul. Unlike the myriad of songs she’s penned for top 40In the four years behind the scenes working as the golden songwriter doctor for every pop star and their mother, the girl with pipes made of iron has come out with her first record since 2010’s shiny and bouncy “We Are Born”. While this record is even more of a step towards pop, Sia never sacrifices her own unique idiosyncrasies and soul. Unlike the myriad of songs she’s penned for top 40 artists, she keeps the most personal and meaningful material for herself, and the connectedness between the words and her delivery is far stronger than those adopting her material. Every run, belt, shake, crack, and breath in Sia’s distinctive voice is both beautifully powerful and emotive.
    While being pop music, thematically and lyrically “1000 Forms Of Fear” takes on a darker character than the work she’s done for other artists, mainly focusing on self-destruction, and self-destructive relationships. Common motifs of knives, fire, gasoline, and crying run rampant over anthemic soaring power ballads. Lead single “Chandelier” sings of partying and binge drinking for social fun, but with careful listening unravels a dark tale of anxiety and the “demoralization of alcohol”. Sia compares relationships to being set on fire or stabbed (Fire Meet Gasoline, Straight For The Knife), being held “Hostage”, and stretched to point of break (Elastic Heart). Even the upbeat tracks have a darkness behind them, like “Burn The Pages” where she borrows a lyric from her “Some People Have Real Problems”(2008) song “Lullaby” and sings of placing her “past in a book” to then “burn the pages, let ‘em cook”. Or “Free The Animal” in which Sia screams to be decapitatedand emancipated.
    “Fair Game” is an obvious standout, and my personal favourite track. Singing atop subtle swinging strings, eventually leading to an instrumental interlude of toy piano and xylophone, Sia contemplates a need for personal change in order to benefit future relationships. At the end the last two songs can drag on, even though I catch “Cellophane” stuck in my head constantly.
    Overall Sia has made one of her most consistent, and accessibly pop ready albums yet, all the while without compromising what makes her unique and inimitable. This one is for the big time.    … Expand
  9. Cycled
    Nov 11, 2014
    7
    Bought this because of her singing on "Titanium". This CD is above average pop music and lyrics. She has a voice that seems to not be over produced.
  10. CharlieGray
    Sep 11, 2015
    10
    This is good, finally Sia recieves some recognized thanks to 'Chandelier' and 'Elastic Heart'.
    Amazing, dark and happy at the same time.
    .............
  11. Juan12353
    Jul 12, 2016
    9
    1. Chandelier 10/10
    2. Big Girls Cry 10/10
    3. Burn The Pages 9/10
    4. Eye Of The Needle 9.2/10
    5. Hostage 8.7/10
    6. Straight For The Knife 8.8/10
    7. Fair Game 9.1/10
    8. Elastic Heart 10/10
    9. Free The Animal 10/10
    10. Fire Meet Gasoline 10/10
    11. Cellophane 10/10
    12. Dressed In Black 9.6/10
  12. El_Mastero
    Jul 11, 2014
    7
    OK - Calm the f__k down people. "Album of the Century". Come on!?!
    She can sing yes. She writes her own stuff. Brilliant. You can dance to this stuff AND it's emotional. Great. What it is a great pop album. Nothing more nothing less.
  13. thaleslucas
    Jul 10, 2014
    10
    '1000 Forms of Fear' is a creative album! Sia did great songs that made me feel in other world. So many dramatic and fantastic words.... This is one of the greatest albums of the century!
  14. Wael
    Jul 19, 2014
    7
    It pains me to say that, while this album is good, Sia writes better songs for artists such as Rihanna, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, and Lea Michele, than her own. Obviously, the album is cohesive, organized, and much more mature than anything she's ever released. Songs like "Chandelier", "Big Girls Cry", "Eye of the Needle", and "Free The Animal" are great songs sure to become hits with the rightIt pains me to say that, while this album is good, Sia writes better songs for artists such as Rihanna, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, and Lea Michele, than her own. Obviously, the album is cohesive, organized, and much more mature than anything she's ever released. Songs like "Chandelier", "Big Girls Cry", "Eye of the Needle", and "Free The Animal" are great songs sure to become hits with the right promotion, but it's songs like "Fair Game" and "Hostage" that sound exhausted and rushed. In conclusion, there is no BAAAAD song on the album, but they're not ALL the best that Sia can do.… Expand
  15. Luccas_Augusto
    Sep 19, 2015
    10
    ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh que album perfeito!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  16. happily123
    Jul 8, 2014
    10
    I have no words to describe how spectacular this album is... The compositions, the melody, the sound... It's an amazing job, Sia is by far one of the biggest artists today
  17. valgreen
    Jul 8, 2014
    10
    This album... oh, god, this album. I can't describe what it is on simple words. You have to listen to understand. This album is emotional, mature, and bring such great lyrics, vocals, melodies. It's complete. For me, there's no way to unlike this album, because it brings such good things since the first to the last track. You're not going to find something bad in the album. I really thinkThis album... oh, god, this album. I can't describe what it is on simple words. You have to listen to understand. This album is emotional, mature, and bring such great lyrics, vocals, melodies. It's complete. For me, there's no way to unlike this album, because it brings such good things since the first to the last track. You're not going to find something bad in the album. I really think Sia has a bright future if she keeps this beautiful talent. I'm not going to be surprised if this album win an Album of The Year on the Grammys...… Expand
  18. RedOwlReviews
    Jul 8, 2014
    8
    It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Sia. Four years, to be exact. Sure, she’s guest sung on David Guetta tracks and has been writing for Rihanna and Beyoncé. But the last time she made music for herself was for 2010′s We Are Born. Since then, her approach towards her sound and her image has changed – and it’s really fascinating. She dons a blonde wig (as pictured in the album cover)It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Sia. Four years, to be exact. Sure, she’s guest sung on David Guetta tracks and has been writing for Rihanna and Beyoncé. But the last time she made music for herself was for 2010′s We Are Born. Since then, her approach towards her sound and her image has changed – and it’s really fascinating. She dons a blonde wig (as pictured in the album cover) and sings with her back turned in all her performances. Others will take the front stage with interpretative dance as she sings – Maddie Ziegler did it perfectly, Lena Dunham did it laughably badly. She’s hiding her face in a metaphorical paper bag as her music incites bodily expression in her guest performers, and in a counterintuitive way, Ms. Blonde Bob is becoming more of a star than she doesn’t want to be. And it’s all because of her new music. 1000 Forms of Fear does perfectly what contemporary pop music is supposed to do – make you dance, shake, and break free from your daily inertia as if no one can judge you. Beginning with her hit single Chandelier, the album manages to be both more fun and more mature than We Are Born. It reduces to shambles any guilt you may have felt for turning your pop playlist up to max volume and shimmying incoherently around your bedroom, because that’s what Sia wants you to do.

    We Are Born proved to us that Sia knows the secret to her infectious pop: juxtaposing her powerful voice with buoyant, hip-hop tinged dance-pop beats. However, on 1000 Forms of Fear, Sia ups the level of passion in her vocals and refines her beats to create a more distinctive sound. Xylophones race and snares pop in the background as her voice crackles and strains as if she’s about to burst. It’s hot, it’s fun, it’s everything you would normally feel guilty about for listening to but can’t because it’s executed with such a mature panache. What Sia’s album lacks in diversity or rhythmic flux it makes up for in consistency and energy. Every track on the album is an exciting experience on its own. One of the album’s flaws is the sonic fatigue that it induces near the end of an entire listen. However, that has almost grown to become one of the trademark features of contemporary, radio-friendly pop. As a whole, 1000 Forms of Fear is a well-deserved success for the artist as well as the listener. If you walk into your young relative’s room and see her methodically flailing her limbs and hopping about with sporadic grace to this album – just as how Sia’s voice waxes and wanes in quality with spontaneity – you know the artist has achieved her goal.

    FINAL SCORE: 4 out of 5 stars (raw score: 82.5, between “great” and “almost perfect”)    … Expand
  19. mah658
    Jul 8, 2014
    10
    Should be on of the top albums of the year. Sia has always been incredible, but is starting to see the national stage. Her collaborations and writings the past few years have been a tease for such a powerful album.
  20. OpinionatedGuy
    Jul 13, 2014
    7
    Four years since she released We Are Born, Sia had a lot things happening to her. Her fame is expanded outside Australia but she had personal problems as a result and almost led her to suicide. But instead, she does what she does best, writing songs. She lend her songwriting talent with other singers such as Katy Perry, Rihanna, Britney Spears etc. Of course, this led her to be moreFour years since she released We Are Born, Sia had a lot things happening to her. Her fame is expanded outside Australia but she had personal problems as a result and almost led her to suicide. But instead, she does what she does best, writing songs. She lend her songwriting talent with other singers such as Katy Perry, Rihanna, Britney Spears etc. Of course, this led her to be more successful and she is ready to release another album.

    The literal theme of 1000 Forms of Fear is about the fears she has, including singing in front a live audience, which is something she used to love. What makes it interesting is that while it is personal to her, she has some happy songs in the middle of the album. She is not taking herself too seriously, but she points out what she wants to deliver in this album.

    The vocals of Sia is brilliant, remained very strong after what she has gone through.

    The lyrics matured from her previous album and even in the happiest of songs, the lyrics still remained personal to Sia.

    The track list makes the album know how to start an album, and how to end an album.

    The production, especially from Greg Kurstin is brilliant. He knows how to make music, whether it's a happy song or it's a personal song.

    In my honest opinion, I love We Are Born more because quirky Sia is my favorite Sia. But for Sia's loyal fans, they're going to love this album, especially they have been craving more new music since her expanded fame.    … Expand
  21. AuralFixation
    Jul 10, 2014
    9
    Overall, I feel that 1000 Forms of Fear is a very decent album. The production is great, but also tends to draw a little dull when listening to the album in full. The songs on this album thrive on a powerful, moving chorus, making them all radio friendly - the type of music that most Americans tend to be drawn to nowadays. I do truly appreciate that the production on 1000 Forms of Fear isOverall, I feel that 1000 Forms of Fear is a very decent album. The production is great, but also tends to draw a little dull when listening to the album in full. The songs on this album thrive on a powerful, moving chorus, making them all radio friendly - the type of music that most Americans tend to be drawn to nowadays. I do truly appreciate that the production on 1000 Forms of Fear is focused on Sia's powerful vocals. Nothing has been unnecessarily added to overpower or outshine the vocal talent here. However, I wish that Sia would have taken that voice to go further outside her comfort zone; I think she's underestimating the power of her own voice.

    Sia really hit it big in her native country Down Under, but in terms of radio airplay in the United States, only Sia's featured songs really took off until "Chandelier." Even with the relatively vapid productions on 1000 Forms of Fear, Sia's voice and lyrics shine through to create a pretty solid album. Although she doesn't want to be a worldwide superstar, she just created a record so enticing to the masses that she may have accidentally injected her name into the jugular vein of pop culture.

    You can read my full review of this album at: http://auralfixationreviews.blogspot.com/2014/07/1000-forms-of-fear-sia.html    … Expand
  22. MovieMuscle
    Mar 15, 2015
    10
    Quite rarely has Pop music hit the emotional chords so powerfully as Sia's latest album did. Everything she and her music represents is a revelation to the gradually-staling pop industry, half of which should thank her for dedicated, inspired songwriting through the past two decades. I also can't stop listening to her live performances on Howard Stern (Diamonds and Chandelier)--brings meQuite rarely has Pop music hit the emotional chords so powerfully as Sia's latest album did. Everything she and her music represents is a revelation to the gradually-staling pop industry, half of which should thank her for dedicated, inspired songwriting through the past two decades. I also can't stop listening to her live performances on Howard Stern (Diamonds and Chandelier)--brings me to tears every time.… Expand
  23. ThingThatReview
    Jul 10, 2014
    10
    This is too much for me. This is the most amazing thing my ears have had the pleasure of hearing. From Chandelier to Hostage, this album is perfection. Every song on the album is catchy and meaningful. This is the type of music that takes me to another place and it is too good. Sia writes songs for many talented singers, and I'm so glad that she has kept the best 12 songs she's written inThis is too much for me. This is the most amazing thing my ears have had the pleasure of hearing. From Chandelier to Hostage, this album is perfection. Every song on the album is catchy and meaningful. This is the type of music that takes me to another place and it is too good. Sia writes songs for many talented singers, and I'm so glad that she has kept the best 12 songs she's written in the past few years for 1000 Forms of Fear.… Expand
  24. Barby
    May 29, 2015
    7
    Chandelier is a good song to leave in background while doing my stuff, soft with rhythm and sense, the video could be much better, a child dancing the whole song is not just what I think when hear it, could be a hundred times better but the song is just what I want and is really good.
  25. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    7
    7.5
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  26. adhamhany
    Jul 31, 2014
    8
    An excellent pop album. Her vocal performances are great, as is her voice. She's also a very talented songwriter, because i really enjoyed the lyrics here. The music is also quite impressive, and the production as well.

    I won't give it a 10, though. It's not THAT extraordinary.
  27. owenrw89
    Dec 18, 2016
    7
    Mixing her intriguing lyrics, Kurstin's non-typical production and her insanely powerful voice was never going to create a bad album. OK, so there are clearly some filler tracks here, but with a voice like Sia's, even the fillers are interesting.
    Overnight, 1000 Forms of Fear seemed to take Sia from an underground Australian vocalist, to a Global Icon, and rightfully bloody so.
  28. MES
    Dec 14, 2014
    10
    This album is my first introduction to Sia Furler and I was truly impressed. The album is excellent -- easily in my top 5 of 2014. But Chandelier is the crown jewel; a song of great complexity and emotion matched with an outstanding vocal performance. I don't see how it doesn't win song of the year. While the other songs don't match the power or sophistication of Chandelier, they areThis album is my first introduction to Sia Furler and I was truly impressed. The album is excellent -- easily in my top 5 of 2014. But Chandelier is the crown jewel; a song of great complexity and emotion matched with an outstanding vocal performance. I don't see how it doesn't win song of the year. While the other songs don't match the power or sophistication of Chandelier, they are all interesting and well constructed songs. This one is definitely worth your time.… Expand
  29. ImAwesome
    Jul 19, 2014
    10
    10/10 clearly. What more do you want from an advanced, artistic, pop-album? No song is less than good, and the best ones are masterpieces of combining grit and gloss.

    I'm so happy, I have new pop-goddess in my pantheon. (Robyn is another.)
  30. arvintaylor138
    Jul 13, 2014
    7
    A creative and strong album, Thoroughly enjoyed the song introduces at the start of the album, however it did slightly go downhill towards the end of the album however this album is a must-hear.
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Awards & Rankings

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#11 Most Discussed Album of 2014
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#21 Most Shared Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Clash Music
    Jul 24, 2014
    70
    Fortunately, these successes do not overwhelm 1000 Forms Of Fear, with tracks such as ‘Big Girls Cry’ and ‘Fire Meet Gasoline’ more than matching the output of her past clients in terms of captivating, powerful pop.
    Read full review
  2. Fact Magazine (UK)
    Jul 16, 2014
    90
    Whether or not stadium pop is to everyone’s taste, this is it in its smartest and most human form.
    Read full review
  3. No Ripcord
    Jul 15, 2014
    70
    True, most of the themes on 1000 Forms of Fear are pretty generic, but Sia’s lyrics are bold and visceral, and the production is dynamic without being gimmicky.
    Read full review
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