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This Is Acting
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This Is Acting Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 522 Ratings

  • Summary: The seventh full-length release for the Australian singer features songs originally written for other artists such as Adele, Beyoncé, and Rihanna.
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  • Record Label: RCA
  • Genre(s): Pop, Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Left-Field Pop
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Top Track

Cheap Thrills
Come on, come on, turn the radio on It's Friday night, and it won't be long Gotta do my hair, put my make-up on It's Friday night, and it won't be... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. The A.V. Club
    Jan 29, 2016
    83
    A record that overwhelmingly delivers big beats and shout-along choruses straight to the brain’s pleasure center.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Jan 28, 2016
    80
    It’s a brave act on Furler’s part, to stand up and present a body of work that so many other people deemed not good enough, but ultimately, it’s a great collection of pop songs, cynical or not.
  3. AllMusic
    Jan 29, 2016
    70
    Given that Furler didn't originally plan to make these songs her own, it's impressive that This Is Acting works as well as it does--only the wannabe banger "Move Your Body" and "Sweet Design"'s flashy, hard-hitting R&B are truly unconvincing. For the most part, however, This Is Acting's meta-pop is another example of how cleverly Sia brings her her experiments into the mainstream.
  4. The Guardian
    Jan 28, 2016
    60
    In isolation, almost everything here would be a solid example of the songwriter-for-hire’s art: if nothing bowls you over with its originality, it’s hard not to be impressed by the pitilessness with which the songs sink their hooks into you. But taken collectively, you notice the big flaw in Furler’s approach.
  5. PopMatters
    Feb 1, 2016
    60
    This Is Acting, for all its backstory, rousing highlights, and questionable stylistic choices, actually feels like more of a placeholder than it was probably intended to be, continuing on the radio-ready success of 1000 Forms of Fear but doing very little to push her craft forward outside of exciting productions like “Move Your Body” and emotional breakthroughs like “Space Between”.
  6. Uncut
    Jan 29, 2016
    60
    Where her other albums are more varied, this all-guns-blazing pop portfolio is a touch wearying. [Mar 2016, p.80]
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  7. Clash Music
    Feb 2, 2016
    40
    It’s obviously understandable to attempt to capitalise upon the success of your best-known hit but on This Is Acting, Sia loses sight of what made her such an interesting artist in the first place.

See all 30 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 92
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 92
  3. Negative: 6 out of 92
  1. Furlericonic
    Dec 13, 2021
    10
    This is Sia's best album, going from emotional songs like space between and ending with move your body feels like a happily ever after
  2. 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 absoluteThis 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!… Expand
  4. 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 forReally 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.… Expand
  5. Rz23
    Oct 5, 2016
    9
    All though This is Acting is not Sia's strongest album she is able to express the album's concept loud and clear. The album is purely popAll though This is Acting is not Sia's strongest album she is able to express the album's concept loud and clear. The album is purely pop through and through and it is clear that the album highlight Sia as a songwriter. Some highlight tracks are Move your body, Bird Set Free, and Space Between.… Expand
  6. owenrw89
    Dec 18, 2016
    8
    Her voice is an all-commanding power. Not since the female vocalists of the 90's (Celine, Whitney, Mariah) have we heard such raw vocalHer voice is an all-commanding power. Not since the female vocalists of the 90's (Celine, Whitney, Mariah) have we heard such raw vocal intensities. With This Is Acting, Sia proves she can pretty much dominate any genre or style. OK, so 'Sweet Design' is a little on the odd side, but the rest are absolutely convincing.
    What's more, not only is the greatest vocalist around at the moment, she's one of the great pop-writers too.
    A brilliantly enjoyable pop record.    … Expand
  7. barretox
    Oct 23, 2016
    7
    É um bom trabalho mas não tem tantas músicas memoráveis como o último, porém algumas se destacam de uma forma boa. Sia é incrível nos vocais,É um bom trabalho mas não tem tantas músicas memoráveis como o último, porém algumas se destacam de uma forma boa. Sia é incrível nos vocais, composição e a sonoridade é boa.… Expand
  8. fajnydamian
    Jan 29, 2016
    0
    Sia wanted to repeat success of her last album and make 2000 Forms Of Fear. This album is really bad, how can she be so lazy to take all theSia wanted to repeat success of her last album and make 2000 Forms Of Fear. This album is really bad, how can she be so lazy to take all the BAD songs recorded for other artists and release it? I like old albums by Sia but this album is very annoying, boring and everything sounds the same, disappointment.… Expand

See all 92 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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