Album: Sia

Some People Have Real Problems (Monkey Puzzle)

Sia Furler was compared to Dido on her previous albums Healing Is Difficult and Colour the Small One, but here Sia is more like Corinne Bailey Rae, with whom she shares producer Jimmy Hogarth: indeed, this album's hook track "Little Black Sandals" echoes both the message and style of "Put Your Records On".

She's still trafficking in touchy-feely sentiments for hard-done-by gals, but her outlook has improved considerably from the bereavement that coloured previous releases the natural consolations of success, perhaps, given Sia's growing profile in the US following her appearance on Zero 7's Grammy-nominated The Garden, and the video for her own "Buttons" becoming a YouTube favourite. The effect of her burgeoning fame is evident on the ponderous ballad "Death By Chocolate", which features a bizarre backing-vocal ensemble incorporating her new friends Beck, Pantera, and actor Giovanni Ribisi. But while she can still coin a distinctive line, her delivery can be ill-judged, notably when treating The Pretenders hit "I Go to Sleep" like an operatic aria.

Download this: 'Little Black Sandals', 'Soon We'll Be Found', 'Beautiful Calm Driving'