Reaper – Sia (Co-Written and Co-Produced by Kanye West)

Sia has low key been showing up in the oddest of places for years, with brutal truth that tells her story and translates deep feels from her mouth to our ears. This familiar with her discography can account for the way this Aussie singer’s music makes you feel, literally. Maybe one of her best songs, “Breathe Me,” was featured in the best ending for one of the best television series to ever air, Six Feet Under. Butch Clancy remixed it into an even heavier track, adding weight to the heavy emotion attached to Sia. She has been put on many electronic tracks, one of the most well known being David Guetta’s “Titanium,” an anthem for any female feeling herself, needing to find herself, or just wanting to dance.

Sia’s seventh studio album, This is Acting, drops January 29th, and a full track list for the album has been released. Three songs are available for automatic download by preordering the album, like that really matters to the internet, or Sia for that matter. She released the audio of those three songs, plus another song called “Reaper,” which is of particular interest to us here at RTT, on her YouTube (via VEVO). Judging from these songs, this album is an inspirational tale of survival, as told through these empowering yet sorrowful tunes.

“Reaper” is like uplifting blues if that is even possible, ambient instrumentals and a not so sad, sad song. The lyrics are simultaneously dark and bright; there is something very special about it. Could be it was co-written and co-produced by Kanye West? Mr. West and Sia have previously linked up on a song not yet released with Vic Mensa, “Wolves.” (slated to be on Kanye’s next album) There is something very big about the two of these artists, the power in her voice and the weight of his words coming together in this unlikely pairing. Those are where all of the greatest stories come from, and in music, it is those collaborations that bring the most memorable, impactful songs. Ones that show the intention of music to bring people together and ultimately its ability to change the world.

There are many people out there in need of the message behind this song, the positivity coming from this brainchild of these two versatile artists with unlimited reach and forever potential. Sia’s music speaks to the darkest parts of everyone, and comforts and soothes those losing their battle for light. It spreads a very necessary and personal message to anyone who needs to hear that they are not alone in this fight.

This subject matter, even in song, has been hushed and hidden behind the very stigma that isolates most people into taking up this fight alone. Too many have lost this battle that could have been won. Thanks to artists like Sia and Kanye West, outcasts and weirdos so unafraid to proudly let their freak flags fly, strong voices will no longer be silenced or shunned.

It isn’t one thing or another that pinpoints the genius or power or passion of this song, but the juxtaposition of unlikely elements that gives this song all of these things. Mr. West is in the building, lending with surprising subtlety to this song that can only be described as uplifting blues. This song addresses the darkness, gives death his own stare, and says quite literally, “Not today,” to the Reaper himself.

Today, we can all of us together clap and smile and sway and sing along to this song. Sia and Yeezy bring love and light directly to your ear holes. We should all be listening together on repeat, finding strength enough within to send away the Reaper and his dark cloud.

Sia – Reaper
Photo Credit: Sia photo by Mary Ellen Matthews / Kanye photo by Erez Avissar

Reaper – Sia (Co-Written and Co-Produced by Kanye West)