HAVING arrived on the scene with Zero 7, Aussie singer-songwriter Sia musters her skills for a third solo album. But, overseen by producer Jimmy Hogarth who has previously shepherded Amy Winehouse, James Morrison and Corinne Bailey Rae, things don't look good.

Listening to the record though, there's plenty to be encouraged by. Beck helps out on the floaty, quirky, conundrum that is Academia; Sia's creamy voice retools Ray Davies' I Go to Sleep; and The Girl You Lost to Cocaine is co-written by Turin Brakes.

On the other hand, Lentil is so indie coffee bar cliché it'll make you gag.

Many will dismiss Sia as a self-harming Sade, but give her a chance and beneath that misery veil there's a flash of hope.