Colour the Small One

Released in 2004, Colour the Small One is Sia's third studio album and represents a pivotal shift toward the 'chilled' downtempo sound that first brought her international attention. Recorded at Heliocentric Studios with producer Jimmy Hogarth, the album was deeply influenced by the acoustic-leaning artists Sia encountered while touring with Zero 7, specifically Kings of Convenience. The record is notable for its collaborative spirit, featuring songwriting contributions from Beck on 'The Bully' and bass work from long-time collaborator Samuel Dixon. While it was initially a modest success in the UK and Australia, the album gained legendary status in the US two years later when 'Breathe Me' was selected as the musical accompaniment for the final scene of HBO's Six Feet Under. This placement transformed the track into a definitive anthem of 2000s indie-pop melancholy. Sonically, the album eschews the jazz-funk of her debut for a mix of chamber pop and folk-tinged electronica, characterized by its intimate production and Sia's restrained, emotive vocal performance.