Healing Is Difficult

Released in 2001, Healing Is Difficult is Sia's second studio album and her major-label debut following her work with Zero 7. Recorded in the wake of her boyfriend's tragic death in a car accident, the album is a deeply personal exploration of grief, substance use, and emotional recovery. Sonically, it serves as a bridge between the acid jazz of her debut 'OnlySee' and the indie-pop sensibilities of her later work. The album is notable for its heavy use of samples - most famously Sergei Prokofiev's 'Romeo and Juliet' on the lead single 'Taken for Granted' - and its integration of contemporary UK sounds like two-step garage and downtempo. Despite critical acclaim for Sia's vocal prowess and songwriting honesty, the album suffered from a lack of promotion and failed to chart significantly at the time. It has since been re-evaluated as a cult classic and a vital precursor to her global superstardom, showcasing a raw, jazz-influenced vocal style that she would later refine into her signature pop sound.