Premature Evaluation: M.I.A. - Kala
When Arular dropped after months and months of 2004's Piracy Funds Terrorism, Vol. 1, M.I.A.'s official 2005 debut felt somewhat anti-climactic. Don't get us wrong, we loved it. On top our own feelings, there was plenty of mainstream success, that ubiquitous "Galang" car commercial, and colorfully same-same profiles, but as a "debut" it at times felt more like an echo of Diplo's earlier mix. Well, Diplo (and others) are still assisting the Sri Lankan songstresses on Kala, but Ms. Arulpragasam feels more in control of her own sound and her own voice (less of that "whoooooo" vocal tick), creating a fresh, stylistic collage that travels the vast
world as ebulliently as Arular's prequel. We dig.
This is Maya's nighttime record. Minus the "Ba-na-na"-style skits and "Sunshowers," it often plays like the soundtrack to some after hours speakeasy: Catch the glassy strings on "Jimmy," a straight-out-of-Bollywood disco track. Anyone wanna go roller skating? Standout "Paper Planes" is a "Rump Shaker"-referencing John Hughes prom moment complete with ... a constantly reloading gun and cash register? Thank Diplo for that (and will you just look how cute!).
Throughout, M.I.A.'s incorporating Indian music and various hip-hop or pop cultural references in a smoother and less affixed manner. See, for instance, the super opening triad of "Bamboo Banger," "Bird Flu," and "Boyz." "Bamboo"'s makes the Modern Lovers do the Macarena with Duran Duran over, again, old-school Bollywood pop vocals (check 'em at 3:40 ... they peek out again at 4:15). Or the the dholak lines in first single "Boyz" and "Bird Flu" ... subtle. Subtler? "20 Dollar" isn't a stylistic sequel to "10 Dollar," but it does include a reworked "Blue Monday" sample and "Where Is My Mind" lyrics. Fair trade off, that.
It also feels like there are fewer cooks: The Wilcannia Mob (a/k/a The Lolipop Guild?) show up on "Mango Pickle Down River," UK MC Afrikan Boy offers some grime 'n' swagger ("You think it's tough now / come to Africa") to the money-hating "Hussel" (dig the bootlegging jokes) ... only Timbaland's requisite guest spot and outro rap on on the
easy-going "Come Around" feels a tad ... affixed. Great producer, but ...
All said, though, Kala's tighter, more wide-ranging palette hits like a concerted attack sans filler: Like M.I.A. rattles in "World Town," "Hands up ... guns out." No need to shoot, Maya, we go peacefully.
Kala is out 8/21 on XL.
Posted at 11:10 AM in Premature Evaluation
Tags: M.I.A.
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very interesting record.. im diggin it. paper planes samples the clash's "straight to hell".. a great great song in its own right. yea timbaland needs to keep his mouth shut. he ruins that song.
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You see that album cover? you see that?!
That's the #1 reason why I'm gonna buy it as a digital download. That thing would hurt to have in my possession.
:)
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M.I.A vs LCD for the number 1 spot of 07.
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Love the new album. Paper Plane's is definately the highlight, but the rest of the album is very good. I went into the album with low expectations because of Bird Flu. Solid follow-up.
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Am I the only person who loves the album cover?
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I'm still waiting on the GO! Team premature evaluation. The records been out almost a week now, and it's one of the best of the year.
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Am I the only person who can't stand M.I.A?
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Z: no.
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Z: But you're in shitty company.
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one of the best releases this year, period.
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Illuminating:
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/44529-mia-confronts-the-haters
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^Judging from the article, she sounds spunky. And I give her props for not kissing and P4K ass. I think I'll give her another shot.
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i love the album cover. it looks just like how she dresses.
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I love "Jimmy." All the breathy vocals are really sexy.
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I am in lust with "Jimmy" - god the lyrics just reach me on that one
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$20 is sweet; Paper Planes is siq- the entire album is absolutely sick. I'm just tired of hearing it at parties. I know it'll be a while until something new and this awesome comes around again. At least we've had our share of crankin dat soulja boi.
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