News Albums Of 2007: #8 M.I.A. - Kala
is great. While the demise of Smash Hits reminded us of how fun pop stars used to be (Morrissey posing with cats instead of causing arguments, Bananarama still living in a council flat following Number One singles) and paved the way for Lily Allen’s mouthiness, any post-80s musicians look black and white in comparison to M.I.A.’s technicolor. She’s got it all.
‘Kala’ - named after the Hounslow-born star’s mother - is no less political than predecessor ‘Arular’, but combines perfect pop moments (‘Jimmy’) with tracks making use of guns as percussion (‘Paper Planes’), all the while featuring the production skills of not only on-off beau Diplo, but also hip-hop king Timbaland, Switch and Maya herself.
It’s the one album which has managed to include many styles, genres and influences without being pigeonholed as a ‘genre-bashing’ record (we hope). Hell, it has a song titled ‘Bird Flu’! Beat that.
Watch the video for ‘Bird Flu’:
Read More
Mad Cool Festival share huge updated line-up
Including Maximo Park, Belgian rockers dEUS, and a new headliner.
28th June 2023, 10:37am
M.I.A. says she’s quitting music for a while
She cites the censorship of the music industry, saying “I have to find another way”.
10th October 2018, 12:00am
M.I.A. brings ferocious headline set to Bestival 2018
The rapper closed the Castle Stage with her brand of furiously potent pop.
8th June 2018, 12:00am
A documentary about M.I.A. will premiere at Sundance
‘MATANGI/ MAYA/ M.I.A.’ has been directed by Stephen Loveridge.
30th November 2017, 12:00am
Popular right now
With Rachel Chinouriri, A.G. Cook, Yannis Philippakis, Wasia Project and more!