 I've been really slow to get into the new M.I.A. album (Kala - out on XL) - It's been really hard finding the right angle from which to approach this latest foray in world music. Finally the other day I got around to hearing Paper Planes which, despite my initial reservations about the gun shots, is mindblowingly catchy. The thing about M.I.A. is that her political mission at times seems a strained mix with her more artzy side. On the one hand it might be that it at some level is lacking substance, I won't be the judge, but it sometimes comes of a bit too speculated. Many artists and bands have tried to ride this razor edge and many have failed. On the other hand being that M.I.A. is an artist I find it absolutely legitamete not to have a hammered out manifesto Manics-style.
Musically the new album is less Brazil more India. She has definetly moved away from the Baile-funk drum heavy Bucky sound and into a more, dare I say it, world music orientated sound.
The result is simply put that Kala probably has more staying potential (In the lack of a better word), but not quite as many bangers as her first album.
M.I.A. - Paper Planes
Get Kala here
If you sit back after listening to Paper Planes and think: Hmmm I know that melody in the background - Good for you! It's The Clash at the peak of their reggae punk powers. The use of the sample actually fits really well with the original Strummer banter. Like M.I.A. in general this song is a classical condemnation of the era mainly directed at the plethora of American influenced problems in the world (for a nice walkthrough go here).
Get it on The Clash On Broadway here
M.I.A. apparently got royally pissed at pitchfork ( here) after they gave Diplo the main production credits for her last album. According to the young world idealist it was a joined venture and on the new album the big Dipper is only a small fixture not to overshadow the work of especially Switch - To be fair Paper Planes is actually a Dip' masterpiece with extra Switch helpings. Here a nice remix of dubstep famed Skream:
Labels: M.I.A., Skream, Switch, The Clash |
