M.I.A. – Maya, Album Review
13 Jul
Giveaway: /\/\ /\ Y /\ on vinyl + 2 HARDNYC Tickets →
STREET DATE: 07.13.10 | EMUSIC | INSOUND | AMAZON | ITUNES
M.I.A.’s third album, Maya, is blanketed with a thick layer of noise that is nearly impenetrable, a harsh buzz that is as schizophrenic as it is grating. I’m not talking about the album – although many of the same adjectives would apply to M.I.A.’s recent musical output – I’m talking about everything else.
Let’s run through the talking points needed for any review of Maya. Lynn Hirschberg wrote a long and mostly boring profile in New York Times Magazine that made both M.I.A. and Hirschberg seem self-important and confused. The most quoted passage of the entire story revolved around truffle fries. Maya’s lead single was accompanied by an obtusely provocative music video featuring gratuitous anti-ginger violence. Diplo, supposedly barred from the Exile on Main Street-esque recording house in Los Angeles by M.I.A’s fiancé Ben Bronfman, called the album a turd. M.I.A. streamed Maya a month before its release in perhaps the most frustrating way possible, splitting tracks into thirty-second chunks. There was drama, there was pettiness, and everyone involved generally came out on the other side looking a little less respectable.
I am disappointed. I am disappointed that M.I.A. has gone from one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World to a pretty standard spotlight-hungry pop star, seemingly on the verge of collapse. I am disappointed that so much of the conversation about Maya (including this review, thus far) has – perhaps by necessity – revolved around matters largely separate from M.I.A.’s music. Most of all, though, I am disappointed that I like this album. Like, I really like it.
Maya is edgy, and I mean that quite literally. It has sharp edges – the power tool opening of “Steppin’ Up,” the synthetic flashes and waves of “Teqkilla,” the Sleigh Bells guitar riff of “Meds and Feds” – that jut out at weird angles and poke at you in the ear. It’s not a comfortable album, but it’s not meant to be. It’s gritty and unpolished, more concerned with creating a cohesive aesthetic out of disparate styles than delivering a particularly profound message. It’s self-absorbed, lyrically simple, and weirdly danceable. In other words, it’s M.I.A.
Like Arular and Kala before it, Maya finds pop riffs in unlikely places and straps inconvenient topics to their backs. The message is heavy-handed and simplistic: We live in a digital age, and that is probably bad. The lyrics are pretty unremarkable and seem perilously tied to a transient time. “Head-bone connects to the neck-bone, neck-bone connects to the arm-bone, arm-bone connects to the hand-bone, hand-bone connects to the internet, connected to the Google, connected to the government” chants M.I.A.’s brother Sugu on introduction “The Message”. Later, M.I.A. invites us to chat while playing Wii, and points out that we’re tweeting her like Tweety Bird on our iPhones. It’s unclear just how she feels about all this connectivity, but the invasive YouTube imagery on the cover of the album insinuates a bit of frustration. It all seems a bit silly, to be honest, this criticism of our digital age – particularly when streaming an album (produced on computers, no doubt) via MySpace.
But M.I.A. has never really been about the lyrics, despite critical sentiment. Her role in bringing the Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger group into the spotlight came more via fallout regarding her Visa issue than the songs on Arular. Her most successful songs to date – “Galang,” “Paper Planes,” “Boyz” – have included as many references to weed as to war, and have relied on commercial placement to reach a wide audience. Like it or not, M.I.A. lives and dies on pop hooks.
Which makes Maya a pretty gutsy step. Maya makes you work for it, coating flashy songs with grungy guitars, spitting voices through megaphones. It’s a punk ethos, an intentional discord meant to shake things up. The album is a challenge, a push to see if we’re really as ready for the high-passion, low fidelity movement as we’ve indicated. It doesn’t always succeed (whatever that means) but it still has some absolute bangers. “Teqkilla” is an unabashedly spastic tune built for stereos where the bass rattles the floor, while “Space” mellows things out nicely without dragging. “Lovalot” and “It Takes A Muscle” reveal a gentler M.I.A. than the one we’ve come to know, even though she may be surrounded by bombshells and barricades.
Even when Maya isn’t dead on, it shows glimmers of a potentially awesome future. “Tell Me Why,” a fairly dull track, showcases M.I.A.’s voice amongst choral backing and is a textbook example of well-applied auto-tune. “Steppin’ Up” begins to incorporate Sleigh Bells-style production into a more vocal-centric environment. Even the album’s alienating lead single, “Born Free,” manages to find stomping grounds amongst the detritus without seeming too out of place.
It is that combination of brilliance and unsatisfying near-brilliance that gives me the feeling that Maya will get far more plays as time wears on. We’re going to look back at this album as establishing the foundation for some pretty fantastic music, whether on the part of M.I.A. or others. It’s a roller-coaster ride – like anything involving M.I.A. – and at times it doesn’t feel like a completely finished product. But maybe she’s got it right when she sings, on “XXXO,” “You want me be somebody that I’m really not.” Let’s stop applying our external judgments and just listen to this album for what it is – a self-indulgent, confused piece of art that just happens to be pretty damn good. Words by Chris Barth.
82 — [Rating Scale]
Giveaway
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FUCKING AMAZING
legit!
i like
Born freeeeeee baby!!!!
that was rubbish
It’s good.. I’m not sure if it’s as good as her previous albums yet. Some of the songs are way overproduced, and the lack of that on her first album is why it was so effing good. Maybe a few more listens and I’ll change my tune though, who knows.
AMAZING!!!!!!![shortened]
admin edit: don’t do that!
Not bad. When she said she wanted to sound like Sleigh Bells she really meant it. Have to give it a few more listens though but I’m pretty sure that all the new stuff will sound amazing live.
enjoyed the crap out it!
Honestly, it was a whole lot of noise and not much else. I expect bigger things from MIA’s next record.
It was great, I can’t imagine how much better it’ll be live.
Is this purely MIA or is it MIA ft. Sleigh Bells?
i’m with diplo on this one, it’s crap. but i would love to see her live.
SOOO AMAZING CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HER LIVE!!!
The feeling you get when you hear your fav song after pounds of sticky sticky icky weed..and shot of “teqkilla”. Enjoyment is the only feeling
The album is interesting as another step through her musical evolution. It’s really fun, and I enjoy it, but it feels very superficial. Definitely waaay over-produced. I miss her raw sounds.
It’s art and I respect the direction she’s going. “Now that I have your attention, let’s fuck you up.” I agree there are things that could have been handled better in the post-production/ mixing side, but /\/\ /\ Y /\ is refreshing and needed on the front of genre-collapsing intense music
SICKKKKKZONEEEEE!!!!
Great album…but not a 100 A+ attempt by MIA. I was hoping she would go in a different direction with this one, but that’s not to say I don’t enjoy this thoroughly. LOVE the track w/ Sleigh Bells’ guitarist on it…89/100.
It hasn’t hit me like Kala did when I first listened to it. I love many of the songs, but others will have to grow on me!
Hmm. I really like the beats on on the album, not so much the vocals. To me a lot of the songs became monotonous while listening to it. In a lot of her songs she seems to chant the same lines over and over to the point where the music just wasn’t that interesting anymore. (read boring)
In particular, the original version of “XXXO” that leaked was much better than the polished one (for someone who hates Gaga she sure does pull it off quite well), but hey you got to make the money. I don’t know what she was trying to achieve with this album, it is not very cohesive, but none-the-less the masses will buy it
It’s (another) breath of fresh air. She’s definitely an innovative chick.
xoxo is my jam and i like born free (proably because of the video) and im diggin Tell Me Why but the rest is just whatever to me.
A change from her old stuff. im loving it.
I’m not a fan of Born Free or XXXO, so it’s hard to not dismiss the rest of the album. But since she’s always been a favorite of mine, I’m going to keep listening a few more times before it goes back on the shelf.
It’s different then her old stuff, but I dig it. I love the Sleigh Bells, and I love that kinda she has a similar sound. It may not be as great as Kala, but I appreciate her for trying something new. And I know she would be amazing live!
I cant’ explain how much I love cranking my 5.1 surround sound to “Meds & Feds”. It just catches my inner rager…
The rest of the album is certainly different than her previous two. My favorites would have to [easily] be:
1) Meds & Feds
2) Space
3) Born Free
4) XXXO
5) TeqKilla
Probably in that order ^
Meds & Feds is a banger! My list is close to yours, except put Steppin Up in place of space, and Story to be Told in place of Born Free. But yeah, Meds & Feds is easily my favorite thing on the album…
I really like the new album. I’m glad that she tried something new on this album compared to Arular and Kala. Upon first listen, I didn’t know what to expect from the upcoming tracks, because they all sounded so different!
I got a little overexcited as soon as I heard the abrasive saw samples in the beginning of Stepping Up and this feeling was only helped by the sonic overdose of Teqkilla and Meds and Feds. M.I.A., content with playing it safe on Kala, has begun pushing boundaries once again, just as she did with Arular. I also see this album as a fuck you to all of the kids who heard Paper Planes on top 40 radio and decided to go out and buy her album. In case we forgot, she’s an artist, not a money-machine. XXXO sums it up perfectly with one of the most accessible beats on the album and a chorus stating “you want me be somebody that I’m really not.” She may have gotten her pop kicks, but this is M.I.A. back in experimental form.
I’m diggin it. Some of the songs are a little more poppy than usual. Whats kool about her shit is that it never ceases to rape your ears with someting different. Thats what I love about this Sri Lankan sex goddess.
I wasn’t expecting to like it much; I thought Born Free’s video covered up the song so much that there was something to hide. It’s definitely a new direction for her, but a good one. I really dig the early punk influences that show up throughout, and how she manages to keep it dancefloor friendly while being more experimental.
I like it overall, but prefer her older stuff. these songs seem almost OVER processed. I’ll definitely listen to it plenty, just a tad bit disappointed.
Still love it though!
I like the new sound. I may not play it over and over, but it’ll definitely make a great live show!
I was at first hesitant about this album after being disappointed with Born Free and XXXO. However, the rest of the album improves after these lackluster tracks. For me, standouts include Space, Tell Me Why, and It Takes a Muscle.
the intricacies of this album are woven together with more skill than her last two (which I loved!) This shit is amazing
Woah. This gave me headaches. I kind of understand where she’s trying to go with this but the disorder is frustrating my brainwaves and confusing my ears. It’s pretty eclectic and some is cool(always MIA) but I’m a bigger fan of her other music not so much this noise.
s’allright.
Not what you would expect at all considering her first two albums. But I loved it, especially the Rusko collaborations. It may take a few listens to really get into, but that just means that it was more raw and less poppy than her previous work. Gotta respect the creativity
The album is how I prefer my M.I.A. to be: loud, noisy and running to the beat of her own drum and drill sounds
/\/\/\Y/\ has the potential of going down as the most poignant, artistic album of 2010. It’s definitely not as hit-worthy as her previous albums have been, and that’s exactly the way she intended. Whatever view one may have of her beliefs and behavior recently, there is no doubting that she is one of the small handful of artists with a true opinion and capacity to communicate. The messages on this album are glaring and true to character, even more than her other albums. It probably will not be received well by the mainstream public, which is a shame, but it nonetheless will have a staying value of many music critics, diehards, and subcultures for a long time.
I have been listening to MIA sing her galang debut! Being an avid follower I can say this is probably her best work yet~~~I love how she added dub-step and other styles to her addictive and meaningful songs. This album has such a high quality and such depth to it, I have taken a pride with it myself by showing everyone I know even though i secretly want to keep it all for myself. This album will be on replay for many years!!!thanks M.I.A.!(*’▽’)ノ☆
(ﾒ▼_▼)(ﾉ▼ｰ▼)ﾉ /\/\./\.Y./\.ヾ(▼皿▼)(▼へ▼ﾒ)
It blows. But I’d still take the free tix. I might not even sell them.
Not enough gun shot sound effects =/
Just started the stream, sounds good so far. Waited too long for new MIA
I THINK IT’S STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!
awesomeness
FUCKING AMAZING!
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! she’s amazing
ok im here to see wat will happen if i enter if this is supposed to be random ill post something random……… your so coool, you make me drool. =P
wat now??OOOO.oooo :O
i loveeeeeeee her
Maya’s a great fucking artist. And album. It has all the noise you could hope for as well as the M.I.A. equivalents of a ballad. It’s a certified banger that any fan of M.I.A. (as well as fans of noise) should thoroughly enjoy.
MIA iss the best shit ever! Go Sri Lanka bitches!
LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!
Oh My God!!!!!! I wish my name was Mia so I could have more in common with M.I.A. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This album is badass! You rock, girrrrlll!!!
OMG, this is SO GOOD! I love it~~
not as good as arular and kala…but maybe it will grow on me
It’s freakin` awesome!!!!!<3 I can't wait to you LIVE!
This album is AWESOME~~ I LOVE IT ~
nicenice :]
I love this ablum >.w<
Not bad album, needs more production from diplo. kala better
i freaking love this album, and MIA!
I LOVE IT!!!! soooooo amazing!!!!
Hey I <3 you!!!! I <3 your album!!!!
<3 <3 <3
This album is the best! i love her!
I love her. I don’t understand how anyone can not like this album. I really like it! She’s always so fun!
<3
WOOooOOO!!
Her album’s so COOOL
LoVe It<3 and its SUPER catchy
OMG NEED THIS!
Ahhhh I love this album
WHOA!!! I WANT HER ALBUM SO FREAKING MUCH! SHE’S ONE OF THE COOLEST SINGER EVER!
WOW nicee =]]
it’s soooooo nice!I really love this album!!
xD
The BESTT EVERRRRRRRRRRR
makes me listen over and over again
Wow, pretty interesting! Great work as usual from her
I LOVE MIA <3 her album is fantastic!
I LOVE THIS!
wowwwwww…. amazing…
I LOVE YOUR ALBUM!! <333
MIA is the BOMB! <33
bbooooommmmmbbbbbbb.
pretty sick
I like this over her other stuff. Sounds heavier and less pop driven.
I loved this album! It was great
This album is pretty good! I’m looking forward to it =D
I have been a die-hard fan of MIA ever since “Arular”. While, I thought “Kala” was a great follow-up, “Maya” seems to struggle a bit. MIA always hits hard, but her harsh beats and noises do not seem to mesh as well as on this album, compared to her first two efforts. While the album falls flat as a whole, there are definitely standout tracks. “Lovealot” bumps like a grimy party in a back alley. “XXXO” sounds much more pop-oriented than the MIA we’re used to, but she commands the beat with clever lyrics.
MIA IS THE BIZNESSSS BETTER THAN KESHA+GAGA.
YO THIS LP IS SO FLY LIKE PAPER! MIA’s ability to amaze me never ceases, for real.
Im really into this new record. she really suprised me on this one. after kala i really didnt know what to excpect. kala was so different form arular…more dancy. at first i really thought this album was just a bunch of noise, due to the fact that i heard a leaked version. but when the final release of songs came out i just really emersed myself into the album. and i love it. all the subliminal political rants are still there as in every album.the crazy mix of beats and industrial sounds is just a bonus.
it’s a great time for her to put out such a politically outspoken album. can’t stop listening!!
Im into it. This babe knows what’s good as far as making music that gets people stoked. You can blare /\/\/\Y/\in your car, all hyped, with all your favorite people or you can post up with some headphones and still fall in love with it. Plus, she’s backing DIE ANTWOORD and Sleigh Bells so you know she knows what’s good.
love it…so different then everything out right now.
I love the first half of the album and I’m waiting for the second half to grow on me. M.I.A. hasn’t let me down yet.
i love M.I.A’s new album and how she has progressed into the dubstep scene. I don’t know why I didn’t see that coming, but the thick bass lines in some of her new tracks aren’t bad at all. awesome for her style, and type of music. i can’t wait to see what she does next, and REALLY WANT TO SEE HER AT HARD.
Yes! I am excited. I love the music! =D
HOla….
this a album that will definitely grow on me.. she mention that the album is a “American album” instead of her previous 2 albums bc she was in the the whole time when recording.
I agree with brit chick in america feel. I think she is going through a “return of saturn” phenomenon when a woman is in her early 30′s.The life transition that brings restructuring and often lots of change.
hey if my kid is bouncing to it it has to be good..
paz…
l
Imagine what she could do with effort.
M.I.A.’s New album is better than I expected, a bit divergent from Kala. I miss the jungle sound but I dig the dancehall/grunge beats. M.I.A. is insane, Diplo made her, this album’s hot stuff though.
I love the new album! Its definitely different and maybe a bit overproduced but i still love it. You can’t expect an artist to keep producing the same album. Where is the growth? The experimenting? M.I.A. truly is unlike any other artist out there & i love her for that! favs: teqkilla, stepping up, it iz what it iz, and meds & feds (SLEIGH BELLS!)
I like MIA so much, she’s a true talent, she’s not affraid be different and create something crazy and risky. MAYA album is ffff fantastistic, I love it! so much crazy sounds, vibes, aggressive beats, I love MIA’s crazy ideas. My faves on album is Born Free, Storry To be Told, Steppin Up, Tequilla, It takes a muscle, Tell My Why, Lovalot
LOVE ‘teqkilla’, ‘space’ is still to die for and ‘it takes a muscle’, i didnt know maya had “cute” in her but she pulled it off marvelously. I love that she’s changing up the vocals more on this one as well, good to hear her sing every once in a while. after seeing sleigh bells in west palm, i would die five times over if i got to see sleigh bells and m.i.a. in the same venue. *prays to all that is rock and holy