Winnipeg Free Press - M.I.A
M.I.A - MAYA (Interscope/XL)
On her third release, Sri Lankan-born British-raised MC/producer/designer/visual artist Maya Arulpragasam (M.I.A.) continues down the same fierce path of global resistance she established on her critically acclaimed albums, Arular (2005) and Kala (2007). Packed with stuttering drums, unrestrained bass, wailing sirens, blippy video game synths and plenty of impatient rhythms, M.I.A.’s latest is a cultural pastiche of sound she hopes will help tear down the walls of oppression, poverty, terrorism and the growing influence of information politics. On Lovealot, over top some minimal drums and digital noise, she proclaims “I won’t turn my cheek like I’m Ghandi / I fight the ones that fight me.” On Meds and Feds she cops some distorted guitars from Sleigh Bells’ track Treats and lays down some big beat drums for a punked-up attack. While there are no immediate cross-over hits like her mega smash Paper Planes, this is probably on purpose. The Diplo-produced Tell Me Why, the reggae influenced It Takes a Muscle and Rusko-helmed Space offer up a slightly softer, less paranoid side, to Arulpragasam. Expect a bit more challenging listen than her previous albums, but it’s worth the time and effort. 3.5 stars Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 17, 2010 C4
