M.I.A’s Kala is her sophomore album, which includes a blend of genres such as world music, dance, and hip-hop. The album was released on August 8, 2007, around two years after her debut, Arular, which made her somewhat big in the underground music world. This album has twelve tracks, and up to twenty based on the edition that you happen to buy. This album is named after her mother, with M.I.A saying it “is about my mum and her struggle—how do you work, feed your children, nurture them and give them the power of information?” One factor that seems to be appreciated by fans of the album are the beats used in the songs. Some of the beats are influenced by Indian and Sri Lankan music, with her using samples from Bollywood and Tamil vocals. The album also includes the urumee, which is an instrument that is used in gaana music. Another factor that makes up her album is her discussion of politics, talking about subjects such as poverty, capitalism, immigration, and violence. With her talking about serious topics such as these while being honest about them, it lets listeners appreciate her honestly while also appreciating the riskiness of her talking about these topics as an artist signed to a record label. With her production and lyrics mainly being top-notch, it leaves little to be wanted from the musician. Most magazines that discuss music have given this album a ranking, and usually being a relatively high ranking on those lists. I agree with these statements, thinking that this is one of the best albums that I have ever listened to. I would recommend this album to anyone who likes South-Asian music or anyone who is open-minded when it comes to music and their music taste. I would rate this album a 5/5, or a 100/100.
One factor that seems to be appreciated by fans of the album are the beats used in the songs. Some of the beats are influenced by Indian and Sri Lankan music, with her using samples from Bollywood and Tamil vocals. The album also includes the urumee, which is an instrument that is used in gaana music. Another factor that makes up her album is her discussion of politics, talking about subjects such as poverty, capitalism, immigration, and violence. With her talking about serious topics such as these while being honest about them, it lets listeners appreciate her honestly while also appreciating the riskiness of her talking about these topics as an artist signed to a record label. With her production and lyrics mainly being top-notch, it leaves little to be wanted from the musician.
Most magazines that discuss music have given this album a ranking, and usually being a relatively high ranking on those lists. I agree with these statements, thinking that this is one of the best albums that I have ever listened to. I would recommend this album to anyone who likes South-Asian music or anyone who is open-minded when it comes to music and their music taste. I would rate this album a 5/5, or a 100/100.