Kala

This is a sonically dense and textured albums. So many new and interesting sounds, samples, references, and interpolations of other songs and styles just come out of nowhere but it's all united by M.I.A.'s creativity and politics. Also, THAT FUCKIN' GROOVE. This Aussie gives Kala five bags of Twisties out of five.

After literally 2 minutes my first (second, third, and...) thoughts are the same as some other oddly critically-praised albums on this list... I've always considered that so-called good music has to have one critical ingredient: *the music has to be good* - crazy concept. This first track is flat out unlistenable. Unimaginatively simple beat topped with a monotoned vocal throughout. Wait, did I say "first track?" - scratch that...apply to all tracks... It goes well beyond "I don't get this" for me - normally if I don't like something it's fine; there are more than a few I don't "get" or like but still can see how they might be influential but this... what I don't get here is why this is even on the 1001 list - it sounds like an undisciplined 8 year old from Birmingham got some primitive 808 machine and a microphone and was allowed to put this out. Not a particularly pleasing rapper - I'm not hearing anything interesting in the rhythm, it's toneless and bland, and altogether was a slog just trying to finish the album. Unlistenable. 1/10 1 star.

I can't get over that she used the Iron Maiden signature font for the "Fight On" text. I love it. For the actual album - it's a banger! The influence of Bollywood and South Asian and African culture on the album is clear both musically and lyrically, blending really well into the mainstream dance music. || I love that this album was able to be made extensively with Logic. Feels like an early success story proving you can make professional music with just a computer and good software (even though obviously they didn't JUST used Logic here. But extensively!) || Lyrically its awesome to have the themes addressing world poverty, immigration, and capitalism. Feels even more relevant today, MIA was ahead of the curve! Also obviously paper planes still whips ass. I think the music might be a 4 for me, but I want to throw full 5 at it because of all the radical outside factors that went into creation and themes!

Word on the street is that 1001albumsgenerator.com got hacked and shut down for 24 hours, so its sister company 1001annoyingalbumsgenerator.com stepped in for the day. Paper Planes wasn’t enough to save the album.

Wow. I'm tired just listening to this album. I did like "Jimmy", which was a respite in the frenetic-ness of the surrounding songs.

If I had to choose between listening to this full album again or getting waterboarded for 47 minutes and 38 seconds I'd choose the latter. Paper Planes was the only song saving this from 1 star.

Clever, innovative, effortless

Experimental while still being catchy and globally minded in its sound and message without feeling like a scold, Kala storms out the gate at 100 miles an hour with the radio on and doesn't let up until it gives an entirely out-of-place Timbaland a chance to embarrass himself in a single rhyme. This album turned my walk into a jog, and even when I was worn out, I felt the urge to nod my head. Killer record. Key tracks: Bamboo Banga, World Town, Paper Planes

M.I.A. is a legendary artist. She's able to do with music things that few others can. This album is 15 years old and still sounds fresh. The mix of styles is so unique and one of the reasons this is called the album of the third world. Tamil instruments, Bollywood vibes, funk carioca, Sub-Saharan Africa percussion and even some didgeridoo thrown in for good measure. Most of the songs are gread, well crafted and full of layers - and "Paper Planes" is probably the best song of its decade.

"Kala" is the second studio album by British hip hop artist M.I.A. Dance, world, hip hop and pop musical genres. The album was primarily written and produced by M.I.A. and Switch. Other producers listed include Blaqstarr, Morgan's, Diplo and Timbaland. It was recorded in numerous places including India, Angola, Trinidad, Liberia, Jamaica and Australia. She wanted to record in the US with Timbaland as the producer but had visa issues related to her parents connection with guerrillas in Sri Lanka. Oh, that might come up in a song. The music relied heavily on Logic Pro and had influences from South Asia with samples from Bollywood and Tamil cinema. Some of the lyrics have political themes related to the third world including immigration, poverty and capitalism. The album had widespread critical acclaim and, commercially, reached #18 in the US and #39 in the UK. "Bamboo Banga" begins things with a fast beat and M.I.A. with multiple voices. She begins a chant/rap. She repeats words that rhyme. A dance beat comes in midway through. I will like any song that samples the Modern Lovers' "Roadrunner." Tribal beats courtesy of the Indian urumee drums highlight "Bird Flu." A hypnotic beat. M.I.A. rapping. "Boyz" uses the urumee drums as well. Various noise samples including a pennywhistle. M.I.A. repeating "Na, Na, Na, Na." The song was influenced by her time in Jamaica and about being a female in the music industry. "Jimmy" brings the disco and dance club beat. A synth melody. Creative use of a Bollywood song. A song she used to dance to as a child. And a song that's a tribute to her Mother, whom the album title is named for. Speaking of creative sampling, without question my favorite sample use in any song is her sample of The Clash's "Straight to Hell" in "Paper Planes." Her rapping and singing. The combining of the beats, vocals, bump bump, camera and cash register into music. The song is about her problem with visas and the perception of immigrants. One of the best songs of this century in my opinion. This is an excellent album. A great fusion of world music, disco, hip hop and pop. The music is hypnotic, mysterious and danceable. Very creative use of samples...The Modern Lovers, Pixies, the Clash and Bollywood. A very high recommendation for all to listen to if you haven't and relisten to if you have.

Rating: 6/10 Mixed bag album. For better or worse, this album is very experimental. The highlights are absolutely fantastic, the production is interesting without being overwhelming and it's very melodic. When the experimentation does not work it's bad but not totally awful, this album is so interesting sonically that even when it does not work it's still interesting, although oftentimes quite annoying to listen to. I don't enjoy a decent bit of this but when it works it's something special and very creative. Favorite songs: Jimmy, 20 Dollar, XR2, Paper Planes, Come Around. Worst songs: Bamboo Banga, BirdFlu, Boyz.

Is it music? Jimmy and paper planes ok, rest is v strange.

As great as I remembered it.

I'm giving two fives in a row. I really was impressed by the variety of sounds on this album. Paper Planes was the obvious track I was looking forward to, but there was a lot of great stuff on the way up to it. "Jimmy" "Bamboo Banga" and other tracks were great!

I knew later M.I.A. albums were great. Don't know why I didn't think to check this one out. Probably assumed that Paper Planes was representative of the whole album. Not true.

Voici un résumé de l'album pour ceux qui seraient un peu pressés: klingklangklang boombadaboum pingibam (beaucoup de bruit pendant très longtemps - Paperplanes - bambadakling klong (un bruit très court mais intense)

Butt-Head: Check it out, Beavis, this dumb album generator thingy just gave us our 666th album. Beavis [mimicking Bruce Dickinson]: 6! 6! 6!…The number of the beeeast!!!! [they both head bang] Beavis: heh-heh…Satan is cool. Butt-Head: uh, Beavis…did I ever tell you that I, like, walk the path of the left hand? Beavis: uh…I don’t think so, Butt-Head. What’s that? Butt-Head: uh-huh-huh, let me show you. [Butt-Head slaps Beavis across the face with his left hand] Beavis: Ow! What the hell, Butt-Head! Why’d you do that? Butt-Head: I told you, I walk the left handed path, butt-munch. Beavis: I still don’t get- [Butt-Head slaps Beavis again] Beavis: Cut it out, Butt-Head! This sucks. Butt-Head: uh-huh-huh…you’re a dumbass. Beavis [sheepishly]: so..uh…Butt-Head, what album are we supposed to listen to? Butt-Head: uhhh…it says “Kala” by M.I.A Beavis [unenthusiastically]: …huh. [they sit in silence momentarily] Butt-Head: uhh…don’t just sit there, fartknocker… put on the record. Beavis [mumbling under his breath, annoyedly]: Why don’t you put it on, dill-weed? [They argue for a while over who is going to put on the album, with Beavis eventually acquiescing, and then listen to the record] Beavis: Hey, uh, Butt-Head…like, don’t get me wrong…it would have been cool if we got some Slayer for our 666th album…but this album is kind of awesome. Butt-Head: huh-huh…yeah, it definitely *slaps* [He slaps Beavis once again] Beavis: Dammit, Butt-Head…You know what? You can, like, slap me all you want, but it’s not going to stop me from getting down to these beats, butt-wipe. [Beavis starts twerking as “World Town” plays in the background] Butt-Head: …dumbass.

Lots of waiting around for "Paper Planes".

crap

terrible

una merda!

I really can’t stand this music

Anstrengend.

So glad this is on here. Deservedly so. Bringing dance hall into the mainstream

M.I.A. - Kala I love all the different mixes of music from around the world on this album. It's such a breath of fresh air and not your regular cookie cutter music. We all know the song Paper Planes. I had only listened to it and I'm so glad that this popped up so I would actually listen to the entire album. I saw a copy of this on vinyl while in San Diego and passed it up as I didn't want an album for one song. Now I wish I'd picked it up! (Plus the song 20 dollar has a sample/interpretation of the Pixies 'Where is my mind" that is so great) 5/5

Do I even need to listen to this? It is one of my favorite album from that era. Let me re-listen. MIA COMING BACK WITH POWER POWER. yep. Oh yeah BirdFlu.. drums 🥁 kids and SQUAWK! Boyz.. infectious rhythm. check. JIMMY AAJA throwback disco. 20 Dollar... the sequel to last album's 10 Dollar but this time you get AK's with Pixies throwbacks. WHERE IS MY MIND? XR2... Where were in you 92? Whistle whistle blow blow 🤯🤯🤯 Oh yeah that Paper Planes song that blew up a year after this album was released. Got her on the Super Bowl where she properly gave Corporate America the middle finger 🖕 Still a 5 star to me

Chaotic explosion of different sounds and genres from across the world, for someone less talented then M.I.A. this would have been a trainwreck, however the result of this album is something which is as equally accessible as it is experimental. 2000s hip-hop was starting to get stale midway through the decade, this helped revitalise it. It is definitely ahead of it's time, a lot of the hip-hop from the 10s and even hyperpop from this decade can trace it's roots back to M.I.A.'s 2000s output.

Super cool. Not your run of the mill hip hop. Definitely worth a listen if you like stuff that's a bit weird.

Wild that MIA is on this list twice (and I've already heard both). Of the two albums, I would prefer this album. Stellar production and shocked by some of the samples ($20 and Blue Monday). Two weakish tracks Mango Pickle Down River (vocals not great) and Come Around (Timbaland really drags the track down). Outside of those two, album is a great listen. Big energy.

Really liked this. Been a fan of hers for a while and enjoyed the beats.

Faites très attention lorsque vous allez lancer cet album ; pendant les dix premiers morceaux, la chanteuse répète les mêmes mots en boucle jusqu'à provoquer des douleurs au crâne qu'aucun doliprane 1000 ou 500 n'a le pouvoir d'apaiser. Prudence.

Cash register gunshot song good, the rest of the album forgettable. 2.6 stars

Paper Planes, XR2, Boyz, and some of her older songs off Arular give the je ne sais quoi of late 2000s high school (Dansex) & early college (pimp plaza). However, I imagine if I weren't in this prime demographic when it was released, I'd find this album very abrasive.

It's like listening to the world's most aggressively British marching band, but the musicians are all on ecstacy and playing Casio keyboards for children.

Only enjoyed a couple of the songs in the album, excluding Paper Planes

I consider M.I.A.'s Kala to be a significant achievement in creating obnoxious, bloated, annoying and simultaneously awkward pop music. From the nasally sung and repetitive vocals on Bamboo Banga, to the bird-screaching and baby voices on BirdFlu, the horribly sounding soaring synths on Hussel and 20 Dollar, the horns on XR2 and the annoyingly distracting sampling on Paper Planes, I am not content. To be fair to Kala, Jimmy sounds alright, Mango has a great beat. Therefore, a 2/5 is my score.

Nope, not my style.

it was overall pretty bad but I did enjoy paper planes because who doesn’t know that song and some of it had an OK bit but I really didn’t like the singing and it was very repetitive

Not a big fan. The odd song was OK.

Style over substance

It’s great that you can put records together on your own in your bedroom these days, but not everyone’s gonna like it.

Not a fan. I'm British, but British Rap has always been a bit cringeworthy.

“What if Toni Basil made a hip-hop album in the style of Art of Noise?” Yea, some questions are better left unasked.

Love love LOVE

In a nod to the Pixies, M.I.A. poses the question, "where is my mind?". It's a question that has echoed down the generations, until now. There is only one question of any importance today - "who is Nigel?".

Fantastic. A unique sound and a whole lot of energy and personality.

Love this album. Great singles and flows well together.

Fucking perfect. 10.

Bangers all the way through. Love this album

interesting

Love this album for introducing me to more world hip-hop sounds. As a huge Clash fan, I always loved Paper Planes for sampling them. But the whole album is a banger.

"And we're hittin' our records like a tennis player And the drummers do the shit like the macarena" (Bamboo banga) "When you go Rwanda Congo Take me on a genocide tour Take me on a truck to Darfur Take me where you would go Got static on ya satellite phone Gotta get you safe at home Gotta get you somewhere warm So you get me all alone" (Jimmy) Buah, resulta que la amo.

No le tengo peros a este disco, de mis favoritos del 2007; engloba muchas cosas que puedo disfrutar bastante en un disco y, además, tiene "social critique", jaja. El sonido es lo máximo y es una M.I.A. ya muy segura de su arte, su música, su imagen. La quiero mucho y este disco me hace muy feliz. No hay skips para mí y a ratos me he obsesionado con distintas canciones de este disco. Favorito total. 10/10

me acuerdo cuando salió me gustó pero no tanto. ahora que lo vuelvo a escuchar me doy cuenta que es fenomenal.

Wow!!! Que excelente disco! Una sorpresa de lo mejor!

Man, two days in a row with absolute bangers. This is a great album... love the beats... I don't think she's the very best rapper ever, but still very creative, and the album is a good holistic listen.

Yeesssss. After too much 60s and 70s albums recently, this hit extra hard. I love percussion heavy music anyway, and MIAs delivery and subject matter appeal to me too.

Absolute banger, I listen to this every few weeks to get hyped

Love this!

One of the first albums here I was already quite familiar with - loved this album when it was new and I still really enjoy it.

Like it even more after watching her documentary

Now That's What I Call Globalisation... I bloody love this album. Straight shoplifts from Bollywood (Jimmy), Australia (Mango Pickle Down River, New Order and Pixies (20 Dollar) and Africa (tons of tracks) and makes a masterpiece out of the pieces. Didn't even mention the massive crossover single here, did I? All I wanna do is [GUNSHOTS] and [CASH REGISTER] and talk about how the rest of the album is just as good as that huge Clash sampling banger. MIA is still creating great music today occasionally (between sabotaging her career with her politics, which in her case is actually fairly noble, even if sometimes it veers a little into Trump/Rogan territory). Sad to think that the reverse happened with Diplo, who has got bigger and bigger, pays the artists he steals from less and less and has been accused of some horrible #metoo behaviour. Loved him back in the day. Did I mention that while this album is brilliant, it's not a patch on her debut, Arular? But it still gets full marks from me

been a wanting to listen to this. some reallyyyy good songs proper bangers. pixies cover caught me off guard 4.5

Loved it, good energizer

Thought of this artists as a novelty one hit wonder before. Was unsure on the first song as thought it would be too experimental, however it grew on me very quickly. it's just so different from everything else on this list, evoked everything from Abba to Digeridoos and crucially had multiple great tunes. Have to give it a 5.

I was familiar with a couple of songs off this album from a performance I saw from M.I.A. at a music festival shortly after its release. I love it! Never got bored, really great beats and instruments, and interesting lyrics. The guest artists are great (love the Wilcannia Mob!). Fantastic and fun album!

Unique and hella catchy. L.O.V.E. M.I.A.

This was a lot of fun! Quite a unique sound, with cool beats and loops.

Listened to this a bit before but only a bit. Love the rhythms and fusion. Boyz is great, Jimmy is spectacular. Wasn't sure 20 Dollars worked as a lifelong Pixies/New Order fan, but on repeat it's a banger. XR2 is parp-tastic Paper Planes is a classic. But it's sampling the Clash so of course it is. It's a great record. Shame about the whole antivax bullshit, but you can't have everything.

M.I.A has made such a memorable album, crammed full of influences from a range of genres but in a style distinctly her own. The swagger and attitude is infectious and tracks like Paper Planes and Bambo Banga fair jump out the speakers. Global, iconic, anti capitalist and a tribute to her mother, M.I.A delivers an iconic album.

Refreshing deffo

Wow amazing from start to finish - I think this is one of the most British albums ever recorded. Lyrics awesome - production perfect - Mia’s delivery is constantly on point while also bring tongue in cheek - the influence varied and global in reach … The references to Modern Lovers, Pixies and of course the perfect use of the sample from ‘Straight to Hell’ in what probably is one of the most anthemic songs of the late noughties ‘Paper Planes’… It’s made me plenty sad because I have not known this album for the 15 years it has existed - sad that I won’t have the joy of listening to it for the first time again and be blown away at every corner with every track … but hey now I can make up for it.

hell yeah, I loved that more than I was expecting to (obviously,) the only song I knew beforehand was Paper Planes so I was just expecting a fairly simple hip-hop/pop album but it’s so much more experimental than that, which I think is awesome! yeah I really loved it, no complaints 10/10

Top 20 album for me. Maybe top 10 if not for that terrible Timbaland verse. All of these beats are precision engineered to deliver the maximum amount of dopamine possible. It’s also a fun musical journey when you delve into the cross references. For instance: Paper Planes samples the Clash. It was produced by Diplo whose Essential Mix includes an awesome remix of Boyz. Diplomat’s Son by Vampire Weekend samples Hussel. Etc. MIA embraces musical traditions from India and samples from sounds around the world (as seen in her movie), but her mix of rap and pop is also super original and prescient of current internet DIY music trends. Iconic voice, iconic lyrics. We still like MIA and we still look fly.

One of the best albums ive heard on this list so far.

There are certain songs that hit you so hard, that you'll never forget when and where you were the first time you heard them. Despite already being well familiar with M.I.A., "Bamboo Banga" was one of those songs for me. And as if that wasn't enough, she follows it up with 40+ minutes of the freshest, hardest beats that anyone was making at the time. The lyrics are equally hard hitting and shine a light on the injustices of the world that we in the west often turn a blind eye to. Her flow may be simplistic, but it suits her style and her beats so damn well. 15 years later, and this album has not lost it's freshness, nor unfortunately, the relevance of it's message. 5 burner phones out of 5 📱📱📱📱📱

Obviously am super familiar with Paper Planes, a track that still slaps after nearly 15 years. But this whole album is straight fire. I love the mixes here, infusing hip hop and world music in really creative and enjoyable ways. The track with the rapping childen is SO CUTE but also badass. Very happy with this one.

Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Bamboo banga, Bird flu, Jimmy, Boyz, Hussel, World town, The turn, XR2, Paper planes, Come around

Paper planes is so goooood

Watch her documentary

i’ve always loved mia. this is clearly her best work, and it’s one of those albums where i wouldn’t change a single thing. perfect sound, perfect production, perfect lyrics.

I initially didn’t understand why MIA was included on this list but, my preconceptions were quickly dispelled when I actually listened to the album. The album should get a five just for its novelty, I’ve never heard anything that sounds like it. But the album is more than just a cool sound, it’s solid all around.

Amazing album from start to finish

Never heard of M.I.A. before, but this was a pleasant surprise. Totally vibed with it.

A big improvement from M.I.A.'s debut. The Clash. The Pixies. Even Ottawan gets in the mix.

What a frickin’ sweet record. Catchy and in-your-face and rhythmic and fun and fancy and just gooooood. It reminds me of how I felt after Stankonia - just in awe at the beats and wild production. 9/10

Wow, what a great album. Been a while since I listened to this album. I thoroughly enjoyed this session. Fave tracks are Boyz, 20 Dollar, XR2, and of course Paper Plans.

Catchy, fun, and weird. Such a fun album

Stonkingly good!

2007 - Hip hop; Pop; Electronic

Infectious, banging and annoying (in a good way). Pure brilliance. Listened to this a lot in 2007. Switch and Diplo really managed to create a global unique sound for MIA. They went on to create great things with Major Lazer. It’s the effortlessness both in MIAs rap and in the continuous experimentation with sounds and influences that makes this stand out.

A feast for the ears 9/10

A spectacularly crazy and highly experimental record fusing pop, hip-hop, electronica, and world music. Every track is different in structure and musical style and yet carries the same mood and production techniques, always full of intense energy and speed. Disco, reggeaton, Bollywood... Just like Kanye, she can release innovative, catchy, and impactful tunes, and turn out to be a crazy delusionist in real life. Only downside is the middle section loses energy and focus, causing it to be too grating, but it comes back near the end. Favorites: Boyz, Jimmy, Paper Planes

A jam-packed collage of sounds, textures, rhythms and influences. By rights it should irritate me greatly, but the album brings the disparate electronic noises together brilliantly and delivers banger after banger after banger. Although I didn't pick up on many of the lyrics (I look forward to a more active listen later), the energy of the album alone draws you in. Yes. I think this probably is a masterpiece. Rating: 5/5 Playlist track: Paper Planes Date listened: 18/09/23

This album is honestly incredible, both in the context of when it came out and now still today. I remember it being so intriguing, so blurring of genres and cultures and so good when it came out, and it still feels that fresh and unbelievable today. It's surprising that it didn't reach more people. M.I.A. is probably too political for mainstream success, but her lyrics and beats are up there with the best. Excellent album.

An immaculate blend of hip hop and world music, sonically expansive and irreverent. M.I.A. still makes music, but she’s never bettered this album.

This is my thing

Like an updated version of The Clash's Combat Rock, Kala addresses an ever-shrinking globe and the tension between the rich nations and rest of the world. The sounds are bombastic and modern. The rhymes are a great example of grime in the early 2000s.

I'm a big fan of M.I.A. as an artist. She has a style all her own and has produced some massive bangers. Her personal stance against vaccination is nauseating though.

M.I.A is absolute 🔥, absolutely in my wheelhouse (although I’ve listened to Paper Planes too much over the years). As before, she has important strong political messages. I just LOVED this and it’s a personal 5 for me. Listens: 2 Fave Track: 20 Dollar Rating: 5