Track Listing

1. Bamboo Banga
2. Birdflu
3. Boyz
4. Jimmy
5. Hussel
6. Mango Pickle Down River
7. 20 Dollar
8. World Town
9. The Turn
10. XR2
11. Paper Planes
12. Come Around

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #194 in Music
• Released on: 2007-08-21
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Maya Arulpragasam, the British-based daughter of Sri Lankan refugees, delivered one of 2005's eye-popping debuts, Arular. For an album that proudly flaunted tin-can production, indecipherable South London slang, and lyrical nods to suicide bombers, it brought the woman who records under the name M.I.A. unexpected mainstream success--she followed its release by touring North America with Gwen Stefani and recording with Missy Elliott and Timbaland, while the single "Galang" made its way into a car commercial. Kala (the first release was named after her freedom-fighting father, this one after her mother) throws Arulpragasam's newfound pop credentials into the bustle of Bollywood rhythms, police sirens, 8-bit dancehall beats, Third World car horns, and street singers. Recorded across several continents, it presents a far more dynamic listening experience than her first album, especially with tracks like "Bamboo Banga," "Jimmy," and "Paper Planes." It's no less exhausting, though. What with the New Order sample, Timbaland cameo, and gunshot sound effects, there isn't a moment when it doesn't feel like you've unintentionally invited an entire carnival into your home. --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description
THIS CD FEATURES A FREE RINGTONE AND MOBILE PHONE WALLPAPER (see insert for details)

M.I.A. is hailed as one of the most freshly creative artists to hit the scene, paving the way for fierce and adventurous females to break the mold. With KALA, she pulls even more globe-trekking, and genre bending into her musical mix.

Recorded in India, Trinidad, Australia, London, New York and Baltimore, M.I.A. has crafted an international sound that is as excitingly undefineable as it is infectious.

The first single from KALA, "Boyz" was just listed at #1 Rolling Stone's Hot List, and #1 song of the Month in Blender magazine!

"Electrifying" - The New York Times

Album Description
M.I.A. is UK singer/rapper Maya Arulpragasam. Her 2005 debut album Arular unleashed her devastating dislocated beats, pounding basslines and chant-along vocals. M.I.A.'s unparalleled mongrel mix of hip-hop, ragga, dancehall, electro and punk saw Arular garner praise from far and wide, including being short listed for the Mercury Music Prize. In the USA M.I.A. signed with Interscope and hit the road opening for Gwen Stefani. M.I.A. is now set to release her second studio album, Kala. Amazing talent join forces with her on the new album, including Diplo, Timbaland, DJ Blaqstarr, Three 6 Mafia and producer, Switch.

Customer Reviews

Fresh, new, invigorating
This cd is great. It's fresh, new, invigorating, original, and fun. Personally, I love it for upbeat workout music. If you like M.I.A., check out Santogold as well.

Crappy Beat Music
I hate that first of all, she had to sample The Clash and everytime they play her song on the radio, I think it is The Clash.
This is really nothing more than crappy beat music. People seem to rave about it and I cannot understand why. The lyrics are not great, the background music is not original or anything.

I am a huge music fan and historian, and MIA is one of the most overrated artists of the new age. I respect her and her art, but just because you love music does not mean you can make it worth a darn. I am living proof of that. Haha.

superlative hooks
Outrageous genius. The catchiest dance album I've heard in five years. This is one of those "something new" moments in music that come along only once in a long while but change everything once they do.