Arular
by M.I.A.
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 326 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 277 out of 326
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 326
  3. Negative: 33 out of 326

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  1. JM
    Jul 7, 2005
    10
    One of the essential albums of the year...
  2. sidewinder572
    Jul 13, 2006
    10
    I don't know her story. I just bought this on a whim. Gave me chills. One hell of an album.
  3. Brendan
    Sep 26, 2005
    10
    Simply amazing - and this is coming from someone who's heard stranger things than most of you will ever hear in your entire lifetime. M.I.A. is a consummate artist (which is one of many things her dissenters are NOT), and she wears her weaknesses better than you wear your pretensions. I'm probably strutting to her beats as you're reading this and wondering why you Simply amazing - and this is coming from someone who's heard stranger things than most of you will ever hear in your entire lifetime. M.I.A. is a consummate artist (which is one of many things her dissenters are NOT), and she wears her weaknesses better than you wear your pretensions. I'm probably strutting to her beats as you're reading this and wondering why you aren't either.… Expand
  4. Cha7
    Apr 2, 2005
    9
    Easily, one of the best albums of the year. I think the last time I checked, Arular was 9th or 11th on the best selling list at Amazon.com. While I don't think that this record will ever get any real big city radio play in American cities (which sucks), except for maybe Galanga or Sunshowers, she definately will be a force to be reckend with come her second album. The only thing that Easily, one of the best albums of the year. I think the last time I checked, Arular was 9th or 11th on the best selling list at Amazon.com. While I don't think that this record will ever get any real big city radio play in American cities (which sucks), except for maybe Galanga or Sunshowers, she definately will be a force to be reckend with come her second album. The only thing that I'm kind of dissapointed is that that while It is really refershing to hear someone as creative as M.I.A., her songs are songs that are not songs that you will be blasting in your ears everyday for the next few weeks. In fact, like good ammo, they should be used sparingly, when you need a good pick me up. What I will like to see from her that this record gains her enough popularity that she collaborate with some of the greatest minds of dancehall and hip-hop. Why you may ask? Because her beats are awesome!!… Expand
  5. AlecM
    Apr 6, 2005
    10
    With 10K songs on my iPod, i've been listening to nothing else but Arular for three weeks now. I bought Piracy Funds Terrorism, and I'm looking forward to it, just to hear M.I.A's vocals in a new context. I've got my tickets to see her at Coachella, and again with LCD Soundsystem at the El Rey in LA. Obsessesed? Just a bit. Not since the one two punch of Dry and Exile With 10K songs on my iPod, i've been listening to nothing else but Arular for three weeks now. I bought Piracy Funds Terrorism, and I'm looking forward to it, just to hear M.I.A's vocals in a new context. I've got my tickets to see her at Coachella, and again with LCD Soundsystem at the El Rey in LA. Obsessesed? Just a bit. Not since the one two punch of Dry and Exile in Guyville way back in 1992-93, has there been such an intelligent, compelling, and beautiful woman's voice in popular music. I can't wait to hear what she has to say next.… Expand
  6. kammie
    Aug 6, 2005
    10
    Bliss!!!! This is the most addictive album I ever heard in my whole entire life!!!! They get stuck in your head and you need more, you absolutely need it!!! It's like giving an 80 dollar sample of crack cocaine to a crackhead!!! This is the best cd I ever heard in my life!!!! Pure joy!!! Bliss!!!!!!!!!
  7. MikeC
    Jan 2, 2006
    10
    One of the best albums I've heard in a long time. I love her production, and I think it's the most original and unique blend of genres that actually works well and is a privilege to listen to.
  8. Malini
    Jun 3, 2006
    10
    If you like to dance, you'll probably like this. It really makes you want to move. And once you get into it, you dont want to stop playing it.
  9. JasperB
    Nov 13, 2005
    9
    Pure fun
  10. Mell
    Nov 4, 2005
    8
    It's a unique album, great in the sense that its genre is unexplored by pop musicians.
  11. Sveta?
    Oct 5, 2005
    9
    Simple but complex, great party music. Although I am mostly into hard rock, this album is just as addicting as many of my usual listenings.
  12. VladA.
    Mar 22, 2005
    10
    Damn this is good...
  13. eliasi
    Mar 22, 2005
    9
    it could be better, but as a debut, it's outstanding.
  14. Andrew
    Mar 24, 2005
    10
    Highly original hip hop/dance straight outta London from a Sri Lankan refugee. And that is definitely not your typical dance or hip hop. Definitely not overrated, if anything, there should be more perfect scores! And not like anything else out there. Words cannot suffice to describe how all over the place it is, fusing genres, and doing so perfectly. I have been listening to Arular since Highly original hip hop/dance straight outta London from a Sri Lankan refugee. And that is definitely not your typical dance or hip hop. Definitely not overrated, if anything, there should be more perfect scores! And not like anything else out there. Words cannot suffice to describe how all over the place it is, fusing genres, and doing so perfectly. I have been listening to Arular since it was originally due to be released, but was postponed due to sampling issues, I have no idea if anything was changed. My guess may have been 'Rocky' sounding samples from 'Bucky Done Gone'. Now M.I.A. born Maya Arulpragasam has signed a record deal with Interscope which will see it drop in mid April. Start to finish, a gem of a record! Highly recommened listening. I guarantee it will be in number one in umpteen top ten lists for 2005, and in even more top ten lists overall!… Expand
  15. ChrisC
    Mar 24, 2005
    9
    A really fantastic dance album. Sure, it's got a lot of repetetive beats and hooks, but it's a totally immersive listen, and M.I.A. just seems to have an instinct for using the right beats at the right times, whatever anyone might think about the depth or lack of in her political insights.
  16. RobH
    Mar 24, 2005
    10
    It combines all the elements I could ever wish for in a pop album. It`s something completely new and NOW!
  17. andpola
    Mar 26, 2005
    8
    While the beats are insane, and this girl sure knows how to rock out. I think it's too political for it's own good. The saving grace about this is the songs are so hot you can listen to one and completly miss the undertones, but still enjoy the album.
  18. ElliotG
    Mar 28, 2005
    10
    Mindblowing. Easily the best album of the year so far, destined to become the overall best album of 2005.
  19. Rza
    Apr 14, 2005
    10
    Magic
  20. annas
    Apr 28, 2005
    9
    great and fun!! what else is good out there that's fun? just listened to regina spektor: i'd give it a zero.
  21. RasulS
    Apr 5, 2005
    8
    I am HUGE music Fan - my music interests span from artists such as Ali Farka Toure to Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails and M.I.A.'s album is hot geniusness!! The music is paradoxical in a beautiful way (but doesn't that make the most interesting stuff?) Inititally the party aspect of her music hits you, then, if you feel the need to dig deeper, you can explore the complex issues I am HUGE music Fan - my music interests span from artists such as Ali Farka Toure to Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails and M.I.A.'s album is hot geniusness!! The music is paradoxical in a beautiful way (but doesn't that make the most interesting stuff?) Inititally the party aspect of her music hits you, then, if you feel the need to dig deeper, you can explore the complex issues of her politics as she spreads them acrross the landscape of here album. This all in turn creates a complex mosaic of good time partying and thought provoking polemics. What an album!! Definitely the sure shot of '05. Pull up the People Pull up the Poor. . . . !!! Rock on M.I.A.… Expand
  22. DonG
    Apr 6, 2005
    10
    Not ONE of the best, but THE bet album of the year. And likely to remain so.
  23. NathenM
    Apr 7, 2005
    9
    After listening the album, and reading her interviews, I tend to see the album title as another one word loud cry like "Mummy" (for Diana by her sons).
  24. DavisW
    May 4, 2005
    9
    Insanely catchy with powerful lyrics. A great add to anyone's collection. Easily one of the best this year.
  25. HallowS
    May 5, 2005
    9
    it's nice to hear someone willing to skip the production values & head for the dancefloor -w- some raw beats, international flavour & whatever politics-for-tha-people will fit in their pockets. Fun + different! Fk tha cynics! Enjoy - let th world in!
  26. matta
    Jun 6, 2005
    8
    Doesn't quite live up to some of the buzz, and a lot of people probably won't really like the style, but it is way catchy and a genuinely fun album to listen to. Like a female version of Dizzee Rascal.
  27. HadizaM
    Jul 10, 2005
    10
    This fusion of Bangra melodies and electro beats is a breath of fresh air from the usual dance tracks that are out there today. It is also refreshing to know these very original tunes are coming from a solo artist and not the usual DJ backed with a team of performers. My hands up to this album and this artist, most definately 10 out of 10.
  28. maxpowered
    Aug 8, 2005
    10
    all u haters are crazy. world music? wtf? kind of let's you know where that user is coming from. get this cd if you want to look cool? stick to your own pretensions and leave everyone else's alone. This is one of the best albums released in quite a while.
  29. alans
    Aug 8, 2005
    10
    Who else is making this sound? No one.
  30. janeDoe
    Aug 8, 2005
    10
    I'd heard some cuts from this album on npr this year and I thought wow.... I've got to get that record. Needless to say I was not disappointed. Maya's mix of Bhangra, hip hop, and diy beats makes her one of the years stand out artist. Not only is her sound timeless but her lyrics are as well. She is a woman with something to say and on this record she says it loud and clear.
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Album of 2005
19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2005
8
#8 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Urb
    80
    M.I.A.'s singsong cadence is both child-like and streetwise, perfectly mirroring the smiley-faced menace of the electro-informed palpitations behind her. [Mar 2005, p.113]
  2. Village Voice
    80
    Not for a moment does the violence seem vindictive, sadistic, or pleasurable. It's a fact of life to be triumphed over, with beats and tunelets stolen or remembered or willed into existence.
    Read full review
  3. Austin Chronicle
    89
    Fortifying her monstrous singles "Galang" and "Sunshowers" with further molten munitions, Arular is primed for worldwide insurrection.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »