User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 325 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 288 out of 325
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Mixed: 14 out of 325
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Negative: 23 out of 325
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Oct 2, 2011
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DizzY.Aug 27, 2007Vibe listen carefully, open your mind. MIA is great.
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JohnA.Jan 5, 2009Gorgeous.
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JakeMOct 25, 2007Amazing album! Possibly one of the best of the year. It's so good to hear something original these days. I highly recommend this album! Best songs are Paper Planes, 20 Dollar and Jimmy
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FernandoV.Dec 4, 2007This album is dangerous to my health. My neck and shoulders are eternally sore from popping, locking, and nodding.
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matta.Aug 18, 2007I knew there would be at least one douche bag critic who would ruin the score for this album. Just as good as Arular but it isn`t a debut and so it won`t get nearly as much love as it should. A few just okay moments (first single Boyz is the worst song on the album), but so many classics, especially $20, Paper Planes, Jimmy, XR2, etc.
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MarkusSAug 21, 2007No words can express how great this record is. Album of the year this far. Not listening to this album means not listening to the new kind auf "worldmusic"
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IanC.Aug 20, 2007
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michaeltAug 24, 2007Pivotal
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RealistJoeSep 4, 2007Good on M.I.A. for coming out with an interesting second record. Her production on this album is stellar, and given her limited resources, and aesthetic for wanting things done cheaply, it comes off great. Props to her for great diversity in her production, outlook and musical/artistic taste.
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TalesR.Sep 4, 2007I really recommend this album, is an experience.
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KumuthanxJun 11, 2008MIA is excellent! talented. a genius. her music is like abstract art. only some of you will "get it".
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PaulaK.Jul 4, 2008Crazy.Cool.Hot.Nice..
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markAug 19, 2007"Arular" was one hell of a masterpiece, so my expectations for this album were insanely high. I was not disappointed. "Kala" is just as great, if not better. M.I.A. truly is one of the best, most original artists of our time.
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[Anonymous]Aug 20, 2007
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DavidG.Aug 26, 2007Pop/Rap brilliance encapsulated in a surprisingly, refreshingly digestible smörgåsbord of world music.
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MattJAug 20, 2007Uses the variation of beats and eclectic sounds of the first but expands that sound. Now featuring more brazil based samba sounds to classical violins. There's also more variation in tone and rythm with slower songs on a par with some of the more upbeat ones. Great fresh new album
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JamesMSep 1, 2007A refreshing album. Alive with the global noise of life. I love the Aussie kids on track 6.
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GinnaQSep 10, 2007Asides from the last track, this is one of the best albums of 2007.
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IyotirmayaD.Sep 10, 2007I can't stop playing it.
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IxataSep 23, 2007Omg, recommended: paper planes, bird flu, jimmy, come around fantastic.
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PaulCSep 25, 2007Simply put, this album is some of the best music you'll hear all year. M.I.A. is one of the only artists to give us a fresh sound in the 007.
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MikeyDSep 3, 2007This is smoking! "World Town", "Bamboo Banga", "20 Dollar" and "Paper Planes" are all FIRE!
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GeorgeW.Sep 4, 2007Stellar!
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MarcyM.Sep 4, 2007The best album of the year!
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MarcusW.Sep 4, 2007Kala is the world in your hands, amazing album.
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MatthewS.Jan 29, 2008This is the freshest stuff out there for those into music that captivates. A lot of music requires a lot of attention, as does Kala, but this artist turns the process into pure enjoyment.
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OwenP.Feb 10, 2008Originally I was quite skeptical, but this album didn't take long to grow on me. A very cool electronic/dance sound which separates itself from the mainstream with politically motivated lyrics. Can't wait for her next album.
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BethanyL.Feb 18, 2008My favorite release of the past few years. M.I.A. is as talented as she is quirky, heartfelt, and likable. Meaningful, uniquely-delivered lyrics. Bouncy, interesting beats. And....a whole lot of fun. World class album. You can't help but root for this chick and all her future projects.
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SimonK.Oct 17, 2007Quality from start to finish! As good as Arular , which is the biggest compliment i can bestow
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ErikU.Dec 11, 2007Best album of the year. Infectious beats, witty and meaningful lyrics. Definitely not for the weak of heart. I. Am. Fan.
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JuliaA.Dec 18, 2007I can't think any other name that would dare to put sound of guns being shot,cash register's ka-ching,didgeridoo,Indian disco music and an opening with the word 'Roadrunner' in it. Lady Mathangi did a splendid job on this record!
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SamH.Dec 23, 2007
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patdDec 2, 2007Great Album
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TimE.Oct 26, 2007This album is M.I.Alicious as Fergie would put it. Sorry for even mentioning Ferigie in the same sentence as MIA as she would never stoop to that level.
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FelipeP.Aug 18, 2007The album of the year, M.I.A. backs better than ever!
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ChrisW.Aug 18, 2007M.I.A. is one the most original artists out right now. Take full advantage of listening to this album... loud! The sounds that come through the speakers are so incredible. There is nothing like it out right now. Vibe mag doesn't know what they're talking about... nor have they ever.
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MJ88Aug 18, 2007Stunning. Exciting. AWESOME.
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benkAug 21, 2007"Kala" is an epic album from start to finish. M.I.A.'s debut "Arular" was already good enough as it is, but the follow-up completely trumps it. There is a much bigger, fuller sound and the material is stronger.
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NinjawAug 21, 2007since when did fucking vibe count? album of the year.
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briankAug 21, 2007Brilliant, furious, blazing and insanely cool! This album makes her last one sound like mainstream pop!
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AaronS.Aug 22, 2007This album is bonkers. One of the best of the year.
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NickAug 23, 2007Solid, solid, solid. Vibe is way wrong on this - are they upset because it's the one release of 2007 without Timbaland on it? Boo-freaking-hoo.
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ChrisCAug 23, 2007Easy frontrunner for best of the year. I don't care how ridiculous she looks trying to do rap poses in her press photos. Kala is better than Arular.
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AricBAug 23, 2007
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rayrAug 23, 2007a jolt and refreshing listen to all the indie recycled boybandish stuff out there
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SashaLAug 25, 2007What was the hell was Vibe listening to? Top 5 five this year Garantee! I wish there were more of rap artist like her.
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BobAug 25, 2007"Bamboo Banga" took me a few listens, but that song is epic. Mindblowing record.
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GuiV.Aug 26, 2007Fantastic! MIA continues a wonderful work, where misc doesn't mean just a crap!
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AaronDAug 27, 2007
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DolceAddictAug 28, 2007
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dancSep 1, 2007some great tunes. some very not ones. paper planes is amazing. some tracks need better production to make it feel more full, dare i say more 'sane'?
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FabioLSep 1, 2007
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MarcG.Sep 23, 2007Arular was very good,this one (in my opinion) is even better.
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MycroftW.Sep 5, 2007Great beats, wack but fun lyrics, its Arular all over again.
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davidv.Sep 7, 2007I'm very satisfied.
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AlexPJan 13, 2008Best coolest album of 2007. No doubt in my mind.
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AlfredoMMar 17, 2008Outstanding!!! Songs like Boyz and XR 2 make you wanna dance. Bird Flu is amazing. I took me a while but the almun really grew on me fast. Is just fantastic.
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SophiaF.Apr 9, 2008I love this album. It's not only hip and catchy, the lyrics are very substantial. If you don't like this LP, it's probably because you just don't understand.
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DavehJun 29, 2008Pretty spectacular and wildly unique! amazing album! best songs- bamboo banga, birdflu, boyz, jimmy, hussel, 20 dollar, xr2, paper planes and come around are all outstanding tracks!
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JoobyDoobyAug 15, 2008Perfect album.
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JohnnyFlowSep 7, 2008
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JordanKNov 1, 2007I can understand why people would hate this album. I hated it during my first few listens. But, past the couple annoying tunes (to me at least), there is a lot being done here that you just can't hear anywhere else. This artist has more guts and creativity than most if not all in her style of music
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jeremyfAug 21, 2007This is a perfect album. I won't get into details. However, the calculation for this is 87, and its real average is about 82. As much as I'd love the 87 to be true, it's not. And I feel like most of these averages aren't true either. I don't know how they evaluate them.
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NMAug 21, 2007This album is amazing.. I love the way she so smoothly unites so many global sounds. It's also a very diverse album in terms of sounds. It's fun to listen to as well.
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DerekmAug 21, 2007
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derekaAug 21, 2007Hey I am retarded. Diplo didn't do World Town. He did XR2 and Paper Planes. Anyway, turns out that the majority of the good songs were Switch, as Timbaland's and Balqstarr's were probably the album's worst.
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RobertPAug 21, 2007Bloody amazing - the sound of multiculturalism and globalisation. Not so much of a clash of civilisations, more a breakdance
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aL.AAug 22, 2007This album is slightly better than Arular. Almost classic
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GustavoSAug 22, 2007I believe the greatest thing about this album is that I have to listen to the songs again and again to get all the sounds together while I dance the night away. This is no sophomore slump, no disappointments, just pure funky grooves served up fresh. I am so glad to have bought this album and greatly recommend it.
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MikeK.Aug 26, 2007
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SophieBAug 29, 2007WFT.. Vibe's review? 3/10? Is that site being serious? Fantastic album.
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SoulSpeakAug 31, 2007Vaguely political, sometimes brilliant, overly acclaimed. I am an MIA fan but am well aware of her shortcomings as an artist. Better classified as a collage artist with a nice aesthetic but limited in message. But props to Switch for proving his diverse reach in production.
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PhamN.Sep 11, 2007
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DanB.Sep 16, 2007I kind of wanted to not like this album. Too much hype + shallow pop-lefty-politics = bleh. Turns out the album's pretty good, voerall. Listened to it 5 times now and overall I like it more than Arular. Can't stand XR2, but I love Paper Planes and Jimmy (cover's better than the original too).
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DanA.Sep 23, 2007
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VerianT.Sep 26, 2007Perfect crazy perfect.
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NickPJan 28, 2008
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JoseD.Nov 11, 2007MIA has made me a fan. I first saw and heard her on LOGO's the Click List video countdown show. The tune was Boyz. I replayed on my TiVo. Way to go TiVo. Kala Pumps out awesome beats! I want MORE!
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APoliDec 21, 2007
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BilleyL.Dec 27, 2007Such an amazing eclectic dance album that takes a couple of listens. once u do u will get hooked.
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Jan 5, 2012
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Oct 3, 2011The second LP by Mathangi Arulpragasam, who is known in the music world as M.I.A., is crazy. Wonderfully crazy. Named after M.I.A.â
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Apr 19, 2012
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May 6, 2012A good use of her voice, such as in Bamboo Banga. M.I.A. is excellent at lyrics, and the production from her counterpart Diplo is fresh and different. She really has something to say.
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May 20, 2012
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Jul 22, 2012
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May 21, 2013This project it's amazing and shows the imagination of M.I.A the electronic and captivating sound involved us in a very different world of how listen music.
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Apr 26, 2013I will say this the best album of '07 and one of the best of the 2000's decade. There's gunshots, screams, rap, and hip hop all mixed together to make a jaw dropping melting pot of an album. From "Bird Flu" to "JImmy" to "20 Dollar", M.I.A. does not disappoint. From sampling The Pixies and covering "JImmy, Jimmy Aaja Aaja", M.I.A. learned to be different than the rest of the hip hop world
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May 6, 2013I'm sure that Kala is the best M.I.A.'s album and is so much stronger than Arular. Is my favorite one of her too, and is the type of album that you can't hear just one time, and make you love who made it.
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Dec 6, 2013This is definitely not her best album, but it's still awesome and as mind-blowing as Arular. The highlights of Kala are Boyz, Bird Flu, Jimmy, Come Around and Paper Planes.
PS: For you haters giving this album a negative score, please learn about politics before saying that her lyrics are meaningless. -
Aug 12, 2013M.I.A. does it again with her second best album yet. With energetic pop beats and amazing vocals, no wonder this got so high reviews. Definitely an amazing album.
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Sep 29, 2013This album is freaking perfect. I can't explain how I love EVERY song of Kala. M.I.A. is a genius. Highlights:
Bamboo Banga: 3/5
Bird Flu: 4/5
Boyz: 5/5
Jimmy: 5/5
20 Dollar: 5/5
XR2: 3/5
Paper Planes: 10/5
Come Around: 5/5 -
Sep 8, 2016Meu album favorito da M.I.A. acho genial e maravilhoso . Fora o conceito que ele oferece...parece surreal, tudo nesse disco é perfeito. até as piores musicas do album se tornam agradáveis
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Mar 5, 2015Kala is fantastic, wonderful, his lyrics and melodies are more than masterpieces by far XR2 is the best song on the album, if not one of the best M.I.A. has produced throughout his career.
I really love this album. -
Dec 15, 2014This is my favorite album is highly addictive and these songs will always stay in my memory. The songs are perfect because they have a great production. My favorite: Boyz, Paper Planes, Jimmy and Bamboo Banga.
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Feb 26, 2022
Awards & Rankings
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Although there are a couple of failed tracks--like the tediously slow 'The Turn'--most of this stuff is groundbreaking.
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There are the terrible lyrics and more than a few moments where her one-style-fits-all MCing grates, but there's also the politics that no one else would touch, an intelligence, colour and humour, and the added benefit of centrifugally heavy production. Skip a couple, and you're in for a treat.
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Q MagazineEverything here is a fantastic hybrid, M.I.A. and her platoon of producers thieving fashionable street sounds from Baltimore hip hop to Brazil's baile funk. [Sep 2007, p.89]