Kala
by M.I.A.
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 325 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 288 out of 325
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 325
  3. Negative: 23 out of 325

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  1. LuizCC
    Oct 2, 2011
    10
    Epical! It's just the adjective I can use to explain the mixing of references and beats that one of the most reminding singer ever done. Maya Aralprugasam a.k.a. M.I.A. returned after her acclaimed start "Arular" with more power (like she herself says in "Bamboo Banga", one the greatest songs of this album). When the urban culture got down with the African beat, it turned into a CD thatEpical! It's just the adjective I can use to explain the mixing of references and beats that one of the most reminding singer ever done. Maya Aralprugasam a.k.a. M.I.A. returned after her acclaimed start "Arular" with more power (like she herself says in "Bamboo Banga", one the greatest songs of this album). When the urban culture got down with the African beat, it turned into a CD that contains pearls like "Paper Planes", "XR2", "Jimmy" e "World Town". The great difference for the first CD is that this one bring the power of the streets, and not just the powerbeat from Africa. This mixing is the special thing, the X-Factor, that makes this, one the shinny albums ever.… Expand
  2. DizzY.
    Aug 27, 2007
    9
    Vibe listen carefully, open your mind. MIA is great.
  3. JohnA.
    Jan 5, 2009
    7
    Gorgeous.
  4. JakeM
    Oct 25, 2007
    9
    Amazing 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
  5. FernandoV.
    Dec 4, 2007
    10
    This album is dangerous to my health. My neck and shoulders are eternally sore from popping, locking, and nodding.
  6. matta.
    Aug 18, 2007
    9
    I 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.
  7. MarkusS
    Aug 21, 2007
    10
    No 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"
  8. IanC.
    Aug 20, 2007
    10
    Even though it's certainly rough around the edges, if Kala is anything it's momentous, but its reviews don't reflect that. How is it that the mode score seems to be 80? I don't want to accuse a critic of copping out because he is afraid of not understanding an album that everyone else glowingly reviews, but if you've ever written about music, you know it's a Even though it's certainly rough around the edges, if Kala is anything it's momentous, but its reviews don't reflect that. How is it that the mode score seems to be 80? I don't want to accuse a critic of copping out because he is afraid of not understanding an album that everyone else glowingly reviews, but if you've ever written about music, you know it's a temptation. From my point of view, this album could be nothing if not ~10 or ~0.… Expand
  9. michaelt
    Aug 24, 2007
    10
    Pivotal
  10. RealistJoe
    Sep 4, 2007
    8
    Good 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.
  11. TalesR.
    Sep 4, 2007
    10
    I really recommend this album, is an experience.
  12. Kumuthanx
    Jun 11, 2008
    10
    MIA is excellent! talented. a genius. her music is like abstract art. only some of you will "get it".
  13. PaulaK.
    Jul 4, 2008
    10
    Crazy.Cool.Hot.Nice..
  14. mark
    Aug 19, 2007
    10
    "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.
  15. [Anonymous]
    Aug 20, 2007
    9
    A completely worthy follow-up to Arular. M.I.A. still blends every style you could think of (even disco - see "Jimmy") and makes it work. It's interesting, catchy, and with the political overtones that M.I.A. is known for. It's more feminine, there's quite a bit more singing than there was on Arular, but don't expect anything conventional popstars would even dream of. A completely worthy follow-up to Arular. M.I.A. still blends every style you could think of (even disco - see "Jimmy") and makes it work. It's interesting, catchy, and with the political overtones that M.I.A. is known for. It's more feminine, there's quite a bit more singing than there was on Arular, but don't expect anything conventional popstars would even dream of. ("Boyz" is probably the closest you'd get.)… Expand
  16. DavidG.
    Aug 26, 2007
    10
    Pop/Rap brilliance encapsulated in a surprisingly, refreshingly digestible smörgåsbord of world music.
  17. MattJ
    Aug 20, 2007
    9
    Uses 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
  18. JamesM
    Sep 1, 2007
    8
    A refreshing album. Alive with the global noise of life. I love the Aussie kids on track 6.
  19. GinnaQ
    Sep 10, 2007
    9
    Asides from the last track, this is one of the best albums of 2007.
  20. IyotirmayaD.
    Sep 10, 2007
    9
    I can't stop playing it.
  21. Ixata
    Sep 23, 2007
    10
    Omg, recommended: paper planes, bird flu, jimmy, come around fantastic.
  22. PaulC
    Sep 25, 2007
    9
    Simply 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.
  23. MikeyD
    Sep 3, 2007
    9
    This is smoking! "World Town", "Bamboo Banga", "20 Dollar" and "Paper Planes" are all FIRE!
  24. GeorgeW.
    Sep 4, 2007
    10
    Stellar!
  25. MarcyM.
    Sep 4, 2007
    10
    The best album of the year!
  26. MarcusW.
    Sep 4, 2007
    10
    Kala is the world in your hands, amazing album.
  27. MatthewS.
    Jan 29, 2008
    10
    This 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.
  28. OwenP.
    Feb 10, 2008
    9
    Originally 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.
  29. BethanyL.
    Feb 18, 2008
    10
    My 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.
  30. SimonK.
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    Quality from start to finish! As good as Arular , which is the biggest compliment i can bestow
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Album of 2007
20
#20 Most Discussed Album of 2007
3
#3 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. cokemachineglow
    87
    Although there are a couple of failed tracks--like the tediously slow 'The Turn'--most of this stuff is groundbreaking.
    Read full review
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    80
    Everything 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]
See all critic reviews »