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. clem666
    Aug 25, 2020
    6
    There is no doubt M.I.A. is reaching here the most original beats. Just by the selection of the instruments we feel the goal to produce varied tracks, new tempos and communicative lyrics. Voices and choirs also are an impressive help to the album. Unfortunately all this originality makes 'Kala' a hard project to listen to. We are pushed in all directions and mishandled with the feeling ofThere is no doubt M.I.A. is reaching here the most original beats. Just by the selection of the instruments we feel the goal to produce varied tracks, new tempos and communicative lyrics. Voices and choirs also are an impressive help to the album. Unfortunately all this originality makes 'Kala' a hard project to listen to. We are pushed in all directions and mishandled with the feeling of entering and being trapped is a huge mess of sounds and vocals. Some tracks can be truly annoying and shrill. Good point is that some songs of 'Kala' become really more and more catchy and admirable as they are listened to. According to me, it was the case for 'Hussel', 'Jimmy' and 'the Turn' for example.… Expand
  2. MCRR
    Jan 10, 2015
    5
    Some quirky dits and few off the beaten path kinda beats, but let's not get carried away here. Truth is the album is a little bit different, but let's face it, MIA ain't a rapper and would come up stumps against a lot of unsigned wannabes recording tunes out of their bedrooms.
    The album has a lot of filler and not a great deal of thriller. Some of the material sounds down right    Some quirky dits and few off the beaten path kinda beats, but let's not get carried away here. Truth is the album is a little bit different, but let's face it, MIA ain't a rapper and would come up stumps against a lot of unsigned wannabes recording tunes out of their bedrooms.
    The album has a lot of filler and not a great deal of thriller. Some of the material sounds down right pretentious, somewhat arty-farty, and simply not good enough for commercial album release. However, the album has received somewhat critical acclaim and compares favourably to a number of releases in similar genres across the board.
    MIA does offer that mishmash of experimental sounds, world music appeal and some catchy pop numbers, but it just seems all a bit, dare I say pretend.
    At best an above average album.
    Thank you please    … Expand
  3. eshefster
    Aug 30, 2012
    6
    (6/10)Beats are infectious, however M.I.A relies to heavily on her beats to try to carry all of the musicality of the album. Even then, the beats only shimmer on a few of the songs as the beats start to sound repetitive as the album continues. There are a few golden spots in the album with songs like; Jimmy, 20 Dollar and obviously Paper Planes. Paper Planes helps the album to shine as it(6/10)Beats are infectious, however M.I.A relies to heavily on her beats to try to carry all of the musicality of the album. Even then, the beats only shimmer on a few of the songs as the beats start to sound repetitive as the album continues. There are a few golden spots in the album with songs like; Jimmy, 20 Dollar and obviously Paper Planes. Paper Planes helps the album to shine as it shows off what we would have liked to see from M.I.A for the entire album. Definitely a song to listen to over and over again. I have never wanted to rob a bank more in my entire life. In all the album is definitely an impressive cross into genres we didn't know existed, but I didn't necessarily need her genre in my life.… Expand
  4. JoseH
    Apr 13, 2008
    6
    Too inconsistent to be rated more highly. Songs very from great to pretty bad - no song is as good as it might be. Original and catchy, sure, but great?
  5. Gman
    Sep 13, 2007
    6
    I tried, I really did. After all the rave reviews of both this and Arular, I thought M.I.A must be worth checking out. The simple fact is there really is nothing special about either the music or her (occasionally irritating) lyrics and delivery. It's certainly not bad, and it's quite bouncy and fun at times but compared to albums by geniunely innovative artists (Dizzy or I tried, I really did. After all the rave reviews of both this and Arular, I thought M.I.A must be worth checking out. The simple fact is there really is nothing special about either the music or her (occasionally irritating) lyrics and delivery. It's certainly not bad, and it's quite bouncy and fun at times but compared to albums by geniunely innovative artists (Dizzy or Cadence Weapon for example) Kala just sounds a bit silly. You can imagine 12 year olds playing this on their mobile phones on the top deck of a number 55 in order to annoy 'old people'. The problem is, it's annoying for all the wrong reasons. Not annoying in a Grime or Punk Rock way, but annoying in a Cheeky Girls or Kylie doing 'Locomotion' kind of way! I seriously wonder if all the attention she's been getting is actually down to the fact that she's a "Hot Asian Babe." One really hopes that the supposedly intelligent music press is not that shallow and sexist in 2007 but maybe that's the case because that's would undoubtedly be the last thing someone like M.I.A. would would want.… Expand
  6. RickW
    Sep 3, 2007
    6
    A few good tracks but tottally overated.
  7. 1fastdog
    Aug 30, 2007
    5
    The most over-rated and over-hyped record since that crappy Joanna Newsome album from last year. Sorry folks, but this is a mediocre album at best. For all the high praise given to this album's beats and sonic experimentalism, it's a strangely flat album and is sadly bereft of both energy and hooks. Bamboo Banga makes for a disappointing 1st track; it's crying out for some The most over-rated and over-hyped record since that crappy Joanna Newsome album from last year. Sorry folks, but this is a mediocre album at best. For all the high praise given to this album's beats and sonic experimentalism, it's a strangely flat album and is sadly bereft of both energy and hooks. Bamboo Banga makes for a disappointing 1st track; it's crying out for some fire, but, sadly, never gets any, relying instead on an ultra-repetitive beat that is almost dead on arrival - the lyrics match the beat: ultra-repetitive and ultimately boring. The rest of the album veers from the horrible (Hussel, Mango Pickle Down River), to the very interesting (Jimmy), to the brilliant (Paper Planes). In short, it's a scattershot listening experience in which a few really bad songs are counterbalanced by a few really good ones with everything else strongly in the "meh" category - hence the 5 rating. A good album for the hard core fans, but a Caveat emptor for everyone else...… Expand
  8. mikes.
    Aug 19, 2007
    5
    this is a characteristic sophmore slump from an artist that has such a stellar debut. One of the most hyped artist since the debut, a new star, waiting to be cast into the mainstream spotlight. However, with this release, it is obvious that the production on this album is too experimental with it's lo-fi effect on the vocals and melodies that are just not catchy and rather this is a characteristic sophmore slump from an artist that has such a stellar debut. One of the most hyped artist since the debut, a new star, waiting to be cast into the mainstream spotlight. However, with this release, it is obvious that the production on this album is too experimental with it's lo-fi effect on the vocals and melodies that are just not catchy and rather repetitive. One good production choice is the use of ethnic beats and arrangements which gives m.i.a. a chance as a world pop artist rather than being successful in just america and europe. Her lyrics aren't quite up to par as it seems she is trying too hard to sound important and different. Album lacks the fun factor of her previous effort and feels more artsy in a bad way. The songs are just not catchy. Not quite the mainstream release that i was hoping for after the outstanding debut this release is unfocused and boring.… Expand

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 »