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. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 26, 2022
    8
    8.8/10
    M.I.A emerged with a fully formed original kaleidoscopic sounds but on her follow up she ups the ante. Named afrer her mother fittingly as it explores the challenge of trauma and assimilation for refugees. It's a difficult yet accessible record that sounds like the result of hip hop coming in contact with diffrent cultures and genres. To attach a genre to this would be reductive    8.8/10
    M.I.A emerged with a fully formed original kaleidoscopic sounds but on her follow up she ups the ante. Named afrer her mother fittingly as it explores the challenge of trauma and assimilation for refugees. It's a difficult yet accessible record that sounds like the result of hip hop coming in contact with diffrent cultures and genres. To attach a genre to this would be reductive as it doesn't confine itself to one. Going from the dizzying opener "bamboo banger" that reverberates with a fierce swagger to the Tamil inspired "bird flu" & "jimmy" which include samples and urumee drum. When it searches deeper into her cultural background the records heart is unearthed. The deceptively jovial "boyz" is a weary remuneration of the demands placed on her as a woman for:having to prive herself to men despite her talent It's hard to convey just how fresh this sound was and still is. It erupted with purpose and ego not caring if you listened leaving a blue print for much of modern day experimental artists such as Deathgrips,tune-yards or Jpegmafia.

    A fascinating layer to this record strength is it's searing indictments such as on the breathtaking industrial "20dollars" which critiques the ignorance of the 1st world of the consequence of capitalism. Its moments like this and "paper plane" that cement this record as a must hear protest record . Even years later a record hasn't achieved what M.I.A did on her two parent records.    … Expand
  2. 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
  3. yessv
    Sep 8, 2016
    10
    Meu 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
  4. KevLonelyHeart
    Mar 5, 2015
    10
    Kala 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.
  5. 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
  6. MrMusic
    Dec 15, 2014
    10
    This 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.
  7. Gzbernini
    Dec 6, 2013
    8
    This 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.
  8. gabrielzbernini
    Sep 29, 2013
    10
    This 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
  9. BWETMatangi
    Aug 12, 2013
    9
    M.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.
  10. SebastianRR
    May 21, 2013
    10
    This 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.
  11. Marucosan
    May 6, 2013
    10
    I'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.
  12. gabrielpuche
    Apr 26, 2013
    9
    I 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
  13. 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
  14. InvisibleM
    Jul 22, 2012
    10
    Kala is a simply fantastic album. Listening to this album makes you feel like your on a journey from Sri Lanka over India and Jamaica to Africa and back again. And the best thing is, this journey is not some kind of tourism journey, it's highly political and while listening to songs like Boyz, Hussel, Mango Pickle Down River, 20 Dollar and World Town you start thinking about the deeperKala is a simply fantastic album. Listening to this album makes you feel like your on a journey from Sri Lanka over India and Jamaica to Africa and back again. And the best thing is, this journey is not some kind of tourism journey, it's highly political and while listening to songs like Boyz, Hussel, Mango Pickle Down River, 20 Dollar and World Town you start thinking about the deeper political & social meaning of the songs and this clearly shows the genius of M.I.A.… Expand
  15. cloudxchamber
    May 20, 2012
    10
    M.I.A.'s world-flavoured second album, even more so than her equally diverse debut, is a rare thing: a set of twelve intricate songs that draw their influences from all areas of life and still manage to sound overall consistent, listenable, and ultimately, fun. There are definite standout moments, including the apocalyptic noise beat of "Bird Flu," the ecstatic pop overload of BollywoodM.I.A.'s world-flavoured second album, even more so than her equally diverse debut, is a rare thing: a set of twelve intricate songs that draw their influences from all areas of life and still manage to sound overall consistent, listenable, and ultimately, fun. There are definite standout moments, including the apocalyptic noise beat of "Bird Flu," the ecstatic pop overload of Bollywood cover "Jimmy," the adorable kids' rap verses on "Mango Pickle Down River" and, of course, "Paper Planes," but from swaggering opener "Bamboo Banga" to the last echoes of Timbaland's voice on "Come Around," it maintains a fantastic standard, constantly full of the sort of levels of colour and energy that only the greatest pop music can hope to reach.… Expand
  16. no1onthecorner
    May 6, 2012
    10
    A 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.
  17. NickDiazfan
    Apr 19, 2012
    10
    One of the greatest albums you will ever hear! I remember being slowly seduced ( I didn't like it at first) by paper planes, and thinking to myself, this is **** genius! This album is a shot of energy. Great african vibe. The people who hate on mia or this album are usually fat slobs who can't dance, they can't stomach maya's unique delivery. This is album is addictive! I have beenOne of the greatest albums you will ever hear! I remember being slowly seduced ( I didn't like it at first) by paper planes, and thinking to myself, this is **** genius! This album is a shot of energy. Great african vibe. The people who hate on mia or this album are usually fat slobs who can't dance, they can't stomach maya's unique delivery. This is album is addictive! I have been listening to it for four years straight!!!! MASTERPIECE!!!!… Expand
  18. MattMintage
    Jan 5, 2012
    9
    I don't care what kind of taste in music you have, if you give Kala a chance you will LOVE how epic the beats are, and how well woven they are mixed with political and social commentary only seen outside on the sidewalks where people picket with sings ans such. All M.I.A. needs is a mic and some notes and she can hammer out some politics as well as make us bump and grind with her swayI don't care what kind of taste in music you have, if you give Kala a chance you will LOVE how epic the beats are, and how well woven they are mixed with political and social commentary only seen outside on the sidewalks where people picket with sings ans such. All M.I.A. needs is a mic and some notes and she can hammer out some politics as well as make us bump and grind with her sway about her. It's rare I enjoy an entire album, but for this one, I did very much, and I'm glad it came into my life!… Expand
  19. hydrawithears
    Oct 3, 2011
    8
    The 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
  20. 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
  21. JohnA.
    Jan 5, 2009
    7
    Gorgeous.
  22. JohnnyFlow
    Sep 7, 2008
    10
    This is a fantastic album and a true original, big upgrade over the impressive Arular. But I understand how M.I.A.'s music can divide people. It's definitely a love-it-or-hate-it sound. I will also concede that she is a weak M.C. and downright awful live performer. She is purely an album artist and an interesting person to interview. But damn, what a record... just don't This is a fantastic album and a true original, big upgrade over the impressive Arular. But I understand how M.I.A.'s music can divide people. It's definitely a love-it-or-hate-it sound. I will also concede that she is a weak M.C. and downright awful live performer. She is purely an album artist and an interesting person to interview. But damn, what a record... just don't expect to hear specific genre, expect to hear something totally different.… Expand
  23. JoobyDooby
    Aug 15, 2008
    10
    Perfect album.
  24. MiloszD.
    Jul 30, 2008
    2
    I agree that this is overhyped. There *is* a big mix of styles, but that in itself doesn't really mean the album is great, even though some reviewers seem to have based it purely on this notion. It is like Vibe says unfocused, there's no poignancy and it ends up being something in between annoying and dull. 2 Points and that's even with some good will.
  25. PaulaK.
    Jul 4, 2008
    10
    Crazy.Cool.Hot.Nice..
  26. Daveh
    Jun 29, 2008
    9
    Pretty 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!
  27. Kumuthanx
    Jun 11, 2008
    10
    MIA is excellent! talented. a genius. her music is like abstract art. only some of you will "get it".
  28. MattC.
    Apr 15, 2008
    1
    Pure tripe.
  29. 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?
  30. SophiaF.
    Apr 9, 2008
    10
    I 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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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 »