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. RobertP
    Aug 21, 2007
    9
    Bloody amazing - the sound of multiculturalism and globalisation. Not so much of a clash of civilisations, more a breakdance
  2. dereka
    Aug 21, 2007
    9
    Hey 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.
  3. Derekm
    Aug 21, 2007
    9
    It is pretty awesome. There probably aren't any songs as infectiously badass as "Galang" or "Bucky Done Gun", but every single song is as good or better than "$10". (All of these are off of Arular.) The best cuts, IMO, are "World Town", "Hussel", and "Boyz". "World Town" is probably most similar to the old MIA sound, which makes sense because it is by Diplo. This album is highly It is pretty awesome. There probably aren't any songs as infectiously badass as "Galang" or "Bucky Done Gun", but every single song is as good or better than "$10". (All of these are off of Arular.) The best cuts, IMO, are "World Town", "Hussel", and "Boyz". "World Town" is probably most similar to the old MIA sound, which makes sense because it is by Diplo. This album is highly recommended for anyone who likes beats at all, probably not for people who like the current rap scene, and I am not sure how rock fans might like it.… Expand
  4. ErikH
    Aug 21, 2007
    3
    "Kala" wants to be a politically-charged hip-hop album with heavy dance influences. It ends up being a mostly forgettable album with a few highlights ("Mango Pickle Down" as a hip-hop song and "XR2" as a dance track). The Streets proved with "Original Pirate Material" that an incredibly unorthodox hip-hop delivery combined with a dance influence could produce surprisingly great results. "Kala" wants to be a politically-charged hip-hop album with heavy dance influences. It ends up being a mostly forgettable album with a few highlights ("Mango Pickle Down" as a hip-hop song and "XR2" as a dance track). The Streets proved with "Original Pirate Material" that an incredibly unorthodox hip-hop delivery combined with a dance influence could produce surprisingly great results. Perhaps it's because Mike Skinner knew his limitations and rather than trying to ignore them, played to them to create a sound that was all his own and kept things relatively simple and effective. M.I.A. only knows how to set everything to kill and because of going too-far too often, this album is a convoluted mess. I really don't understand how her music deserves the merits it receives. She's the Joanna Newsom of hip-hop.… Expand
  5. NM
    Aug 21, 2007
    10
    This 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.
  6. jeremyf
    Aug 21, 2007
    10
    This 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.
  7. briank
    Aug 21, 2007
    10
    Brilliant, furious, blazing and insanely cool! This album makes her last one sound like mainstream pop!
  8. 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"
  9. Ninjaw
    Aug 21, 2007
    10
    since when did fucking vibe count? album of the year.
  10. [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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  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. FelipeP.
    Aug 18, 2007
    10
    The album of the year, M.I.A. backs better than ever!
  16. 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.
  17. MJ88
    Aug 18, 2007
    10
    Stunning. Exciting. AWESOME.
  18. ChrisW.
    Aug 18, 2007
    10
    M.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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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 »