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///Y/
///Y/ Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

  • Summary: Sri Lankan-born, UK-based rapper releases her third album of eclectic, bold beats featuring production by Blaqstarr, Switch, and Diplo.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
  1. The Boston Phoenix
    100
    Anyone digging into Maya (or // / Y /, as it's being promoted) expecting club-banging pop hits will be . . . not disappointed, but definitely confused.
  2. musicOMH.com
    90
    It's less digestible but it's tauter, more metallic and yes, industrial.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    80
    As long as her music remains as bold, inventive and occasionally thrilling as it is here, long may that continue.
  4. Dot Music
    70
    She might be mouthy, trendy, shallow and opinionated without having all of the facts, but MIA creates terrific pop moments.
  5. Billboard.com
    62
    Although // / Y / is an undeniable testament to M.I.A.'s inventiveness, the album is so jam-packed with beats that any statement that she is making gets lost in translation.
  6. AllMusic
    60
    There are moments during MAYA when it seems like M.I.A.'s next move might involve walking into a laundromat, filling the dryers with bricks and silverware, pulling the fire alarm, blaring a drop-forge beat from a tinny boombox, and recording the result.
  7. cokemachineglow
    35
    // / Y /, M.I.A.’s third and so obviously worst album, is the sound of a devoted audience getting f***ed over by a musical sociopath.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
  1. DonovonS
    Jul 14, 2010
    10
    Noisy, but not self-indulgent, M.I.A.'s third disc is nothing short of a miracle in this age of labor-saving technology - which is what Noisy, but not self-indulgent, M.I.A.'s third disc is nothing short of a miracle in this age of labor-saving technology - which is what this album is exactly about, blurring the line between music and politics. Basically, "Kala" is the beauty, "MAYA" is the beast, and it will not tone itself down for you.… Expand
  2. KalenR
    Jul 13, 2010
    10
    This album is just as amazing as Arular and Kala except i love how much more passionate this album is. The concept is brilliant and is well This album is just as amazing as Arular and Kala except i love how much more passionate this album is. The concept is brilliant and is well executed by the songs' lyrics and construction.… Collapse
  4. HumbertoB
    Jul 14, 2010
    10
    M.I.A. got something to say, and she's not kidding. Great productions, great lyrics, brilliant album.
  5. CurtisB
    Jul 13, 2010
    8
    Not as good as her first, but better than her last.
  6. AllanE
    Jul 14, 2010
    8
    I got to see them live and they put on a good show.
  7. blobby
    Jul 13, 2010
    5
    Theres great work in here. it just sounds like someone pissed all over it when it was only half finished. i imagine its MIAs way of putting Theres great work in here. it just sounds like someone pissed all over it when it was only half finished. i imagine its MIAs way of putting herself in an unpopular position so she can climb up from that. theres 4 or 5 tracks that could have been the bones for a classic but she decided to throw everything in, ugly and often depressing as it may be.… Expand
  8. BobN
    Jul 16, 2010
    0
    Horrid, dull, non-inspired noise. I could take an old keyboard and throw it down a staircase and produce better sounding songs. Save your Horrid, dull, non-inspired noise. I could take an old keyboard and throw it down a staircase and produce better sounding songs. Save your money folks, this album is not even worth a free listen on the radio let alone a full purchase. Epic Fail… Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Most Discussed Album of 2010

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