///Y/
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 56
  3. Negative: 11 out of 56

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  1. CurtisB
    Jul 13, 2010
    8
    Not as good as her first, but better than her last.
  2. VincentD
    Jul 13, 2010
    10
    An extremely rich album that shows M.I.A. is willing to take risks with her music. This isn't the album we wanted to see from her but she pulls it off so well that you can't help but fall in love with it anyways. Every song is distinctly MIA and her "message" is more approachable now than ever.
  3. RachelC
    Jul 14, 2010
    10
    Amazing album from an amazing artist.
  4. 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 executed by the songs' lyrics and construction.
  5. PSzaraz
    Jul 13, 2010
    8
    Listen to few times and you may appreciate Maya, listen to the 4 bonus tracks they're brilliant.
  6. AllanE
    Jul 14, 2010
    8
    I got to see them live and they put on a good show.
  7. HumbertoB
    Jul 14, 2010
    10
    M.I.A. got something to say, and she's not kidding. Great productions, great lyrics, brilliant album.
  8. Andre
    Jul 14, 2010
    10
    An excellent record, almost as good as "Kala" and "Arular"! Awesome hip-hop beats influenced by electronic music, dance. trip-hop and industrial + excellent lyrics. Standout tracks are "Steppin' Up", "XXXO", "Lovalot", "Story To Be Told", "It Iz What It Iz", "Born Free" and "Meds And Feds".
  9. 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 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.
  10. HerbleB
    Jul 15, 2010
    8
    Main thing I enjoyed about this was the dubstep.
  11. SamA
    Jul 13, 2010
    8
    Not her best album but in time will be appreciated by others. Not saying MAYA is ahead of it's time either but some critics (Pitchfork, Stereogum, and EW) make it seem like the album is s*** when it is actually a pretty nice album.
  12. SillyBoy
    Jul 13, 2010
    10
    Album is great, especially the track "Lovalot". Now that she has tested all waters, I can't wait to see what she comes out with next!!
  13. JosephA
    Jul 15, 2010
    8
    Really cool, eclectic, and original album (not surprisingly).

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Most Discussed Album of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
  1. BBC Music
    80
    Striding through metal, dancehall, space pop and dubstep, our multicultural mascot has littered ///Y/ with politicized sonic motifs: from marching drums, gunshots and modems to heavy machinery and blaring sirens. It's loud, proud, and taking no prisoners.
    Read full review
  2. Clash Music
    90
    M.I.A. stands alone in her own world of pop firing out her mercurial messages, which are as complex as they are captivating. ‘// / Y /’ is a towering work that makes a mockery of rivals and genres.
    Read full review
  3. Spin
    90
    Aside from "Lovealot," she proudly proclaims her intentions as a first-world pop star, de-emphasizing found collage and "third-world democracy" for melodic sway and punky bluster.
    Read full review
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