M.I.A.
/\/\ /\ Y /\ (MAYA)
XL Recordings (2010)
The hipsterati and the New York Times may have set their sights on MIA but, frankly, I don’t have the time to care what she eats during an interview. Besides, her music is largely a studio product anyway, which gives it an insulating layer from its creator’s personality. <i>Maya</i> is the Indo-British singer’s third record and her first since becoming a bona fide superstar with “Paper Planes.” The aftermath of a big hit, after all, is the big fall. So does Maya hold up to its predecessor Kala? More or less. While it’s lacking discernable singles, the consistency is far greater and MIA’s songcraft feels more confident in her approach. Mixing various world sounds has been her repertoire since Day One, but the blends are smoother here. The biggest difference is largely in production—after hitting number one, the studio opened the checkbook and it shows. Her singing is more confident than on previous records, and there’s a big 1980s production that gives it more of a pop art feel. Despite the negative press of late, she sticks with her common theme: pop culture with an underlayer of revolutionary flair. There’s also a diss track that, um, isn’t very good (see … Read more
The Bombpops
Like I Care
Red Scare (2010)
Hailing from San Diego, California, The Bombpops are a female fronted quartet and a force to be reckoned with. Their … Read more
The Thermals
Personal Life
Kill Rock Stars (2010)
It’s very rare that an album can be described as “charming.” However, it’s an appropriate way to describe indie-punk outfit … Read more
