Hey!
I’m the other person who talks between songs on Radio Limnology (returning in September!), Ezra. I’m gonna post here now too. For my first post I figured I’d tell you about something you probably already know about, just to really bring it home. If you don’t already know, you should read the New York Times magazine from last Sunday, follow M.I.A. on twitter, or get some friends.
M.I.A.’s new album is dropping in just over a month (July 13). In a true homage to coolness and postverbal communication, it is called “/ \ / \ / \ Y / \” That’s some slashes and a “y,” folks. It’s supposed to be a “stylized representation” of “Maya,” which is M.I.A.’s real name, but really it just looks like nothing. But looking like nothing is what being übercool is all about! (Example: invisible people, the coolest people.)
So far, M.I.A. has released three tracks from the album, including the already infamous “Born Free,” which features almost no music or words, and a music video featuring a nine-minute graphic ginger-killing rampage. If you don’t like red headed boys and you do like watching people die/explode, then it’s for you. If not, welcome to the kingdom of nice-personhood. The most recent track she’s released is called “I’m a Singer” and features okay political rapping and not great singing. Thanks for that one, / \ / \ / \ Y / \.
The most good track so far is “XXXO,” which has a lot going on but seems like progress from her previous work and isn’t annoying/scary/offensive/poorly executed. It’s a little edgy (the chorus is “you want me be somebody who I’m really not,” thanks for teaching our kids about how be somebody who is really not a grammarian), and a lot electro-pop, but it works and even has a Quentin Tarrantino shoutout! What’s not to like?
XXXO-M.I.A.
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