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$M.I.A. - ‘MAYA’Published: Music Australia Guide #78, July 2010. M.I.A./\/\ /\ Y /\****1/2(XL/Remote Control) The abrasive, low bit-rate squall of the opening few minutes of M.I.A.’s third record /\/\ /\ Y /\ obliterates any hunch that motherhood – not to mention the runaway crossover success of 2007 hit single Paper Planes – may have tempered Maya Arulpragasam’s penchant for brazen provocation. Exploding out of the political affronts of opening skit The Message (“Hand bone connects to the internet connected to the Google connected to the Government” recites an eerily monotone male voice), Steppin Up writhes amid a tempest of chainsaws, power drills and industrial metal guitars. It says a lot about /\/\ /\ Y /. Indeed, this is far from the sound of an artist cashing in on recent chart success. While there are countless hues of light and shade here – the auto-tuned pop of XXXO and the narcotic, fogged-out groove of Lovalot included – it’s uncompromising moments like the propulsive dubstep signatures, plunging frequencies and gun shot snares of Story to be Told and lo-fi noise attacks of lead single Born Free (which features a choice sample of ‘70s New York noise savants Suicide) that characterise this challenging, intensely energised oeuvre. That said, perhaps the most uplifting track here is of an entirely different ilk. Framed by synthetic reggae-pop hook, It Takes a Muscle is the closest M.I.A. has ever ventured toward the ballad. We may know Arulpragasam as the urban music agitator, the daughter of the Tamil militant separatist, but this proves a stunning moment of emotional vulnerability amongst the bluster. DAN RULE$

M.I.A. - ‘MAYA’
Published: Music Australia Guide #78, July 2010.

M.I.A.
/\/\ /\ Y /\
****1/2
(XL/Remote Control)

The abrasive, low bit-rate squall of the opening few minutes of M.I.A.’s third record /\/\ /\ Y /\ obliterates any hunch that motherhood – not to mention the runaway crossover success of 2007 hit single Paper Planes – may have tempered Maya Arulpragasam’s penchant for brazen provocation. Exploding out of the political affronts of opening skit The Message (“Hand bone connects to the internet connected to the Google connected to the Government” recites an eerily monotone male voice), Steppin Up writhes amid a tempest of chainsaws, power drills and industrial metal guitars. It says a lot about /\/\ /\ Y /. Indeed, this is far from the sound of an artist cashing in on recent chart success. While there are countless hues of light and shade here – the auto-tuned pop of XXXO and the narcotic, fogged-out groove of Lovalot included – it’s uncompromising moments like the propulsive dubstep signatures, plunging frequencies and gun shot snares of Story to be Told and lo-fi noise attacks of lead single Born Free (which features a choice sample of ‘70s New York noise savants Suicide) that characterise this challenging, intensely energised oeuvre. That said, perhaps the most uplifting track here is of an entirely different ilk. Framed by synthetic reggae-pop hook, It Takes a Muscle is the closest M.I.A. has ever ventured toward the ballad. We may know Arulpragasam as the urban music agitator, the daughter of the Tamil militant separatist, but this proves a stunning moment of emotional vulnerability amongst the bluster.

DAN RULE

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