M.I.A. – /\/\ /\ Y /\ (Maya) – Deluxe Edition (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

August 1, 2010 by Dennis Amith 

“/\/\ /\ Y /\” is a fantastic album and displays M.I.A.’s passion for creativity musically, collaborating with producers willing to try something new but more than anything, giving M.I.A. the space to do things her way – that is… whatever the f#ck she wants.   For those wanting and craving more “XXXO”-style of musical tracks, I’ll tell you right now… you’re not going to get it on this album. But for those open for creativity and experimentation will definitely enjoy what M.I.A. has bring to this latest album! Definitely recommended!

ARTIST: M.I.A.

ALBUM: /\/\ /\ Y /\ – Deluxe Edition

LABEL: N.E.E.T./XL/Interscope Records

RELEASE DATE: July 13, 2010

1. The Message
2. Steppin Up (Explicit)
3. XXXO
4. Teqkilla (Explicit)
5. Lovalot (Explicit)
6. Story To Be Told
7. It Takes a Muscle
8. It Iz What It Iz
9. Born Free
10. Meds and Feds (Explicit)
11. Tell Me Why
12. Space
13. Internet Connection
14. Illygirl
15. Believer (Explicit)
16. Caps Love (Explicit)

Upon the release of M.I.A.’s new album “/\/\ /\ Y /\ – Deluxe Edition”, I made a point to tune out any drama that was happening with this album.  May it be producer criticism, journalist or critic critiicsm towards the artist, if the past is used as a reference, call her controversial or call her extremely talented, I didn’t want it influencing my opinion of this album.

I just wanted to listen to these tracks and just see what M.I.A had in store this time around.

Her 2005 album “Arular” and 2007 album “Kala” were good albums but there was something about “/\/\ /\ Y /\”  that I enjoyed.  Mainly that I feel a sense of freedom when it came to the music and the production. In some way, I listened to this album and had a grin on my face because I enjoyed the album a lot and in some way, I sensed this middle finger going up and imagining Maya Arulpragasam with a grin and not giving a care about what anyone thinks.  If you love it, you love it and if you don’t, you don’t.

The song that attracted me to this album was not the addictive upbeat track “XXXO” which is burning through the radio waves worldwide right now but it was the psychadelic put-me-in-a-trance track “Story to Be Told”.   I heard the track playing on BBC Radio 1 and the experimentation that is going on through the background of the track was fantastic.  I couldn’t believe it was playing in the radio because many stations in the US wouldn’t touch it especially because of it’s unique musical style and I was really digging the track and the overall music but what M.I.A brought to this track with the vocals was well-done, unique, creative and all out enjoyable.  And sure enough, finding out that it was co-written by dubstep producer Rusko and Switch, made me clamoring for more.

Another track I enjoyed is “Teqkilla” by M.I.A., Rusko, Switch along with John Hill and Cherry Byron-Withers.  The track was really trippy with the digital slab of in-your-face sounds and M.I.A. jamming with the vocals,  to the reggae-style cover “It Takes a Muscle” (cover of Spectral Display’s “It Takes a Muscle to Fall in Love”) written by Michael Mulders  and Henri Overduin.

“Born Free” utilizing samples of “Ghost Rider” by Suicide was pretty cool and if anything, the lyrics to this song is the in-your-face M.I.A. style of lyrics that she is known for and then there is the electric guitar/beat-driven track “Meds and Feds” utilizing elements of “Treats” by Sleigh Bells.  Another track that I enjoyed was “Believer” featuring a collaboration with Blaqstarr.

I dig the experimentation on this album and was really digging how things turned out.  But I’m sure there are the fans who loved “Paper Airplanes” and are wondering if there are any commercial-sounding tracks that they can bop to and there are a few tracks on the album but one track will definitely catch the attention of listeners and that is the addictive “XXXO”.

The song written by Blaqstarr and Cherry Byron-Withers is currently receiving a lot of airplay on radio stations around the world and its an easy, accessible dance track and the fact that so many people are taking the track and remixing it and posting on YouTube is a testament of how the song has really caught on.  It’s an addictive song, very cool and easily accessible…but for those wondering if there are any other tracks like it on this album, the answer is no.

Overall, “/\/\ /\ Y /\” is a fantastic album and displays M.I.A.’s passion for creativity musically, collaborating with producers willing to try something new but more than anything, giving M.I.A. the space to do things her way – that is… whatever the fuck she wants.  I’m sure those who want more “XXXO” style of tracks or “Paper Airplanes” and bought the album for that style of music may feel disappointed that this album does not contain a lot of those commercial hit tracks.  That’s understandable.   But for those who enjoy music, the creativity of music that is not too commercial and in M.I.A.’s case, lyrics that is open to polemicizing but yet doing creatively, will enjoy the experimentation on “/\/\ /\ Y /\” and find it to be as one of the freshest albums to come out during the summer.