This is a first impression review of British Sri-Lankan rapper M.I.A.’s album “Matangi” at least, part of it, written in one sitting.
“Karmageddon”
The first track has an alright synth to start it off. So far it’s nothing crazy, and it’s not too interesting for an intro track. She’s humming and not doing much of anything. I usually expect MIA to do some bangerz since the only songs I like from her are “Born Free” and “Paper Planes.”
“Matangi”
Starts off with explosions like BOOOOOOOSH. I imagine myself dancing to this in some rave club in Dubai with snakes hissing at me while I footwork. She rhymed a bunch of countries, like Mexico and Morocco. I don’t know why, but a lot of people think I look like someone from the Middle East; they think Indian before Mexican.
I searched Matangi online, and apparently it’s like one of these tantric goddesses, and she’s considered the goddess of music. So this might be M.I.A.’s “Yeezus” then? I don’t know.
“Only 1 U”
C’mon M.I.A., give me something I can go bonkers to. I assume anything with the words “only,” “one” and “you” is a straight love ballad. I don’t know what else to expect. So far I’m feeling it. Her rapping is pretty dope, but I have no clue what she’s talking about. I love the energy, but I can’t see myself relating to this at all, which isn’t bad. I kind of wish she had other vocals helping her out, though. I guess it’s hard to enjoying this record while sitting.
“Warriors”
This beat goes IN, but I have no clue what she’s talking about. I kind of feel like M.I.A. is an abrasive Eastern version of Nicki Minaj. Is that fair to say? She says “M.I.A.” like five times and “put them in a trance” a bunch in this song. I’m just looking forward to the track featuring the Weeknd right now.
“Come Walk With Me”
Another song about love? Oh man, she’s singing? This sounds pretty catchy so far. I actually like her singing in this song. I think this is an actual love song though.
WTF. This turned into a dance song halfway through. I don’t know how to feel about this. It went from a coffee date with a girl at the Cage to a sleazy Legion dance. The line “tonight we actin’ like we don’t care” seems very Pause/club appropriate. This song is pretty dope. I think I wanna play this at my wedding. My wedding where my corgi Toki is my best man. Aww man that’d be dope. I could wear my suit then have a corgi backpack with LED lights over his suit too.
“Exodus”
Sounds all sexy and whatnot, but then again, The Weeknd is featured on this one. Yeah, this track is awesome, I love it. Abel from The Weeknd doesn’t even sing. I don’t know what his role was in this, though. Apparently Exodus is something to describe a migration of people and has super-biblical connotations. Then later she has the same song on the record but names it Sexodus. So what I’m getting is that she has awesome sex of biblical proportions? Whoa.
“Bad Girls”
THIS SONG IS PROBABLY DEDICATED TO INDEPENDENT WOMEN.
I CAN TRY TO RELATE. I MEAN, I’M A DUDE BUT I’M KIND OF INDEPENDENT. I PAID OFF MY CAR INSURANCE THE OTHER DAY AND PUMPED MY OWN GAS IN MY CAR. YAY INDEPENDENCE. SUCH A BAD GIRL I AM.
“Boom Skit”
She rhymed Instagram and pentagram. What? I kind of find it hard to relate to M.I.A.’s trash talking lyrics.
“Y.A.L.A.”
The song starts off with these fart trumpets, and she starts yelling “YOLO” and then rhymes it with “polo.” I’m beginning to realize that this is a record that caters to a dance audience. I could see this song playing at a club, or maybe the Pause.
“Bring The Noize”
Halfway into the song and, to be honest, I’m already sick of this record. Good thing I hit my word count. Final say is:
1.2/10
lopezh@stolaf.edu
