Just play it a few more times than the fools who clocked dollars for the job and you'll get your money's worth. And I do mean on all 16 new songs‑-three of the four bonus tracks are upper 50th percentile for sure.
Although MAYA is an undeniable testament to M.I.A.'s inventiveness, the album is so jam-packed with beats that any statement that she is making gets lost in translation.
It may be an above-average album, but its aesthetic matches her persona only at its shallowest levels, in the thinness of its ideas and the often-forceful ugliness of its message.
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
Every time M.I.A returns, we all get excited about the new album. This time we can cry of joy because she brought us the best of alternative Hip-Hop and Electro music, and also the best of her. After almost a year of production, the result is very clear: all of us can see that this is the best Electro record of the year, if not the decadeâ…Expand
so ahead of it's time.... the fact that tons of industrial hip hop artists popped up after this record was released is so INSANE, EVERY TRACKso ahead of it's time.... the fact that tons of industrial hip hop artists popped up after this record was released is so INSANE, EVERY TRACK IS A BANGER…Expand
The best album of M.I.A., with smart lyrics and some of critic, MAYA resounded even to the government, and was released in a hard time ofThe best album of M.I.A., with smart lyrics and some of critic, MAYA resounded even to the government, and was released in a hard time of privacy on the web, something that is explained in this album…Expand
Very different to M.I.A's other works (Arular & Kala), and on that note, very different to any other album in particular. But '// / Y /' isVery different to M.I.A's other works (Arular & Kala), and on that note, very different to any other album in particular. But '// / Y /' is still a very interesting listen and a great album. Standouts include: "The Message", "Steppin Up", "XXXO", "Story to Be Told", "Born Free", "Meds & Feds", and "Internet Connection".…Expand
Top five album of the year. I really love this album. The songs are really great. M.i.a is an amazing artist I think more people should listenTop five album of the year. I really love this album. The songs are really great. M.i.a is an amazing artist I think more people should listen to her. A great Alt/dance alt/hip hop album. A Must buy album 10/10…Expand
MAYA is an internet fueled wonderland. MIA dishes the worldbeat sounds of Arular and Kala and creates a twisted and fantastic piece of workMAYA is an internet fueled wonderland. MIA dishes the worldbeat sounds of Arular and Kala and creates a twisted and fantastic piece of work that is MAYA. The album opens with the idea of government control on "The Message," then translastes into a powerdrill garage party in "Steppin Up." The middle of the album is even riskier than the beggining with MIA's pugnacious beats on "Lovalot," the reggae-inspired "It takes a muscle" and the rockish "Born Free". They say to leave the best for last, and MIA ends the album with tracks such as "internet connection" that catches the listener's attention. The production is to die for, and this is clearly the most underrated album of 2010. Good job, MIA.…Expand
This album is full of unbelievably boring, stale harmonies and meaningless, vague, droned lyrics devoid of human emotion. I'm astonished thatThis album is full of unbelievably boring, stale harmonies and meaningless, vague, droned lyrics devoid of human emotion. I'm astonished that something so poor could come from someone so talented as MIA. Alas, while performing at the Oya festival, she "threatened (according to Pitchfork)" that she would do XXXO, but for the fact that she would have to lip-synch it like a real pop song. Upon reading this, everything made sense to me: this is an album people are meant to hate. Congratulations, Maya, you have succeeded.…Expand