NEW M.I.A ALBUM

Despite her current ubiquity I’m still a big fan of M.I.A, and her last album, 2007’s Kala, is a pretty great record. Not only does it feature some genuine pop moments in Boyz, Jimmy, and the ridiculously overplayed Paper Planes, it also contains some much more interesting and diverse sounds such as the baile-funk of Bird Flu and the rapping Aborigine children on Mango Pickle Down River.

So it’s good to know that a new album isn’t far off. According to an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the follow up to Kala should be out this summer. In a quote which will make her many detractors laugh bitterly, M.I.A has stated that she doesn’t want it “to be gimmicky or silly or hipstery”. Whatever she releases it’s unlikely to win round the haters, but for those who like innovative, intelligent pop music this can only be good news. Roll on summer.

Jed. x