M.I.A. - Matangi

Maya is back with her fourth album, 'Matangi' - named for the Hindu Goddess of music. In multiple interviews she has described this record as a spiritual exploration, accompanied by multiple samples featuring saraswati veenas and Om mantras. True to her colors, she spits plenty of politically-charged lyrics, but leans more heavily on philosophy and spirituality (“If you only live once, why we keep doing the same shit?”) than in her previous albums. It's no smooth ride - some tracks abrasive and frenetic, some sweet, light, and bouncy, and many abruptly switching between moods. After all, M.I.A. wouldn't want us to get too comfortable. I'll need to have a few more listens before I can rank this one, but I'm really enjoying it in this moment.

M.I.A. - 'UNBREAK my Mixtape'

Matangi has blessed us with another track off her new album, set to drop on November 5th - the best half-birthday present yours truly could ask for.

UNBREAK my Mixtape includes some choice samples from Blur, Carly Simon, and Karen Dalton, and is labeled on her SoundCloud as 'lovers rock;' though the thing I have always enjoyed most about her music is the inability to be able to definitively categorize it. This one stays true to that notion, and will leave you wanting more of whatever it is she's got.

Rock on, jammerz and loverz. XXXO