Equally energizing and uplifting

British-born Sri Lankan rapper, M.I.A., just released her newest album, Mata. The album has a strong energy, with an eclectic mixture of musical elements and lyrical topics. M.I.A’s previous album, AIM, was released in 2016; this new release reminisces the themes of freedom and political awareness, with a similar musically minimalistic, yet powerful, style.

The first song “FIASOM” introduces the album with an energetic mix of vocals and drums. The second song, called “FIASOM, Pt. 2” continues the musical theme with lyrics: “Freedom is a state of mind / what you gonna do with mine.” The music integrates world sound samples with rap and a drum beat underneath. 

A little way through the album, the song “Energy” starts with a sample of a vocalist singing above rhythmic clapping, which soon dives into rap. M.I.A. mixes the sample into an ostinato which she then raps over. “Stand up, jump up, light up” are the lyrics of the hook, the rest of the lyrics evoking strong meaning presumably about feeling someone’s energy. 

“The One” lyrics contain small anecdotes regarding the singer presumably attending a protest and going to a club surrounded by a chorus that asks why someone is searching for “the one” when the singer is already that person for them. The music is slightly nostalgic with a hip hop beat layered underneath keyboards and M.I.A. rapping with a very musical echo effect distorting her voice as to create a thicker texture. 

“Popular” is about being surrounded by people who love them when one is feeling confident in themself. The lyrics: “love me like I love me/ suddenly it’s about me/ you want to be around me/ ‘cause I love myself/ I’m living my best life.” The music brings a great vibe of self confidence with horns played over a reggaeton beat. 

With a slightly more mellow mood, “Keep The Peace” is about being authentically peaceful. The music is on the happy, more light-hearted side, and evokes a hopeful feeling in the listener. Instrumentally, the music is made of electric guitar played over a beat and some sound effects, with rapping vocals. The beat is powerful and catchy, and the chord progression throughout the song is very nostalgic. 

The last song on the album is “Marigold.” This piece includes a very beautiful guitar section played underneath a chorus and M.I.A. singing about the world, when in a state of great turmoil, “[needing] a miracle.” The singer calls for people to cover the Earth in marigolds. 

This album is definitely a thought-provokingly deep one, presented with music that is not only catchy and danceable but also technically and musically great.