A second self-titled album is impossible unless one has two names, and fortunately Maya Arulpragasam, better known as M.I.A., has a second name to use. She continues her tradition of naming her albums after herself and her family members by using her first name, Mathangi, as inspiration for “Matangi,” her fourth album full of chaotic beats and strong lyrics.
M.I.A. comes in strong with “Matangi.” Powerful electronic beats and hyper lyrics fuel impactful songs. The Middle Eastern/Indian musical vibes make the electronic rap songs in this album more entertaining and catchy.
M.I.A.’s latest and greatest brings us strong tracks with Eastern tunes and bad girl flair. Some songs are of a slower rapping tempo, others have some intense rapping and spitting of lyrics and others are more chaotic and dance type of songs.
“Exodus (ft. The Weeknd)” is one of those slower songs. It has a steady hip hop backbeat and constant rapping. It also contains background vocals and slow sounds that make the song flow. This is all wrapped up by M.I.A.’s slow and rhythmic singing.
Another slow paced song is “Know It Ain’t Right,” this song has steady tapping in the background that almost sounds like heavy water drops. Meanwhile M.I.A.’s conversational-pace rapping lets the song flow and makes you want to start bobbing your head to the rhythm.
“Bring The Noize” is the most chaotic song in the album. It has M.I.A. spitting quick lyrics that make the song fly by. It also throws out various electronic beats at you, all adding to the chaotic level of the song. But even though it’s chaotic, it doesn’t fail to maintain a beat.
Double Bubble Trouble“” has the most intense beat of all. It is something you could steadily rock to but it also adds bursts of electronic music in between the rapping.
The best song of the album, “Bad Girls” has a steady drum beat and an Eastern sounding background. M.I.A. raps to the beat and this song seems to come together perfectly. It is very catchy and has been popular since its release as a single last year. All the elements in this song create a very clean-cut piece.
“Live fast, die young, bad girls do it well.” @MIAuniverse goes hard on Matangi. http://t.co/NESUOayeDo
— iTunes Music (@iTunesMusic) November 7, 2013
Overall, M.I.A.’s chaotic yet creative and catchy tracks are fun to listen to and they will get you dancing along and definately singing. “Matangi” has variety with slower rap songs, intense rap songs and noisy electric songs, these give the listener something different to experience in each song. Even though each song has its own flair, they are all connected by electronic beats and a mix of Eastern and Western music styles, and are catchy and so good they’re hard not to blast out of your speakers or headphones.
