M.I.A. - XXXO

by Paul Waller

published: 12 / 8 / 2010

Label: Interscope Records
Format: CDS

intro

Outstanding rap-influenced new single the first off her new album, from M.I.A.

I can’t imagine the pressure that M.I.A. has been under to follow up her 'Kala LP'. With the new 'MAYA' record getting pretty much slagged by critics upon release I wasn’t that keen to investigate any further. Yet I relented and bought the album and would you believe it I can not stop listening. I am addicted. The thing is a beast of an album. My wife finds its abrasiveness ‘offensive’ to listen to and so instead of blasting it at home 'MAYA' has become my iPod buddy over the past couple of weeks and I can’t get enough. Which brings us to this, 'XXXO', her follow up to the controversial 'Born Free' single. This version includes a rap by Jay-Z in which he manages to rhyme 'XXXO' with metro sexual. I guess if someone has to he does. Now, ordinarily having a rap during a middle eight would make me turn off and throw said item in the bin, but here I use it as a companion piece to an already fantastic record. Yet Jay-z is riding M,IA,’s coat tails here, the song is addictive and ridiculously alive in the way Madonna was in 1983. I do not do urban or club music but I’d happily do this again and again. The best pop single all year by a massive mile or two.