#421 M.I.A., 'Arular' (2005)

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This album is not so much about the music as it is about what the lyrics are saying. Inspired by the music she used to listen to growing up in the UK, ‘Arular’ is a mix of hip hop, grime, ragga and electronic. It’s quite a confronting record. Named after the political code name employed by M.I.A.’s father, a Tamil activist and revolutionary. M.I.A. decide to make this album as, in her opinion, people found it hard to dance to political songs. Her solution; produce music that sounded like pop but addressed political issues.

Produced by Diplo, amongst others, my favourite songs were ‘Bucky Done Gun’ and ‘Sunshowers.’ An interesting record, although wouldn’t be in my favourite albums of all time. Confronting and harsh, although danceable.

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