Kala

Did you think M.I.A. wouldn't be able to follow up her spectacular debut, Arular? From about two minutes into the album, all your fears will be dispelled. She has created an album that is so instantly identifiable as hers, but also refreshingly different. This time around, instead of the masculine rap vocals, M.I.A. turns to singing, and it works very well. Production by Switch and Diplo (and of course M.I.A. herself) keeps it interesting, their tracks make up most of the album and all of them are catchy to the point of being addictive. The two tracks produced by Blaqstarr and Timbaland ("The Turn" and "Come Around" respectively) are the only missteps on the album, and they're still not that bad. The standouts, "Paper Planes", "Bamboo Banga" and "20" make it worthwhile. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up, you won't be able to listen to anything else for at least a few weeks.