M.I.A.’s ///Y/ is a good album. I disagreed with the reception it received, and was tired of reading the same tired complaints reworded slightly in reviews and comments, so I scribbled 8 Reasons Why ///Y/ Is Better Than You Remember. It’s understood people have different tastes, that reviews are just opinions, but blind conse...

The Specials, who recently reunited, backed up M.I.A. on “It Takes A Muscle.” It’s one of the more melodic tracks on ///Y/ and was produced by Diplo. M.I.A.’s reggae-flavored version of the Spectral Display track works for the Specials — though, as Diplo often points out, singing doesn’...

M.I.A.’s not afraid to purchase URLs or to continue releasing new material in the face of ill-founded backlash. Here’s another weirdo gem ostensibly called “Bedroom To The Hallway To The Road To The World,” a title that comes off like amped Beckett stage directions. The backdrop is skeletal, bass-y with al...

Nearly every blog comment or review said 19-year-old Rye Rye stole the show at HARD NYC back in July. It was a welcome return after Rye Rye was quiet for a bit, and her in-the-works debut album, Go! Pop! Bang! was delayed (for good reason — she had a baby girl in late 2009). So [...]

Last week another collaboration (“S.U.S. (Save Ur Soul)” is another) from Blaqstarr and M.I.A. hit the web. And it looks like M.I.A. bought another single serving URL to host the track herself. Check out “Lemme Hump You” (and the animated dancers) at http://www.ithinkyoumightgetshitforthat.com/. Better tha...