Arular

Artist: M.I.A.
Released: 2005

One of the dangers of politicking in pop music is its reductive nature (something I’ve already discussed in this post). A byproduct of this is the sloganeering that wends its way into the music. Pop is made for sloganeering – nothing works better for a chorus than an easily remembered phrase that can be repeated ad infinitum over four minutes. Unfortunately, slogans don’t provide for a thorough understanding of one’s subject, which, I suppose, is the beauty of the method. Politicians long ago realized the value of a catchphrase (“Tippecanoe & Tyler Too” anyone), and when you marry it to some strong imagery, you have a winning combination (just ask Mussolini). A band like Rage Against the Machine always seemed to inadvertently indulge in this sloganeering, in turn marring their sincere political beliefs.

Thanks to cultural and music critics, M.I.A. finds herself thrust into a very similar place in the music world. She has the background (her father’s a Tamil Tiger rebel in Sri Lanka), and about half of her songs are filled with revolutionary politics, which tend to crop up in titles like “Pull Up the People” or lyrics like “I’ve got the bombs that make you blow,” or “Thinking ‘bout where I come / It’s all this for revolution.” It seems to me, however, that this politicking is in fact secondary to the music itself. A mélange of synthetic beats, analog synths and various samples, Arular pulls from sources as diverse as reggaeton and drum & bass to concoct an alternative to American hip-hop. The production gives the album a “home-grown” feel that speaks to the DIY attitude and image of M.I.A. herself. Pseudo-uprisings never sounded this good.

I’m curious to see in what direction M.I.A.’s music moves. Beats become quickly antiquated in today’s hip hop/dance scene, and the rapid cannibalization of global sounds creates a small window for something like diwali or baille funk to sound truly fresh. Lyrically, it will be interesting to see her flesh out the themes that pop up throughout the album. Whatever the case, Arular stands as an important document of the cultural stew of music at the midpoint of this decade. If only Usher should be so inspired…