M.I.A. - XXXO, a review

I've been a fan of alternative/electronic artist M.I.A. for a long time - long before her breakthrough single "Paper Planes" which was featured on the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. Before the success of "Paper Planes" single (as well as it's mother album "Kala"), before the hip-hop heavyweights of the U.S. beckoned her over and long before her nomination for Grammy Record of the Year Award, I've been fascinated with M.I.A.'s music and art. Her three albums (2005's "Arular", 2007's "Kala" and 2010's "/\/\ /\ Y /\") have been must-haves in my vast record collection. Her "I don't give a shit" honesty in her lyrics and her industrial and heavy electronica, fused with tradtional music from Asia and Africa, has differentiated herself from her peers.

Her current single "XXXO" proves that despite the commercial and critical success of her past record, M.I.A. still will not conform, will not censor herself for the masses and will not create a "hit" single in order to gain further success.

"XXXO", although being arguably more commercial than her usual music, is still classic M.I.A. - yet still remaining completely fresh and new. The video, released only a few hours ago on her VEVO account, is a further testament to this. It's high-tech, modern and perfect for the digital age - yet M.I.A. cleverly fuses this with traditional Indian images.

Much of the video sees M.I.A. "framed" and boxed in, however she is never restricted. You want me be somebody who I'm really not? sings M.I.A. on the hook, and she shows the audience that she will never be someone she's really not - not for all the success in the world.

Check out the "XXXO" video below.