Arular
by M.I.A.
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 326 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 277 out of 326
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 326
  3. Negative: 33 out of 326

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  1. Reeeth
    Jan 30, 2012
    10
    It's a swaggering, spitting, utterly contemporary album of politically dissident, sexually forthright Anglo-Sri Lankan dubstep bhangra hip-pop IDM in which M.I.A. stars as protagonist, antagonist, chanteuse, MC, exotic schoolgirl tease, graphic artist, chastiser of the immoral, and fun-loving London-living party girl. And all in under 40 minutes, too. It's special. We've not heard it'sIt's a swaggering, spitting, utterly contemporary album of politically dissident, sexually forthright Anglo-Sri Lankan dubstep bhangra hip-pop IDM in which M.I.A. stars as protagonist, antagonist, chanteuse, MC, exotic schoolgirl tease, graphic artist, chastiser of the immoral, and fun-loving London-living party girl. And all in under 40 minutes, too. It's special. We've not heard it's like before.… Expand
  2. joerizkallah
    Mar 28, 2012
    10
    Astounding. Still epic 7 years later. M.I.A. is talented. And creative as hell. Love the lyrics.
  3. gabrielpuche
    Jun 8, 2013
    9
    The story behind MIA's "Arular" is uniquely twisted and interesting. The name "Arular" comes from MIA's father's political code during his involvement in the Tamil Tigers. M.I.A named the album after her father because she considered that her father might Google his name, find out about the album, and re-establish contact with her; a strategy which worked.
    The album is divided into three    The story behind MIA's "Arular" is uniquely twisted and interesting. The name "Arular" comes from MIA's father's political code during his involvement in the Tamil Tigers. M.I.A named the album after her father because she considered that her father might Google his name, find out about the album, and re-establish contact with her; a strategy which worked.
    The album is divided into three sections: The Banana Skit Songs, The Dash the Curry Songs, and The One For The Head Songs. Banana Skit serves as the intro to the first part of the album, and then sends you to "Pull up the People," which contains screams, shouts, and awesome beats. Then come "Bucky Done Gun" which has trumpets and samples "Gonna Fly Now" by Bill Conti, "Sunshowers" which has indian-inspired vocals and lyrics, and "Fire, Fire" which shows us MIA's sassy side.
    The second half of the album starts with "Dash the Curry Skit" and interludes towards "Amazon" which has a tarzan-inspired jungle sound to it, "Bingo" the reggae flava of the album, and "Hombre," in which MIA's sexy espanol comes alive.
    The third and last part of the album starts with "One for the head skit" and then "10 Dollar" starts, which is one of the best songs of the album, as it is super catchy. "Hey, hey,hey oh oh" states MIA as she asks "What can i get for 10 dollar?,." URAQT contains hilarious lyrics and a good sample, and "Galang" murders the rest of the album with its out-of this-world production. Overall one of the best political albums of all time and 95% of the album is not worth skipping on. I give it an A-    … Expand
  4. Gzbernini
    Dec 6, 2013
    10
    Perfect! All of the songs are mind-blowing with a lot of hidden political messages. I love all the tracks, but its highlights are Amazon, U.R.A.Q.T., Bucky Done Gun (an amazing track which samples funk carioca!) & Bingo. Too bad that Arular failed to achieve commercial success, I wish it was released on the 90s so it would have sold a lot.
  5. BWETMatangi
    Aug 14, 2013
    9
    I love me some M.I.A. She is creative, and controversial, and a really good singer/rapper. Even though it isn't my favorite M.I.A. album, it is still up there.
  6. gabrielzbernini
    Sep 29, 2013
    10
    P-E-R-F-E-C-T. Only M.I.A. could sing about children prostitution over dance-pop beats. Every song on the album is a highlight:

    Pull Up The People 5/5 Bucky Done Gun 5/5 Fire Fire 5/5 Amazon 5/5 Bingo 5/5 Hombre 5/5 10 Dollar 5/5 Sunshowers 5/5 Galang    P-E-R-F-E-C-T. Only M.I.A. could sing about children prostitution over dance-pop beats. Every song on the album is a highlight:

    Pull Up The People 5/5
    Bucky Done Gun 5/5
    Fire Fire 5/5
    Amazon 5/5
    Bingo 5/5
    Hombre 5/5
    10 Dollar 5/5
    Sunshowers 5/5
    Galang 5/5
    Hidden track 5/5    … Expand
  7. KevLonelyHeart
    Oct 14, 2014
    10
    PERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECTPERFECT album. I LOVE M.I.A.
  8. WeeLass
    Sep 10, 2016
    8
    Well, I admit this was taking me like 11 years till I found this album, and gosh, it was such a mistake or maybe a good thing. You decide. I'm gonna go listen some more of this, cause it's f****n great!!
  9. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 26, 2022
    7
    A rough ride through a peculiar war torn soundscape . Seemingly scattered as it is equally immaculately curated this testament of creativity didn't only push boundaries it inspired an inimitable post-rap rap that thrives in the marginal such as so called world music and hard edged industrial beats. Some songs are laced with an upbeat sensuality such as "10 dollar " which explores whatA rough ride through a peculiar war torn soundscape . Seemingly scattered as it is equally immaculately curated this testament of creativity didn't only push boundaries it inspired an inimitable post-rap rap that thrives in the marginal such as so called world music and hard edged industrial beats. Some songs are laced with an upbeat sensuality such as "10 dollar " which explores what money costs us through a story of prostitution (on kala she would return to this theme with greater costs in "20dollars). This album is essential listening due to how it challenges the listener and finds continuous ways to keep you intrested. You won't forget the first time you hear it .… Expand
  10. rraaiii
    Jan 11, 2020
    10
    Album of millennium, she show us how to be brave, and take the weakness to make something really good n’ special. I’ll always be thankful to be blessed with this piece of art. Thank you Matangi.
  11. kricketsandblue
    Apr 12, 2021
    10
    Incredibly underrated artist, she should get more recognition than these boring new female "rappers" who can only rap about materialism and themselves as if they were Gods or something
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Album of 2005
19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2005
8
#8 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Urb
    80
    M.I.A.'s singsong cadence is both child-like and streetwise, perfectly mirroring the smiley-faced menace of the electro-informed palpitations behind her. [Mar 2005, p.113]
  2. Village Voice
    80
    Not for a moment does the violence seem vindictive, sadistic, or pleasurable. It's a fact of life to be triumphed over, with beats and tunelets stolen or remembered or willed into existence.
    Read full review
  3. Austin Chronicle
    89
    Fortifying her monstrous singles "Galang" and "Sunshowers" with further molten munitions, Arular is primed for worldwide insurrection.
    Read full review
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