If you're expecting another "Boyz," or "Paper Planes" or "Galang" from M.I.A., you might have to wait a bit longer. The controversial, post-pop singer is on the verge of releasing a new album, /\/\/\Y/\, that's occasionally as hard to listen to as its album title -- the typographical equivalent of M.I.A.'s name -- is to pronounce.
Take, for example, "Teqkilla," co-produced by Major Lazer's DJ Switch. It's a cut-and-paste epic that builds, slowly and steadily, with layer upon layer of samples and digital squelches, with M.I.A. rap-singing while drowning in a digital bath.
Thrown into this mix is everyone's favorite Barbie, Nicki Minaj. The Young Money princess tells M.I.A. that the beat is on fire as she doles out a flow somewhere between drunk valley girl, dance hall queen and math nerd.
Pretty strange stuff for a song that seems to be about doing shots and going crazy. Of course with M.I.A., nothing is what it seems. Check out the song below.
+ Listen to M.I.A., featuring Nicki Minaj, "Teqkilla (Remix)" here.