Photo: Courtesy of Interscope Records.
When it comes to music leaks, some artists rush the official release, others speak out against the industry, while M.I.A. just releases more music for free. "Unbreak My Mixtape" is a departure from her usual mix of underground bangers and aggressive electronic tracks. Sampling Blur and Karen Dalton, M.I.A.'s "lover's rock break up song" is toned down, and hypnotic.
"Here's a mixtape that I made / So, let's take a break," she speak-sings over the minimal production. Whether she's commenting on Interscope Records delaying her already delayed Matangi album is up for debate, but this is M.I.A. after all, and she's never one to sit back, zip her lips, and ride out a controversy. And, if this is her white flag track, then so be it. It's not killing the hype surrounding her November release. In fact, it's heightening it.