While M.I.A.’s music hasn’t really landed for me in the last couple of years, she still tackles subject matter that most do not.
‘Borders’ is more pertinent than most, addressing the current refugee crisis. Lyrically, M.I.A.’s list of things – borders, politics, the privileged, boat people, the new world; followed by “What’s up with that?” feels like a conversation starter, the video directed by M.I.A.) itself is powerful, stylistically showing people climbing gates and fences, on boats and in its most memorable visual, forming a human ship.
The song is from M.I.A.’s fifth studio album AIM, forthcomingon Interscope Records. M.I.A. released “Broader Than A Border” earlier this year.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
