M.I.A. has released a new track, 'The One', with a new album ‘MATA’ to follow

M.I.A. has released a new track, 'The One'.

Produced by Rex Kudo and T-Minus, it comes alongside news of a new album, 'MATA'. Set for release via Island Records, it follows up on 2016's 'AIM'. There's no release date for the full-length yet.

Speaking to Zane Lowe' about the album, M.I.A. explains: "I was in a really happy place. And I know that it was the pandemic, and kind of everything was hitting the fan, but I’d got to a place that was really happy. I did want to make that nice, happy record.

"Then everyone’s like, “Why the hell did you make 'Maya'? That was such a depressing record.” In hindsight, it makes sense to people, but at the time everyone was like, “That’s the worst record in the world.” Now, I feel like, “Okay, well, you know that other record that everyone wanted? This is what it would’ve been.”

"I guess it is just about sticking to what you are and the truth. I think, at the end of the day, that is also what this record is about to me, is still trying to find truth. In a way, it’s kind of rebellious because everybody’s expecting me to put out that really havoc. Everyone’s expecting that, but it’s not, that’s not what it is. It’s about the battle of the ego versus you finding yourself and you finding the spiritual leader. Spirituality within, whatever form is given to you. I think that’s really interesting, when you think everything, you get challenged by the universe. And that happened to me. Really I’m just here to share that."