Maya Arulpragasam's life story provided a rich backdrop to her first album, 2005's "Arular." London-born, raised between Sri Lanka and India, with a revolutionary/intellectual father, she went from art school to making beats with encouragement from Elastica and Peaches.

Tracks like "Bucky Done Gun" drew on the experience of London's immigrant communities and war-torn Sri Lanka with streetwise 'tude. "Arular" and a mixtape with Philly DJ Diplo, "Piracy Funds Terrorism," established the singer as a hyper-intelligent, politically aware culture mixer, who could set parties aflame on multiple continents.

The West Londoner's U.S. visa issues forced her to ramble more than she planned for the follow-up. "Kala," named for her mother, was culled from sessions in India, Australia, Trinidad, Jamaica and Japan. She managed to do "The Turn" with Baltimore producer Blaqstarr, and Timbaland shows up at the end of the disc. The album's standout tracks, however, feature percussion from locals she met in Chennai, India. "Bird Flu," which M.I.A. released as an incredible video long before the album was ready, is a stunning cycle of rhythms. With help from producer Switch, who stitched much of "Kala" together, she uses the Indian drumming to full advantage on the amazing, hip-hop/soca-influenced "Boyz." It's not all fun and games: M.I.A. wonders "how many boys are crazy, how many start a war?"

With unusual graciousness, she steps aside to feature raw talent from the Third World and beyond. "Mango Pickle Down River" features young Aboriginal rappers The Wilcannia Mob, and "Hussel" features up and coming Nigerian rapper Afrikan Boy. She even steps out of her comfort zone for the Bollywood pop of "Jimmy," slightly misplaced but fun. She adjusts her rapping to fill the sparse, Clash-sampling, Diplo-produced "Paper Planes," and quotes the Pixies on the spacious "$20."

"Kala" is almost as catchy as "Arular," and twice as dizzying. At points, the fearless M.I.A. seems overcome by her own daring creation, but it's that restlessness that makes her magnetic.