Bittersuss

The title translates as bittersweet, a neat description of German producer MIA’s approach. Tracks like ‘Can’t Find You’ radiate a beautiful sadness, as plaintive chords sweep over stripped back rhythms. On recent single ‘Sad Night’, MIA uses her mournful vocals and a plunging bass convey feelings of isolation. There is also a darker side to her psyche, evident on the moody low end and tough beats of ‘So I Felt’, and the fact that she manages to express these varying moods through the limited dance floor medium rather than trying to flirt with different styles and tempos is impressive. Like her Jeff Koons-esque image that adorns the cover, Bittersuss is fragile, beautiful and not of this world.