CTRL (song)

"CTRL" is a song performed by M.I.A.. It is written by M.I.A. and co-produced with Fern and Cadenza. The track was released for streaming through OHMNI.COM on September 9, 2020, and it is unknown if it belongs to a longer project or is a standalone single.

Background
Around the first week of September M.I.A. previewed this song on her car via Instagram Live. A few days later, on September 9th, she released the song a non-album track via OHMNI.COM.

Music and composition
M.I.A. on Instagram stories: "CTRL! a song for 2020... This is not a song from M.I.A.'s upcoming highly anticipated IIIIIIth LP. It was made for the here + now, today. In opposition to the ongoing extraditions of journalis Julian Assange. The significance of this moment and this case is like nothing we have seen in modern jurisdiction.

This is not a left thing, it's not a right wing, it's not abut a black thing vs white thing, it's about the right thing."

Critical reception
Stereogum opined:"'Production-wise, “CTRL” strikes me as a trap-era update on Kala, matching skittering digital hi-hats with with air-raid sirens and thunderous tribal percussion.'"CLASHmusic opined:"'New single 'CTRL' opens a fresh chapter for M.I.A., but it returns to her to some familiar sonic spheres. Blistering electronic pop with a phenomenal rhythmic chassis, it's a blistering comeback, one that references the ongoing case surrounding Julian Assange.'"

Official versions

 * CTRL– 03:43
 * CTRL (Instrumental) – 03:43
 * CTRL (Acapella) – 03:43

Trivia

 * Digi second art by David Rudnick
 * Photography by Daniel Sannwald