Album Reviews

Santogold is about to phunk yo' shit up, literally. On her self-titled debut, Miss Santi White, the record label rep turned punk-reggae-electro-goddess, throws convention out the window. Her smooth wail crescendos from a hip hop flow to a gravelly, punk rock growl. Amidst all of the genre mashing, Santogold remains quite classical in some ways. Take the hand-clapping and Beach Boys-style "ooh-ing" that float through "Shove It." Other places, like "Say Aha," she carries a tune like few of her peers can. From the reggae overtones to the electronic flourishes, there's a tangible tension at the heart of the record. After the tribal beat on "Creator," it feels like everything could fall apart at any second, but it never does. Santogold's way too good of an architect for that to happen. "Lights Out" is romantic pop for the blog-set with an electro boot and huge swooning chorus. She's crafted one of the most chaotic and, at the same time, structured debuts of 2008.

Yes, you can make M.I.A. comparisons until Justice goes out of style, but you know what? The only thing Santogold and Sri Lankan mistress have in common are a mutual love for genre mashing. Where M.I.A.'s stoned melodies take center stage over dance beats, Santogold sounds like tweaked-out sonic candy on "You'll Find A Way (Remix)," bridging the gap between creepy industrial and reggae, for all of us free thinkers. Also, Santogold's not necessarily political in any way. "L.E.S. Artistes" takes dead aim at New York's upper echelon of artist snobs with no real jobs, but someone had to do it.

Just like mixing punk, rap, dancehall and electronica; someone had to do it. She's that someone, an "Artiste" if you will.

—Rick Florino
05.01.08