SANTOGOLD: SANTOGOLD

Santogold: Santogold

Label: Downtown

Release Date: April 29, 2008

Santogold may just be the most exciting Philly export since Hall & Oates, her self-titled debut a testament. If after first listen you find yourself comparing much of Santogold’s (aka Santi White) debut to electronic peer M.I.A. then you’d be on the right track. The production work has been distributed to notables including the aforementioned M.I.A. and her Kala co-producer Diplo, explaining the great range in style from track to track. If not for the exceptional production, the vocals alone would transport you to a 1983 Cyndi Lauper show. She comes strong right of the bat with L.E.S. Artistes crooning, “Creep up and suddenly I found myself an innovator” over super-catchy indie pop beats. Before it’s all over she dabbles with dub on “Shove It”, nods to Eurythmics on “My Superman”, and revives mid-90’s alternative on “I’m A Lady”. At the end of the showing, she might as well clear her throat and state, “beat that” because this one is gonna be hard to top. If its implied that Santogold has something to prove, then she’s done it, and kicked us in the seat of our pants.

-ABC