Review
'Santigold' emerged as the genesis of cross-pollination in modern music, a fascinating hybrid cultivated in just eight weeks in New York City. Merging new wave, punk, electro, reggae, and dub influences, this 2008 debut album (initially released under the name Santogold) sprouted from the collaborative cultivation of Santigold herself and John Hill, with roots extending to producers Diplo and Switch. The album's sonic ecosystem flourishes with vibrant rhythms and experimental beats, creating a habitat where tracks like 'Creator' and 'Lights Out' thrive with distinctive adaptations to their musical environment.
Santigold's vocal delivery functions like a rare botanical specimen - distinctive, resilient, and capable of adapting across diverse musical territories. Guest contributions, including Spank Rock, add symbiotic dimensions to tracks like 'L.E.S. Artistes' and 'Say Aha,' where catchy hooks intertwine with sharp songwriting. This debut branched out internationally, taking root in charts across the US, UK, Ireland, Netherlands, France, and Belgium, while critics recognized its innovative cross-genre germination, placing it in numerous year-end and decade-end lists. The album remains a fascinating specimen of musical evolution - a confident, boundary-pushing collection that captured its era's essence while simultaneously transcending it. - Claire
