Posted on 04/29/2008
It’s too soon to say for sure, but it’s likely that future musicologists will look back upon the work of Santogold and grant her the title of missing link between M.I.A., Gwen Stefani, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Gleaning the best elements from each of the aforementioned artists, frontwoman Santi White and her former Stiffed bandmate John Hill have created a fresh, genre-twisting journey of an album with their self-titled debut, Santogold.

Fearlessly blending raw punk aesthetic with indie rock, electro, dub, and hip hop, the songs that comprise this album are dance-floor ready, but still manage to dodge the derisive title of ‘club tracks,’ thanks to the actual songwriting and melodies within. White’s style and delivery are bound to draw comparisons to M.I.A.; while at times this similarity is especially evident (see the glitchy, dirty grime of “Creator”), the implementation of live instruments and pop song structure (found, for instance, on the frenetic punk outbursts found on “You’ll Find A Way”) makes it clear that this is not a case of plagiarism.

Hipsters and fans of adventurous music in general have got something to write home about. Santogold never loses its footing, regardless of how many genres and elements it straddles, even within the same song. If this is the direction of dance/pop music, the future is looking pretty damn good.

- Sean Kantrowitz