Santogold | ||||
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Studio album by Santogold | ||||
Released | April 29, 2008 | |||
Recorded | 2007 | |||
Genre | New wave, dub, reggae fusion, electronica | |||
Length | 41:19 | |||
Label | Downtown Records (US), Atlantic Records (UK) | |||
Producer | Diplo, Disco D, Freq Nasty, John Hill, Jonnie "Most" Davis, Santi White, Switch, Chuck Treece, Steel Pulse Jah Known Anthony | |||
Santogold chronology | ||||
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Singles from Santogold | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 77/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
The A.V. Club | A− |
Entertainment Weekly | A− |
The Guardian | |
The Independent | |
MSN Music | A− |
NME | 8/10 |
Pitchfork Media | 7.1/10 |
Rolling Stone | |
Spin |
Santogold is the debut studio album by American artist Santigold (real name Santi White, who performed under the moniker Santogold at the time of the album's release). The album was released on April 29, 2008 in the United States and May 12 in the United Kingdom, on Downtown Records and Atlantic Records, respectively.
Blending a variety of musical genres ranging from new wave to alternative rock and reggae, the album was very well received by critics upon release and was noted for its "cross-genre confidence". It earned multiple spots on 'top albums of the year' lists from major music periodicals such as NME, Rolling Stone, and Spin, and was positively compared to several other artists, including Debbie Harry, Pixies, M.I.A., Goldfrapp, The Go-Go's, Joe Strummer, and The Slits. White, who was admittedly influenced by '80s new wave rock, based the music of "My Superman" from the song "Red Light" by Siouxsie and the Banshees.
The album spawned four singles, most notably "L.E.S. Artistes" and "Creator", and features appearances and/or production work from Bad Brains' Chuck Treece, Clifford Pusey of Steel Pulse, Diplo, Disco D, Freq Nasty, Spank Rock, Radioclit, Sinden, Switch, and Trouble Andrew. In addition to vocals, Santi White played guitar and keyboard on several songs on the album. The music video for the album's lead single, "L.E.S. Artistes", is an homage to the 1973 Alejandro Jodorowsky art film, The Holy Mountain.