Punk, new wave, rock, & dub meets electronic music… Santi White, known as Santogold when the album originally dropped in 2008, pulled from all the influences that shaped her for this self-titled debut. Growing up in Philadelphia, she was exposed to reggae, Jazz, Fela Kuti, Nigerian music, soul, as well as bands like Devo and Siouxsie and the Banshees. In addition, Santi worked as an A&R and played in the ska-punk band Stiffed; the diversity of her musical taste needs no explanation. Featuring production work from fellow tastemakers (Diplo, Spank Rock, Sinden, Switch, Radioclit, etc.), Santigold included songs like "Creator," "L.E.S. Artistes," "Lights Out," "You'll Find A Way," and "Shove It." They are perfect time capsules of the scene that surrounded the album, and the genre-mashing sound is just as fresh almost a decade later.

• includes artwork insert w/ credits
• music label: Lizard King Records 2008 / 2017

reviewed by thom tanks 07/2017