Santogold
Studio album by
Santigold
ReleasedApril 29, 2008 (2008-04-29)
Recorded2007
Studio
  • Schoolhouse (New York)

  • Pitch Black (Brooklyn)
Genre
Length41:19
Label
Producer
Santigold chronology
Santogold
(2008)		 Top Ranking: A Diplo Dub
(2008)
Singles from Santogold
  1. "Creator"
    Released: February 24, 2008
  2. "L.E.S. Artistes"
    Released: May 5, 2008
  3. "Lights Out"
    Released: August 11, 2008
  4. "Say Aha"
    Released: November 24, 2008

Santogold is the debut studio album by musician and singer Santigold (who performed as Santogold at the time of the album's release). It was released on April 29, 2008 in the United States through Downtown Records and on May 12 in the United Kingdom through Lizard King and Atlantic Records. The album was recorded within eight weeks in New York City at Schoolhouse and Pitch Black Studios. It was written and produced primarily by Santigold and former Stiffed bandmate John Hill, alongside contributions from other producers, including Diplo, Switch and Disco D, and vocal appearances from Spank Rock and Trouble Andrew.

This album incorporates a variety of musical styles, such as new wave, punk, electro, reggae and dub, with the aim of defying boundaries and genre classification. This genre-defying approach awarded the album with praise from music critics. It earned multiple spots on music publications' year-end lists of the best albums of the year, as well as on several decade-end lists. The record charted in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, France and Belgium, and spawned the singles "Creator", "L.E.S. Artistes", "Lights Out", and "Say Aha".

Recording, music and development

Santogold was written and recorded in the span of eight weeks.[1] When working on the album, Santigold aimed to defy boundaries and genre classifications, and the expectations from a black woman to sing R&B.[2] She says she was "able to work with all these genres that are typically sub-cultural, like dub or punk or something, and then, by writing in a way that had hooks, made it accessible to everyone."[3] Despite the album also being released on Lizard King Records, Santigold had left the label prior to the release of the album, saying that they "didn't allow me any freedoms. The label was a joke and I'll say that on the record. They weren't involved at all and pretty much got in the way."[4] By the time the album was finished, she signed to Atlantic Records, whom she says loved the album and asked her to not change anything on it.[1] The track "My Superman" was inspired by the 1980 song "Red Light" by Siouxsie and the Banshees, and contains an interpolation of it:[5] the song credits of the song were subsequently attributed half to Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin on the American Ascap website.[6]

Jon Pareles of the NY Times noted that there was also a "reggae-ska side" in songs like "Say Aha" and "Shove It".[7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic77/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
The A.V. ClubA−[10]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[11]
The Guardian[12]
The Independent[13]
MSN Music (Consumer Guide)A−[14]
NME8/10[15]
Pitchfork7.1/10[16]
Rolling Stone[17]
Spin[18]

Santogold received acclaim from music critics.[19][20] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 77, based on 27 reviews.[8] The album was noted for its eclectic sound and blend of various musical genres, including new wave, electro, indie rock, dub, post-punk, reggae, grime, ska, and hip hop,[18][21][22][9][23] and was positively compared to various acts, such as M.I.A., Pixies, Blondie, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Grace Jones, Debbie Harry, Goldfrapp, The Go-Go's, Joe Strummer, and the Slits.[24][16] Will Hermes of Rolling Stone called it "a visionary album" and "one of the year's most unique debuts", and stated that despite being influenced by other acts, Santigold "ultimately sounds like her own damn movement."[17] Writing for NME, Priya Elan felt the album "reveals a glittery crazy-paved path towards a brave new musical future", and commended it for stylistically veering from one track to another while still remaining a cohesive body of work.[15]

AllMusic critic Marisa Brown called Santogold an album "that looks outward at the pan-continental landscape while staying firmly adherent to and respectful of its deeply American roots; this is the emerging—and hopeful—face of the new millennium, and an altogether shining accomplishment."[9] The Village Voice wrote, "With her eponymous debut's deft mix of dap, punk, rock, pop, house, reggae, and hip-hop, she won't completely live down associations with the famous Sri Lankan (whom she also counts as a friend), but the result emerges as much more than a mere imitation."[8]

Accolades

Santogold was ranked among the best albums of 2008 by numerous publications. Billboard named it the second best album of 2008,> while Rolling Stone,[25] Spin,[26] and New York all listed the album at number 6 on their year-end lists. Pazz & Jop ranked it at number 7 on their annual list.[27] NME also ranked it at number 7,[28] while Slant Magazine placed it at number 9.[24] Other publications who featured Santogold on their year-end lists include Q, The Guardian, Pitchfork, Consequence of Sound, Paste, PopMatters, Drowned in Sound, Gigwise, Mixmag, musicOMH and Blender.

The album was also included in lists ranking the best albums of the 2000s (decade). Complex ranked it at number 26 on their list,[29] as well as at number 24 on their "100 Best Albums of the Complex Decade" list, which includes albums released from 2002–2012.[30] Slant Magazine placed the album at number 35 on their "Top 250 Albums of the 2000s" list,[31] while Kitsap Sun and Les Inrockuptibles ranked it at number 66 and 76, respectively. In their "50 Greatest Albums of Our Lifetime" list, which includes albums from 2004–2014, Clash ranked Santogold at number 41.[32]

Commercial performance

As of 2012, Santogold had sold 225,000 copies and 932,000 individual downloads in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.[33] In 2009 the album was certified silver by the BPI.[34] In 2010 it was awarded a gold certification from the Independent Music Companies Association, which indicates 100,000 sales across Europe.[35]

Track listing

Santogold – Standard edition[36]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."L.E.S. Artistes"
  • Jonnie "Most" Davis
  • White
  • Hill
3:24
2."You'll Find a Way"
3:00
3."Shove It" (featuring Spank Rock)
3:46
4."Say Aha"
  • White
  • Hill
  • White
  • Hill
  • Switch[a]
3:35
5."Creator" (vs. Switch and Freq Nasty)
3:33
6."My Superman"
3:00
7."Lights Out"
  • White
  • Hill
  • Feinstein
  • White
  • Hill
3:12
8."Starstruck"
  • White
  • Hill
3:54
9."Unstoppable"
  • White
  • Pentz
3:32
10."I'm a Lady" (featuring Trouble Andrew)
  • White
  • Hill
  • Andrew
  • Feinstein
  • White
  • Hill
3:43
11."Anne"
  • White
  • Hill
  • Taylor
  • White
  • Hill
  • Switch
3:28
12."You'll Find a Way" (Switch and Sinden remix)
  • White
  • Hill
  • Feinstein
3:12
Total length:41:19
Santogold – Japanese edition (bonus tracks)[37]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Your Voice"
  • White
  • Hill
3:58
14."L.E.S. Artistes" (Switch remix)
  • White
  • Hill
Switch5:14
Total length:50:31

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Santogold.[38]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Santogold
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Gold 100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for Santogold
Region Date Label Ref.
United States April 29, 2008 Downtown
United Kingdom May 12, 2008
Various Lizard King
Canada September 16, 2008 Downtown

References

  1. 1 2 Robinson, Peter (May 12, 2008). "Santogold Interview". PopJustice. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
  2. ↑ Tom Thorogood (April 23, 2008). "Santogold Interview". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
  3. ↑ Nicholson, Rebecca (May 19, 2008). "Santogold and the genre problem". The Lipster. Retrieved May 22, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Santo Claws: talking S1W, M.I.A., and Mark Ronson with Santogold". Drowned in Sound. April 17, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  5. ↑ Hresko, Lisa (April 28, 2008). "All That Glitters Is Santogold". CMJ. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 "My Superman - songcredits on Ascap". ASCAP. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  7. ↑ Pareles, Jon (April 28, 2008). "New CDs Santogold[work=Nytimes". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
  8. 1 2 3 "Reviews for Santogold by Santogold". Metacritic. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
  9. 1 2 3 Brown, Marisa. "Santogold – Santogold". AllMusic. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  10. ↑ Koski, Genevieve (April 28, 2008). "Santogold: Santogold". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  11. ↑ Greenblatt, Leah (April 18, 2008). "Santogold". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
  12. ↑ Sullivan, Caroline (May 9, 2008). "Santogold, Santogold". The Guardian. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
  13. ↑ Gill, Andy (May 16, 2008). "Album: Santogold, Santogold (Lizard King/Atlantic)". The Independent. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  14. ↑ Christgau, Robert (June 2008). "Consumer Guide". MSN Music. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  15. 1 2 Elan, Priya (May 8, 2008). "Santogold: Santogold". NME. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
  16. 1 2 Ewing, Tom (May 7, 2008). "Santogold: Santogold". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  17. 1 2 Hermes, Will (May 1, 2008). "Santogold : Santogold". Rolling Stone. No. 1053. p. 83. Archived from the original on May 8, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
  18. 1 2 Walters, Barry (June 2008). "Hip Priestess". Spin. 24 (6): 112. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Santogold: 'I didn't expect this'". The Independent. January 9, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Santogold changes name to Santigold". BrooklynVegan. February 11, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  21. 1 2 Pauline Gumbs, Alexis (April 29, 2008). "Santogold: Santogold". PopMatters. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  22. ↑ Lea, Ryan (April 30, 2018). "Santogold Turns 10". Stereogum. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Santogold: Kaleidoscopic Pop". NPR. May 15, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  24. 1 2 "The 25 Best Albums & Singles of 2008". Slant Magazine. December 15, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Rolling Stone's Top 50 Albums Of 2008". Stereogum. December 10, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Santogold, Santogold (Downtown)". Spin. December 31, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Village Voice - Pazz & Jop Lists". rocklistmusic.co.uk. 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  28. ↑ "NME Albums of 2008". rocklistmusic.co.uk. December 18, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  29. ↑ "The 100 Best Albums of the 2000s". Complex. September 9, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  30. ↑ "The 100 Best Albums of The Complex Decade". Complex. April 3, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  31. ↑ "The 100 Best Albums of the Aughts". Slant Magazine. February 1, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  32. ↑ "100 Greatest Albums of Our Lifetime". Clash. December 10, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  33. ↑ Ryzik, Melena (April 27, 2012). "Ahead of the Curve, Yet Again". New York Times. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  34. ↑ "British album certifications – Santogold". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 19, 2020. Select albums in the Format field. Type Santogold in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  35. ↑ "New Impala Awards…". Impala. October 5, 2010. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Santogold - Santogold". Amazon. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Santogold - Santogold CD Album". CDJapan. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  38. ↑ Santogold (CD liner notes). Santogold. Downtown Records. 2008. DWT70034.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  39. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 243.
  40. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Santogold – Santogold" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Santogold – Santogold" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Santogold – Santogold". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Santigold". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  44. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Santigold Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Santigold Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Santigold Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Independent Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  50. ↑ "Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  51. ↑ "British album certifications – Santigold – Santogold". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  52. ↑ "Santigold by Santigold on Apple Music (US)". Apple Music. April 29, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  53. ↑ Singh, Amrit (April 17, 2008). "Santi White For Bud Light, Santogold Album Art". Stereogum. Retrieved August 3, 2018. Santogold is out in the US on 4/29 via Downtown, and 5/12 in the UK via Atlantic
  54. ↑
  55. ↑ "Santigold by Santigold on Apple Music (CA)". Apple Music. September 16, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
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