Release Date: May 1st, 2012
Is Santi White angry? Her new album, Master of My Make-Believe, certainly sounds like it. The sophomore release feels heavy and confrontational, lacking the fun of her 2008 debut.
“Creator” and “L.E.S. Artistes,” the first singles off of Santogold, garnered a ton of online attention way back in 2007, preceding the release of her first album. The thunderous beats and soaring synths paired with White’s shapeshifting vocals had the music world waiting eagerly to see what she’d do next. Everything since 2007, though, hasn’t quite delivered the expected punch.
It seems like Santigold’s trying to prove something, but it comes off as brash and in-your-face, making the relatively short album drag, bottom-heavy, despite copious amounts of hip-hoppy beats, sizzling synth and reggae grooves. The lyrical themes drive home the message that Santigold’s after fame and celebrity, but it seems contrived, as if she’s given in to it or is unsure if that’s what she really wants. Maybe she’s sick of the M.I.A. comparisons. Santigold was one of several female musicians who popped up in the wake of Maya Arulpragasm’s genre-bending burst into the music scene. Frankly, Maya did it first and does it better, and it’s hard to listen to any Santigold song without thinking of M.I.A.’s sheer genius.
That being said, Master of My Make-Believe has some stand-out tracks. The first track, “GO!,” sets the tone of the album before it grows old. It’s driven by a vaguely sinister-sounding melody and a throbbing beat. White’s staccato chanting adds to the militaristic feel. You can imagine her charging forward, brandishing a flag while wearing trendy sunglasses. The problem is, it’s unclear who the war is against, or what she’s fighting for.
The brief but glorious “Freak Like Me” rides on an entrancing beat and shines like a beacon in the middle of the album, one of the lightest songs, both in length and mood. It’s a celebration of eccentricities with a catchy vocal hook and a repetitive chorus that practically begs listeners to sing along.
Other than that, the release is largely forgettable. We can chalk this one up to the sophomore slump, perhaps. Hopefully Santigold won’t wait another four years to put out her next record. Maybe the album can be summed up best in her own words. During “Fame,” Santigold sings, “We don’t want the fame. Oh, we want the fame.” Which one is it, Santigold? Figure it out, then come back and let us know.
Santigold – Master of My Make-Believe tracklist:
- “GO!”
- “Disparate Youth”
- “God from the Machine”
- “Fame”
- “Freak Like Me”
- “This Isn’t Our Parade”
- “The Riot’s Game”
- “Pirate in the Water”
- “The Keepers”
- “Look at These Hoes”
- “Big Mouth”
