Santigold is a musical pioneer who often doesn’t get the credit she deserves. Her 2008 self-titled album was as good as anything that was released in that decade and she undoubtedly paved the way for several of the artists in the mainstream today.
Her latest offering “Spirituals” is a brave and exciting album that takes her down new musical paths while still sounding like it is part of her natural evolution as a woman and as an artist. The album features an all-star team of producers and collaborators, including Rostam, Dre Skull, Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and SBTRKT, to name a few. Each of these people brings their own unique sensibilities to the project but at no point is the attention diverted away from Santigold’s vision and delivery.
album opener “My Horror” creates a clear tie between the tropical atmosphere of her previous album and the darkness of the songs to follow. The piercing synths of “Ain’t Ready” and the hypnotic groove of “No Paradise” carry a similar tension between music and lyrics, with the latter introducing hooks galore expertly interwoven into group chants. “High Priestess” is reminiscent of some of the futuristic punk sound that featured on the aforementioned debut and acts as a very intentional call out to her detractors. Over a buzzing bass, sputtering electronics and hypnotising call-and-response backing vocals it sounds like she is toying with her prey. Elsewhere, the album closer “Fall First” is a personal highlight built around a bassline that screams immediacy and distorted vocals and guitars that sound truly cathartic.
“Spirituals” is a brave, ambitious, and exciting album that pushes the boundaries of what pop music can be. Her unique blend of dancehall, punk, and hip-hop influences come together in a way that feels both familiar and fresh. Santigold has always been a fearless artist, and this album simply cements her reputation further.
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