Santogold’s pan-global collage of bhangra beats, agitprop punk, and brassy hip-hop has drawn inevitable comparisons to London genre-gypsy M.I.A. Clearly, there are some parallels – especially on Bollywood-flavoured excursions such as ‘Shove It’ and ‘Creator’. Elsewhere, though, Santogold’s self-titled debut is too inventive and eclectic to be dismissed as a collection of MIA knock-offs.
You may already be familiar with the single ‘L.E.S Artists’, a Nelly Furtado-tinged pop vehicle that would fit comfortably on Tony Fenton’s playlist. Even better is the coolly sensual ‘Lights Out’, which combines restrained arrangements with a seductive hook.
Still, there is the occasional misstep: ‘You’ll Find A Way’ is an ill-advised plunge into shouty No Doubt ska-punk territory while ‘Unstoppable’ and ‘My Superman’ are wafer thin in both style and substance.
Key Track: ‘Lights Out’