Santogold's self titled album is startlingly confident for a debut record. Brooklyn gal Santi White agily blends hip-hop beats with electro-pop melodies and howls with a grittily rocking snarl of a voice.At first glance she might seem highly comparable to indie hip-hop phenomena M.I.A. however, Santogold draws from a much broader and diverse array of influences. There are inflections of reggae, punk and electronica smattered all of the album, which make for an extremely eclectic and often engaging listen.
While many of the songs are best defined as genre hybrids, at its core the album is undoubtedly as a beat-heavy affair. It's bursting with relentless energy and funky, dance-ready rhythms. The upbeat pace never lets up -from the electric blast of an opener "L.E.S. Artistes" to the anthemic "I'm A Lady", Santogold proves she knows her way around a hook. Her empowering, down to earth lyricism, which is much in the vein of a more urban (and American) Lily Allen, also contributes to her charming persona and further ups the albums likeability.