Santi White, also known as Santigold, has been a staple in my music collection ever since her debut release in 2008, when her name was spelled Santogold and she was a fresh face in the scene. I cannot get through the day without listening to at least one song on Santogold and going into the alternative universe that Santi takes you to with her unique vocals and futuristic production on the album. It is an understatement to say that she was ahead of her time. With punk influences being obvious, her music had a futuristic urban flair with some of her tunes using beats from Switch and Diplo, which showed signs of modern music crazes such as dubstep.
With the rest of her fans, I waited and waited for a follow up to Santogold, so I could see what the creative innovator would come up with next. Finally, Santigold announced that she would be making a sophomore album, and Master of My Make-Believe was awarded to her waiting fans for them to get a listen of how the mystical songstress had grown in the last four years.
The first single from the album, “Disparate Youth,” takes you on an atmospheric journey from which you never want to leave. Beginning with some inviting rising and falling synths, a steady bassline, and a spackle of hi hats, the track immediately starts off on an euphoric tip. The rough guitar riffs kick in and Santigold’s infectious voice pours like smooth honey all over the Ricky Blaze-produced song.
Elements of dream pop, reggae, and alternative rock are embedded in this song, further proving Santigold as a genre-less artist. Master of My Make-Believe stays true to Santigold’s roots with her refusing to be fit into any boxes. The only collaboration on the album is the sinister and fast paced “Go” featuring Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ leading lady Karen O. The entire album is amazing, as expected, hopefully we don’t have to wait another four years to see another album by Santigold.