With only three albums in the past eight years, it’s clear Santigold is not forcing her art. Every album has a very clear objective, whether it’s to define her genre or make a statement – 99¢ is a bit of both.
In a recent interview Santi White said, “Everything is a product at this point, including people and relationships.” This is reiterated in both the title and colourful album art, which features the singer shrink-wrapped in a bag among various accessories. Thankfully the concept adds new meaning to her already appealing sound instead of distracting the listener.
The beat of Can’t Get Enough Of Myself feels somewhat tame compared to earlier dance anthems like L.E.S. Artistes and Say Aha, but it’s perhaps her best and most catchy song to date. Big Boss Big Time Business adds a dose of reggae, but feels repetitive without a climax. Banshee lifts the tempo with a fun clap motif, continually slowing before dropping again.
Chasing Shadows is the third single to be released from the album and it’s not hard to see why; melodic keys bounce along perfectly with White’s high-pitched lyrics.
Things stay poppy with Walking In A Circle and the rather slow single Who Be Lovin Me, which features American hip hop artist ILoveMakonnen.
Rendezvous Girl and Before The Fire are more subtle numbers with very simple instrumentals, but still very enjoyable. All I Got packs a bit more punch, while Outside The War drops the bar again. Run The Races is slower but a grower, and thankfully Who I Thought You Were brings back the singer’s signature attitude to finish.
The first few tracks of this album are among the best of Santigold’s career, but the rest of the album fails to keep the momentum going.
BY KRYSTAL MAYNARD
