Santogold - 'The Creator'

Brooklyn-based Santogold, a favourite among artists and producers as diverse as Bjork and Mark Ronson, is eclectic if nothing else. Here, ‘Creator’ ventures into distinctly urban territory, mixing synthetic bleeps and blips with tribal drumming and tripping bass. Underscored by an off-kilter beat, the whole thing is topped off by a screeching vocal that doffs its (presumably camo-print) cap firmly in the direction of M.I.A. Elsewhere, flipside, ‘L.E.S. Artistes,’ offers something completely different all together. Analogue tweeting jostles alongside handclaps, whilst muted guitar chords vie for attention with a rolling bass groove. Coming across as a 21st century cross between Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde, here Santogold embraces her New York twang within a distinctly digital framework. It’s an unlikely pair of influences, perhaps, but one that works perfectly set against the song’s lolling infectiousness. It’s good enough, in fact, to demand a re-release as a standalone A-side.

Released 29/10/07 on Lizard King.