Category: Album Reviews

Posted in Album Reviews

Santigold – Master Of My Make Believe (2012)

Posted on by Michael

After a successful career writing songs for others, Santi White, then going as Santogold, burst onto the scene in 2008 with the “L.E.S Artistes” single as well as the S/T debut. Buzzing with highlights such as “Lights Out”, “Unstoppable” and “I’m a Lady”, the debut went a long way in establishing Santi as a prime contender in the sophisticated dance pop ring. Four years later, with one name change under her belt as well as a Chuck Taylor advert and numerous commercial audio pop ups, she appears with her sophomore release Master Of My Make Believe.

Make Believe gets off to a rousing start with one of her strongest tracks in “Go!” Featuring Karen O, the menacing opening leads into Marylyn Manson like military drumming before it suddenly veers to 80s pop punk… and that’s just the first 45 seconds. First single, “Disparate Youth” continues the winning trick and is another standout. The track has moves similar to “L.E.S Artiste” as it seems just a bit too slow for the dance floor but one sure to get heads nodding. After this, the album gets a bit murky as tracks such as “Fame” and “Freak Like Me” are more curiosities and the pace really slows down with several mid tempo numbers (though “The Riot’s Gone” is one of the strongest tracks on the album). “The Keepers” gets things back on track and sounds like an updated version of Kim Wilde’s “Kids in America” with an equally infectious chorus.

There’s a lot of good on Masters Of My Make Believe as it boasts possibly three of the best tracks of the year. However pacing becomes an issue and like the debut, there’s a few songs that are easily skipped over. Still, Santigold continues to produce intelligent dance music and this album is a welcome return by one of the coolest girls around.

7/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Django Django – S/T (2012)

Posted on by Michael

It’s been three years since the four lads of Django Django released first single, a double A side “Storm”/”Lover’s Dart” but they have finally come out with their self-titled debut release. The four Scottish lads now based in trendy East London, originally met at art school in Edinburgh several years ago. Much has been made of drummer/producer Dave MacLean being the younger brother of John MacLean from the mighty Beta Band, this isn’t just name dropping as “Zumm Zumm” could easily fit in with the Beta’s late 90s output.

Sounding like giddy hippies who have just discovered electronics, in another time Django Django could easily have been a lost cult band from the 70s. Campfire harmonies on the aforementioned “Lover’s Dart” meshes into the dark, clattering “WOR”, a twangy surf guitar line pushing the song forward. The same guitar twang appears on possible future single “Hail Bop” with its handclaps and stuttering drumbeat. Standout single “Default”’s angular sound catches the right side of dance floor friendly post punk.

The only quibble with DD’s sound is that the vocals can blunt the edges of the band’s sound, sounding more like Cosmic Rough Riders instead of the urgent voice of Alex Kapranos and Franz Ferdinand. Minor preference points aside, Django Django have delivered one of the better debuts of 2012.

8/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Grimes – Visions (2012)

Posted on by Michael

In the past year, Claire Boucher, better known as Grimes has been a busy woman. The Vancouver native, now living in Montreal, has released 3 albums as well as a split 12” with D’eon and toured with Lykke Li. Grimes latest release is Visions and is also her first on legendary label 4AD (Grimes remains on the Arbutus Record label in Canada).

Already making waves across the internet, Visions is absolutely stunning and one that is not easily comparable to other artists. In spots Grimes sounds like a lighter, poppier version of Crystal Castles with a dose of Austra thrown in for good measure. The upbeat “Circumambient” is one remix away from being club ready as is “Be a Body” with its slashing keyboard lines. Visions really shines on tracks such as the Japanese sounding “Genesis”, the haunting echoed vocal effected “Nightmare” and first single “Oblivion” with its buried lyric – “it’s hard to understand cause when you’re really by yourself it’s hard to find someone to really hold your hand”.

The hype surrounding Grimes coming into this year was well justified. Visions is one of the first great albums of the year and sure to hold up as one of the best of 2012.

9/10

Grimes – Oblivion