Santigold "Master of My Make Believe"

We are the masters of our own make believe, and Santigold seems to be losing control over hers. I loved the versatility of her debut, but there is a power struggle in the kingdom. Every person in power calls on assistance at least once, and before she loses her own majestic kingdom to the suits prepared to tailor her own sound, she calls on friends Karen O and Q-Tip in her first declaration of defense.  Let’s “Go!” It is not only the “Disparate Youth” that feel this way, but those who seemed to have attained theirs; except now it’s in a freeze frame. Santi remains afloat despite the ice bergs near the tropical landscape. “God From The Machine” is about creation and how that person’s creation (musical, film, etc.) forges a different persona; which could over take the original personality. If most people knew what the true price of “Fame” they would forget about it; some handle it really well. Sitek handles the production work on this cut. If you get busy with an older Sean Paul hit, while hanging with Usher and his hot tottie, you may get a “Freak Like Me.” It sounds as if she is giving up, as if the block was successfully sent, and now she holds up her flags singing “This Isn’t Our Parade.” She is more focused on this record, to say the least, even if there aren’t as many surprises. “The Riot’s Gone,” and is replaced with a more mellow melody, even if she is “…armed and dangerous.” Switch and Diplo are the “Pirates in the Water” that recover what may have been pillaged: “Don't let 'em take you like the buccaneers do/Right though the heart/They'll tear you in two.” Now that she has less to manage, she can pay more apt attention; as “The Keepers” Santigold and producer Kurstin create their best collaboration. “Look AT These H***” may be Santigold at her spunkiest since the loss of her major kingdom, but she proves she is still hungry for more; while calling out those who fail to follow “H** just tried, they come 'round in the dark I glow. That's my motto.” She may have a “Big Mouth,” but sometimes you need to have one to share bright ideas; because they will be ignored. We’ve heard it before, but what is wrong with that?  Favorites: Go!, Disparate Youth, Freak Like Me, Pirates in the Water, The Keepers, and Look at These H***.