BLACK GIRL DEBUT MAGIC™ - WINNER
- Thread starter Mr.Arroz
- Start date
Mr.Arroz
Staff member
he/him/his
Oh, no, we're not going to do this. Not one of my top ten favorite albums of all time.Kelela to lose some tracks now please.
These sub-8 scores don't sit right with me
You know what don’t sit right with me? Going forward with only 2-cuts-a-day in the The Indie/Alt Pop/Not-quite-'Mainstream'-but-won’t-be-completed-until-2023-rate!!1
Mr.Arroz
Staff member
he/him/his
And here go the first two.
#23
Lights Out
8.756
Highest score: 11 x 2 (@happiestgirl, @JamesJupiter)
10 x 10 (@KingBruno, @ohnostalgia, @R92, @LE0Night, @soratami, @Bangers&Bops, @digitalkaiser, @2014, @constantino)
Lowest scores: 6.5 x 1 (@AshleyKerwin)
5.5 x 1 (@BML)
5 x 1 (@paperboyfriendd)
My score: 10
Track background: “Lights Out” is track seven on Santigold’s debut release, and was co-written and co-produced by Santi alongside John Hill. Chris Feinstein contributed their songwriting abilities as well.
It was announced as Santigold’s third single on July 4th, 2008, and subsequently released in the United Kingdom on August 11th, alongside its music video, which was directed by Kim Gehrig and premiered on Pitchfork Media. The music video features a shortened 2:30 edit of the track.
My thoughts: This is one of the more straightforward/traditional/accessible tracks on Santi’s album, and as evidenced by my 10, one of my favorites. I love how much more ‘clean’/smooth her vocal is, especially when paired against the pop/rock-ish production. Then how the vocal completely switches it up for the middle-eight? Sucker for it every time. And the harmonized vocalizing that ends it?
Those 11’s were more than well deserved.
Your thoughts:
@happiestgirl (11) - I just have a thing for apocalyptic songs. Maybe I just relate to the utter despair yet resignation of “there’s no place to run”. This song is so mellow yet panicked and so sad yet upbeat and I find it very hard to describe but it holds a special place in my heart.
@Sprockrooster (9) - Always a bit of a sucker for a prominent poprock beat.
@TRAVVV (9) - A much needed breezy moment on this sonically dark album.
@Jwentz (9) - We love a wistful moment of love whatever
@digitalkaiser (10) - The guitars in this are always so soothing. I love her vocals in the chorus in this, it really feels like one of the quintessential 2008 songs for me. There was always something a bit Tegan & Sara to this song, and I think that’s why I love it so much. “Darling, Don’t got to worry, turn out the light” was kind of a motto back then, except I took it to be self referential as if she was reassuring herself she’ll be okay.
@Bangers&Bops (10) - Besides I’m A Lady and L.E.S. Artistes, this is the song that expanded my horizons of indie music back when I was in the beginning of my 20’s. I’ll always have a special place for it.
@KingBruno (10) - That flawless ebullient hook makes this track fascinatingly resistless.
@Posh Spears (9.5) - We love a cute little summer jam
@ohnostalgia (10) - Daaaaaarling sweeps me up in a haze of swooning romance, knocking me back to the fainting couch like a breathless maiden.
@constantino (10) - This end-of-the-party/morning after ANTHEM, though. Now that I’m actually of drinking age, this has taken up a whole new gravitas for me - it’s like a sonic blanket. I adore this so much and y’all are gonna do it so long I can tell…
@Remorque (9) - This probably needed the most time to grow on me, but I fucking love it now. The general flow and her performance are great and I love the guitar-y production.
@Solenciennes (9) - This is a more straight forward vocal delivery from Santigold lacking in some of the more pronounced vocal tics she’d explored on previous tracks, but I think an album full of Lights Outs would have been pretty rubbish. Nice as a standalone effort in the context of the album.
@Trouble in Paradise (9.5) - I love the energy of this song. She melds the classic surfer song sounds into a modern jam and her voice has such a pleasant softness in the chorus.
Music video/live performances:
#23
Lights Out
8.756
Highest score: 11 x 2 (@happiestgirl, @JamesJupiter)
10 x 10 (@KingBruno, @ohnostalgia, @R92, @LE0Night, @soratami, @Bangers&Bops, @digitalkaiser, @2014, @constantino)
Lowest scores: 6.5 x 1 (@AshleyKerwin)
5.5 x 1 (@BML)
5 x 1 (@paperboyfriendd)
My score: 10
Track background: “Lights Out” is track seven on Santigold’s debut release, and was co-written and co-produced by Santi alongside John Hill. Chris Feinstein contributed their songwriting abilities as well.
It was announced as Santigold’s third single on July 4th, 2008, and subsequently released in the United Kingdom on August 11th, alongside its music video, which was directed by Kim Gehrig and premiered on Pitchfork Media. The music video features a shortened 2:30 edit of the track.
My thoughts: This is one of the more straightforward/traditional/accessible tracks on Santi’s album, and as evidenced by my 10, one of my favorites. I love how much more ‘clean’/smooth her vocal is, especially when paired against the pop/rock-ish production. Then how the vocal completely switches it up for the middle-eight? Sucker for it every time. And the harmonized vocalizing that ends it?
Those 11’s were more than well deserved.
Your thoughts:
@happiestgirl (11) - I just have a thing for apocalyptic songs. Maybe I just relate to the utter despair yet resignation of “there’s no place to run”. This song is so mellow yet panicked and so sad yet upbeat and I find it very hard to describe but it holds a special place in my heart.
@Sprockrooster (9) - Always a bit of a sucker for a prominent poprock beat.
@TRAVVV (9) - A much needed breezy moment on this sonically dark album.
@Jwentz (9) - We love a wistful moment of love whatever
@digitalkaiser (10) - The guitars in this are always so soothing. I love her vocals in the chorus in this, it really feels like one of the quintessential 2008 songs for me. There was always something a bit Tegan & Sara to this song, and I think that’s why I love it so much. “Darling, Don’t got to worry, turn out the light” was kind of a motto back then, except I took it to be self referential as if she was reassuring herself she’ll be okay.
@Bangers&Bops (10) - Besides I’m A Lady and L.E.S. Artistes, this is the song that expanded my horizons of indie music back when I was in the beginning of my 20’s. I’ll always have a special place for it.
@KingBruno (10) - That flawless ebullient hook makes this track fascinatingly resistless.
@Posh Spears (9.5) - We love a cute little summer jam
@ohnostalgia (10) - Daaaaaarling sweeps me up in a haze of swooning romance, knocking me back to the fainting couch like a breathless maiden.
@constantino (10) - This end-of-the-party/morning after ANTHEM, though. Now that I’m actually of drinking age, this has taken up a whole new gravitas for me - it’s like a sonic blanket. I adore this so much and y’all are gonna do it so long I can tell…
@Remorque (9) - This probably needed the most time to grow on me, but I fucking love it now. The general flow and her performance are great and I love the guitar-y production.
@Solenciennes (9) - This is a more straight forward vocal delivery from Santigold lacking in some of the more pronounced vocal tics she’d explored on previous tracks, but I think an album full of Lights Outs would have been pretty rubbish. Nice as a standalone effort in the context of the album.
@Trouble in Paradise (9.5) - I love the energy of this song. She melds the classic surfer song sounds into a modern jam and her voice has such a pleasant softness in the chorus.
Music video/live performances:
And here go the first two.
#23
Lights Out
8.756
Highest score: 11 x 2 (@happiestgirl, @JamesJupiter)
10 x 10 (@KingBruno, @ohnostalgia, @R92, @LE0Night, @soratami, @Bangers&Bops, @digitalkaiser, @2014, @constantino)
Lowest scores: 6.5 x 1 (@AshleyKerwin)
5.5 x 1 (@BML)
5 x 1 (@paperboyfriendd)
My score: 10
Track background: “Lights Out” is track seven on Santigold’s debut release, and was co-written and co-produced by Santi alongside John Hill. Chris Feinstein contributed their songwriting abilities as well.
It was announced as Santigold’s third single on July 4th, 2008, and subsequently released in the United Kingdom on August 11th, alongside its music video, which was directed by Kim Gehrig and premiered on Pitchfork Media. The music video features a shortened 2:30 edit of the track.
My thoughts: This is one of the more straightforward/traditional/accessible tracks on Santi’s album, and as evidenced by my 10, one of my favorites. I love how much more ‘clean’/smooth her vocal is, especially when paired against the pop/rock-ish production. Then how the vocal completely switches it up for the middle-eight? Sucker for it every time. And the harmonized vocalizing that ends it?
Those 11’s were more than well deserved.
Your thoughts:
@happiestgirl (11) - I just have a thing for apocalyptic songs. Maybe I just relate to the utter despair yet resignation of “there’s no place to run”. This song is so mellow yet panicked and so sad yet upbeat and I find it very hard to describe but it holds a special place in my heart.
@Sprockrooster (9) - Always a bit of a sucker for a prominent poprock beat.
@TRAVVV (9) - A much needed breezy moment on this sonically dark album.
@Jwentz (9) - We love a wistful moment of love whatever
@digitalkaiser (10) - The guitars in this are always so soothing. I love her vocals in the chorus in this, it really feels like one of the quintessential 2008 songs for me. There was always something a bit Tegan & Sara to this song, and I think that’s why I love it so much. “Darling, Don’t got to worry, turn out the light” was kind of a motto back then, except I took it to be self referential as if she was reassuring herself she’ll be okay.
@Bangers&Bops (10) - Besides I’m A Lady and L.E.S. Artistes, this is the song that expanded my horizons of indie music back when I was in the beginning of my 20’s. I’ll always have a special place for it.
@KingBruno (10) - That flawless ebullient hook makes this track fascinatingly resistless.
@Posh Spears (9.5) - We love a cute little summer jam
@ohnostalgia (10) - Daaaaaarling sweeps me up in a haze of swooning romance, knocking me back to the fainting couch like a breathless maiden.
@constantino (10) - This end-of-the-party/morning after ANTHEM, though. Now that I’m actually of drinking age, this has taken up a whole new gravitas for me - it’s like a sonic blanket. I adore this so much and y’all are gonna do it so long I can tell…
@Remorque (9) - This probably needed the most time to grow on me, but I fucking love it now. The general flow and her performance are great and I love the guitar-y production.
@Solenciennes (9) - This is a more straight forward vocal delivery from Santigold lacking in some of the more pronounced vocal tics she’d explored on previous tracks, but I think an album full of Lights Outs would have been pretty rubbish. Nice as a standalone effort in the context of the album.
@Trouble in Paradise (9.5) - I love the energy of this song. She melds the classic surfer song sounds into a modern jam and her voice has such a pleasant softness in the chorus.
Music video/live performances:
It may be because of the song's sound and attitude.
It may be because of Santi's ska history.
It is exactly what I expected a Gwen Stefani debut solo single to sound like (though I would never take away What You Waiting For in a million years).
Mr.Arroz
Staff member
he/him/his
And another sting.
#22
I’m a Lady (feat. Trouble Andrew)
8.769
Highest score: 11 x 1 (@2014)
10 x 13 (@1991, @Trouble in Paradise, @happiestgirl, @ohnostalgia, @kermit_the_frog, @JamesJupiter, @lalaclairi_, @Bangers&Bops, @digitalkaiser, @constantino, @Sprockrooster)
Lowest scores: 5 x 3 (@BML, @theelusivechanteuse. @paperboyfriendd)
My score: 10
Track background: "I'm a Lady" falls near the end of Santigold's tracklist, as song number ten. Santi's husband, Trouble Andrew, joins her on vocals, providing the album's second and final feature during the song's middle-eight. The same team behind "Lights Out" contributed here, with Trouble Andrew assisting with writing as well.
There is a remix with labelmate and fellow Philadelphian Amanda Blank, but the less said about that, and her, well... the better.
Moving on~
My thoughts: There are seriously days where I flip between this and "L.E.S. Artistes" as her best single and song period. I think this goes even further in the territory that "Lights Out" first introduces on the album, working, like other posters commented, as a palate cleanser from some of the darker sounds pushed forward across the album. There's something wistful about the production, especially when one glances over the lyrics, which are defiant in word, but soft and warm in tone. It sucks seeing these go at the same stage.
Your thoughts:
@Sprockrooster (10) - Very easy on the ears for a track on this album. I am wondering if radio would have eaten this up if it was released. That dark voice from Trouble Andrew fits the vocal sound of Santigold so well.
@TRAVVV (7) - I could hear this on a Lucinda Williams or Neko Case album. I love that Santigold’s black girl magic doesn’t limit itself to R&B. Like most artists in this rate, she clearly isn’t afraid to sing across different soundscapes. She’s probably the most successful at that.
@Jwentz (10) - One of my favorite choruses in the whole rate
@digitalkaiser (10) - YAS the guitars on this, her vocals are so on point. I love that this comes at the end of the album, providing us with an anthemic country infused alternative bop after the more electronic Starstruk and Unstoppable. “I’m a layDEEEE, Gotmymindmadeup Gotmymindmadeup” is probably one of my favorite vocal stylings on the album. This is another defiant song that I resonated with at the time, It really helped me build confidence after being broken down.
@Bangers&Bops (10) - Literally one of my top favorite songs ever. I was really close to giving it my coveted 11 spot. Her vocals on here are just so lush and the way she sings “I’m a lady” in a high soft tone always struck out to me her way of telling the world that she’s a woman that’s going to get shit done regardless of how life treats her.
@Posh Spears (9.5) - Something about this just feels so nostalgic. A very very sweet song.
@ohnostalgia (10) - “She’s so fine/ don’t tell your boyfriend to hold his breath for me.” Oh my god... this is another sapphic song, isn’t it??? You know what, I don’t even care. I have claimed this song for queer women and you can’t stop me.
@constantino (10) - Much like Lights Out, this feels like a palette cleanser between the density and intensity of the album’s more experimental moments. This is like a sonic hot water bottle and I absolutely adore it for that.
@Remorque (9) - Probably the most straight up pop-into-new-wave song on the album. I love it. She sounds effortlessly cool and makes a fucking statement without making a lot of noise.
@Solenciennes (9.5) - I like this, it would have made for a pretty great album closer I think.
@Trouble in Paradise (10) - I still love this song so much. The chugging guitar in the verses releases so well into the chorus. Santi's vocals here are impeccable. And I haven't even gotten to how awesome the lyrics are!
Live performances:
#22
I’m a Lady (feat. Trouble Andrew)
8.769
Highest score: 11 x 1 (@2014)
10 x 13 (@1991, @Trouble in Paradise, @happiestgirl, @ohnostalgia, @kermit_the_frog, @JamesJupiter, @lalaclairi_, @Bangers&Bops, @digitalkaiser, @constantino, @Sprockrooster)
Lowest scores: 5 x 3 (@BML, @theelusivechanteuse. @paperboyfriendd)
My score: 10
Track background: "I'm a Lady" falls near the end of Santigold's tracklist, as song number ten. Santi's husband, Trouble Andrew, joins her on vocals, providing the album's second and final feature during the song's middle-eight. The same team behind "Lights Out" contributed here, with Trouble Andrew assisting with writing as well.
There is a remix with labelmate and fellow Philadelphian Amanda Blank, but the less said about that, and her, well... the better.
Moving on~
My thoughts: There are seriously days where I flip between this and "L.E.S. Artistes" as her best single and song period. I think this goes even further in the territory that "Lights Out" first introduces on the album, working, like other posters commented, as a palate cleanser from some of the darker sounds pushed forward across the album. There's something wistful about the production, especially when one glances over the lyrics, which are defiant in word, but soft and warm in tone. It sucks seeing these go at the same stage.
Your thoughts:
@Sprockrooster (10) - Very easy on the ears for a track on this album. I am wondering if radio would have eaten this up if it was released. That dark voice from Trouble Andrew fits the vocal sound of Santigold so well.
@TRAVVV (7) - I could hear this on a Lucinda Williams or Neko Case album. I love that Santigold’s black girl magic doesn’t limit itself to R&B. Like most artists in this rate, she clearly isn’t afraid to sing across different soundscapes. She’s probably the most successful at that.
@Jwentz (10) - One of my favorite choruses in the whole rate
@digitalkaiser (10) - YAS the guitars on this, her vocals are so on point. I love that this comes at the end of the album, providing us with an anthemic country infused alternative bop after the more electronic Starstruk and Unstoppable. “I’m a layDEEEE, Gotmymindmadeup Gotmymindmadeup” is probably one of my favorite vocal stylings on the album. This is another defiant song that I resonated with at the time, It really helped me build confidence after being broken down.
@Bangers&Bops (10) - Literally one of my top favorite songs ever. I was really close to giving it my coveted 11 spot. Her vocals on here are just so lush and the way she sings “I’m a lady” in a high soft tone always struck out to me her way of telling the world that she’s a woman that’s going to get shit done regardless of how life treats her.
@Posh Spears (9.5) - Something about this just feels so nostalgic. A very very sweet song.
@ohnostalgia (10) - “She’s so fine/ don’t tell your boyfriend to hold his breath for me.” Oh my god... this is another sapphic song, isn’t it??? You know what, I don’t even care. I have claimed this song for queer women and you can’t stop me.
@constantino (10) - Much like Lights Out, this feels like a palette cleanser between the density and intensity of the album’s more experimental moments. This is like a sonic hot water bottle and I absolutely adore it for that.
@Remorque (9) - Probably the most straight up pop-into-new-wave song on the album. I love it. She sounds effortlessly cool and makes a fucking statement without making a lot of noise.
@Solenciennes (9.5) - I like this, it would have made for a pretty great album closer I think.
@Trouble in Paradise (10) - I still love this song so much. The chugging guitar in the verses releases so well into the chorus. Santi's vocals here are impeccable. And I haven't even gotten to how awesome the lyrics are!
Live performances:
Lol we losing three eleven's tomorrow
And here go the first two.
#23
Lights Out
8.756
Highest score: 11 x 2 (@happiestgirl, @JamesJupiter)
10 x 10 (@KingBruno, @ohnostalgia, @R92, @LE0Night, @soratami, @Bangers&Bops, @digitalkaiser, @2014, @constantino)
Lowest scores: 6.5 x 1 (@AshleyKerwin)
5.5 x 1 (@BML)
5 x 1 (@paperboyfriendd)
My score: 10
Track background: “Lights Out” is track seven on Santigold’s debut release, and was co-written and co-produced by Santi alongside John Hill. Chris Feinstein contributed their songwriting abilities as well.
It was announced as Santigold’s third single on July 4th, 2008, and subsequently released in the United Kingdom on August 11th, alongside its music video, which was directed by Kim Gehrig and premiered on Pitchfork Media. The music video features a shortened 2:30 edit of the track.
My thoughts: This is one of the more straightforward/traditional/accessible tracks on Santi’s album, and as evidenced by my 10, one of my favorites. I love how much more ‘clean’/smooth her vocal is, especially when paired against the pop/rock-ish production. Then how the vocal completely switches it up for the middle-eight? Sucker for it every time. And the harmonized vocalizing that ends it?
Those 11’s were more than well deserved.
Your thoughts:
@happiestgirl (11) - I just have a thing for apocalyptic songs. Maybe I just relate to the utter despair yet resignation of “there’s no place to run”. This song is so mellow yet panicked and so sad yet upbeat and I find it very hard to describe but it holds a special place in my heart.
@Sprockrooster (9) - Always a bit of a sucker for a prominent poprock beat.
@TRAVVV (9) - A much needed breezy moment on this sonically dark album.
@Jwentz (9) - We love a wistful moment of love whatever
@digitalkaiser (10) - The guitars in this are always so soothing. I love her vocals in the chorus in this, it really feels like one of the quintessential 2008 songs for me. There was always something a bit Tegan & Sara to this song, and I think that’s why I love it so much. “Darling, Don’t got to worry, turn out the light” was kind of a motto back then, except I took it to be self referential as if she was reassuring herself she’ll be okay.
@Bangers&Bops (10) - Besides I’m A Lady and L.E.S. Artistes, this is the song that expanded my horizons of indie music back when I was in the beginning of my 20’s. I’ll always have a special place for it.
@KingBruno (10) - That flawless ebullient hook makes this track fascinatingly resistless.
@Posh Spears (9.5) - We love a cute little summer jam
@ohnostalgia (10) - Daaaaaarling sweeps me up in a haze of swooning romance, knocking me back to the fainting couch like a breathless maiden.
@constantino (10) - This end-of-the-party/morning after ANTHEM, though. Now that I’m actually of drinking age, this has taken up a whole new gravitas for me - it’s like a sonic blanket. I adore this so much and y’all are gonna do it so long I can tell…
@Remorque (9) - This probably needed the most time to grow on me, but I fucking love it now. The general flow and her performance are great and I love the guitar-y production.
@Solenciennes (9) - This is a more straight forward vocal delivery from Santigold lacking in some of the more pronounced vocal tics she’d explored on previous tracks, but I think an album full of Lights Outs would have been pretty rubbish. Nice as a standalone effort in the context of the album.
@Trouble in Paradise (9.5) - I love the energy of this song. She melds the classic surfer song sounds into a modern jam and her voice has such a pleasant softness in the chorus.
And another sting.
#22
I’m a Lady (feat. Trouble Andrew)
8.769
Highest score: 11 x 1 (@2014)
10 x 13 (@1991, @Trouble in Paradise, @happiestgirl, @ohnostalgia, @kermit_the_frog, @JamesJupiter, @lalaclairi_, @Bangers&Bops, @digitalkaiser, @constantino, @Sprockrooster)
Lowest scores: 5 x 3 (@BML, @theelusivechanteuse. @paperboyfriendd)
My score: 10
Track background: "I'm a Lady" falls near the end of Santigold's tracklist, as song number ten. Santi's husband, Trouble Andrew, joins her on vocals, providing the album's second and final feature during the song's middle-eight. The same team behind "Lights Out" contributed here, with Trouble Andrew assisting with writing as well.
There is a remix with labelmate and fellow Philadelphian Amanda Blank, but the less said about that, and her, well... the better.
Moving on~
My thoughts: There are seriously days where I flip between this and "L.E.S. Artistes" as her best single and song period. I think this goes even further in the territory that "Lights Out" first introduces on the album, working, like other posters commented, as a palate cleanser from some of the darker sounds pushed forward across the album. There's something wistful about the production, especially when one glances over the lyrics, which are defiant in word, but soft and warm in tone. It sucks seeing these go at the same stage.
Your thoughts:
@Sprockrooster (10) - Very easy on the ears for a track on this album. I am wondering if radio would have eaten this up if it was released. That dark voice from Trouble Andrew fits the vocal sound of Santigold so well.
@TRAVVV (7) - I could hear this on a Lucinda Williams or Neko Case album. I love that Santigold’s black girl magic doesn’t limit itself to R&B. Like most artists in this rate, she clearly isn’t afraid to sing across different soundscapes. She’s probably the most successful at that.
@Jwentz (10) - One of my favorite choruses in the whole rate
@digitalkaiser (10) - YAS the guitars on this, her vocals are so on point. I love that this comes at the end of the album, providing us with an anthemic country infused alternative bop after the more electronic Starstruk and Unstoppable. “I’m a layDEEEE, Gotmymindmadeup Gotmymindmadeup” is probably one of my favorite vocal stylings on the album. This is another defiant song that I resonated with at the time, It really helped me build confidence after being broken down.
@Bangers&Bops (10) - Literally one of my top favorite songs ever. I was really close to giving it my coveted 11 spot. Her vocals on here are just so lush and the way she sings “I’m a lady” in a high soft tone always struck out to me her way of telling the world that she’s a woman that’s going to get shit done regardless of how life treats her.
@Posh Spears (9.5) - Something about this just feels so nostalgic. A very very sweet song.
@ohnostalgia (10) - “She’s so fine/ don’t tell your boyfriend to hold his breath for me.” Oh my god... this is another sapphic song, isn’t it??? You know what, I don’t even care. I have claimed this song for queer women and you can’t stop me.
@constantino (10) - Much like Lights Out, this feels like a palette cleanser between the density and intensity of the album’s more experimental moments. This is like a sonic hot water bottle and I absolutely adore it for that.
@Remorque (9) - Probably the most straight up pop-into-new-wave song on the album. I love it. She sounds effortlessly cool and makes a fucking statement without making a lot of noise.
@Solenciennes (9.5) - I like this, it would have made for a pretty great album closer I think.
@Trouble in Paradise (10) - I still love this song so much. The chugging guitar in the verses releases so well into the chorus. Santi's vocals here are impeccable. And I haven't even gotten to how awesome the lyrics are!
Live performances:
I guess with so many amazing tracks remaining, this is where we are.
Why three?