We're just a few weeks into 2016 so far but we already have one of the best pop songs of the year with the release of Santigold's single, "Chasing Shadows," off her forthcoming release, 99¢.
Her album, the follow-up to 2012's Master Of My Make-Believe, was slated for release next week but has since been pushed back for unknown reasons. This release follows previous debuts of "Can't Get Enough Of Myself" and "Who Be Lovin' Me" (featuring iLoveMakonnen).
"Chasing Shadows" is by far the most radio friendly of the three songs but it's also just a masterfully crafted pop song intermixing some simple piano and drum beats with her reggae style singing and rapping.
The video, produced by Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij and directed by Elliot Lester, is equally devastating as she sings around her home spending the holiday alone in front of the TV screen and playing tea party with herself.
In a statement about the video she said: "'Chasing Shadows' is about with the conflicted reality of an artist's life. Caught in the web we spin around ourselves, a mixture of hubris and the guise of perfection, we fear being swallowed up by our own ambition. Never in the moment, as quickly as we reach our goals, our gaze shifts to those still looming in the distance. We judge ourselves harshly for not being further on the path and revel in the anxiety of racing the rate of consumption. The lyrics weigh the value of going against the current to maintain artistic integrity, and the feelings of isolation and vacancy bred by a persona that is always "on" and ready for show."
As a Tidal exclusive video, you can view it on the service if you have a subscription or visit Vice's Noisy to check it out. Below you can watch the video for "Who Be Lovin' Me."
