Santhosam

Santhosam is the debut studio album by Swiss-Tamil singer-songwriter Priya Ragu. It was released on 20 October 2023 through Warner.

Santhosam
Studio album by
Priya Ragu
Released20 October 2023 (2023-10-20)
Length40:15
LabelWarner
ProducerJaphna Gold
Priya Ragu chronology
damnshestamil
(2021)		 Santhosam
(2023)
Singles from Santhosam
  1. "Adalam Va!"
    Released: 5 October 2022
  2. "Easy"
    Released: 4 July 2023
  3. "Vacation"
    Released: 16 August 2023

Background

Santhosam was named after the Tamil word for "Happiness".[1] Ragu recorded the album with her brother and producer Japhna Gold. It tells Ragu's "story of finding happiness" that helped her find her own "purpose in life" and hoped it would help others as well.[2] Ragu sought out artist Manuja Waldia to paint the artwork and explained that it is supposed to reflect her heritage Jaffna, Sri Lanka as well as her home Switzerland in the form of mountains.[3] She announced the project on 16 August 2023, accompanied by the release of the second single "Vacation". The song finds her taking a break from the tour life and allows herself to "recharge [her] batteries".[4] Ahead of the announcement, the singer-songwriter released the songs "Easy" on 4 July and "Adalam Va!" on 5 October 2022.[5]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic84/100[6]
Review scores
SourceRating
DIY[3]
Line of Best Fit8/10[7]
NME[8]
The Skinny[9]

Santhosam received a score of 84 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on four critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[6] Ed Lawson of DIY wondered why the album did not come out in the early Summer, as it is so "sonically buoyant". Lawson found that the record lives up to its title "happiness".[3] Sam Franzini of Line of Best Fit argued that the magic of her debut mixtape damnshestamil has not "yet vanished". Franzini called the final outcome as the release of "an artist's overflowing creativity".[7]

NME writer Kayleigh Watson saw the album as a recording of "hope for society and oneself" and an invitation to listeners to "join [Ragu] on a spiritual quest to be free".[8] Anita Bhadani of The Skinny called Santhosam a "testament to finding your own joy and inner contentment" and opined that Ragu had "fully arrived", building a "distinctive space of her own".[9]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Priya Ragu and Japhna Gold

Santhosam track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Ammama's Note"0:18
2."School Me Like That"2:35
3."One Way Ticket"2:57
4."Hit the Bucket"2:55
5."Black Goose"2:33
6."Let Me Breathe (Reprise)"2:21
7."Vacation"2:29
8."Easy"2:26
9."Adalam Va!"2:22
10."CornerStore"2:38
11."Uyire"3:26
12."Power"2:55
13."Escape"2:48
14."Lovely Day"2:58
15."Mani Osai"4:34
Total length:40:15

References
  1. Jamieson, Sarah (16 August 2023). "Priya Ragu announces debut album Santhosam". DIY. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  2. Ackroyd, Stephen (16 August 2023). "Priya Ragu has announced her debut album, Santhosam: "It helped me find my purpose in life"". Dork. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  3. Lawson, Ed (20 October 2023). "Priya Ragu - Santhosam". DIY. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  4. Richards, Will (16 August 2023). "Priya Ragu announces debut album Santhosam". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  5. Kelly, Tyler Damara (4 July 2023). "Priya Ragu returns with the brand new track "Easy"". Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  6. "Santhosam by Priya Ragu Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  7. Franzini, Sam (20 October 2023). "Priya Ragu's energy and innovation hits new heights on Santhosam". Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  8. Watson, Kayleigh (19 October 2023). "Priya Ragu – Santhosam review: a colourful, spiritual call for freedom". NME. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  9. Bhadani, Anita (17 October 2023). "Priya Ragu – Santhosam". The Skinny. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
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