Rapper J. Cole had one of the best protest albums of 2018 (So Far). Photo Credit: Kee1992
The current political climate has become a fertile breeding ground for protest music. Even artists that are generally not known for their politics are writing music that is becoming more socially conscious. The times we live in makes it increasingly difficult to remain apolitical. With that in mind, it should be no surprise that 2018 has already produced, a plethora of albums that have made significant contributions to the canon of protest songs. Right now we’ll look at 30 of them.
30: Manifesto – The Discarded
Veteran Canadian indie musician Joel Wasson and his two sons Jared and Caden play kickass old school garage punk. The ten tracks on Manifesto features infectious energy blended with an inspiring socially conscious message. The tunes deal with issues of anti-conformity and anti-capitalism. These anthems rock with righteous defiance.
Previously featured “Do You Want It Now?” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
29: Fight Back – D.O.A.
The 17th studio album of the Canadian hardcore veterans features their trademark no hold barred political attack. The song tackles issues of government and police corruption and encourages their listeners to take a stand. The music lives up to the band’s motto “Talk Minus Action Equals Zero.”
Previously featured “You Need An Ass Kickin’ Right Now” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
28: Dom Flemons Presents Black Cowboys – Dom Flemons
As a founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Flemons played an important role in purveying traditional folk music. On Black Cowboys, the noted musician and music historian sets out to relate the often forgotten history of the role of African Americans in helping to pioneer America during the Wild West period. He does this through originals and often forgotten traditional tunes. Appropriately released through Smithsonian Folkways, Flemons plays the role of archivists in preserving these traditional sounds. Even though not a direct protest album, it is a project which challenges certain inaccurate stereotypes as it relates to the Black American experience during the old west.
27: Fear of a Brown Planet – Brownout
This instrumental reworking of Public Enemy’s tunes named after Public Enemy’s 1990’s classic Fear of a Black Planet by the Latino funk rock outfit hits hard. Even without lyrics, the band’s potent brand of ’70s inspired funk sounds revolutionary. The tunes certainly resonate in the wake of American xenophobia.
26: Whistle Down the Wind – Joan Baez
The legendary folk singer and activist released her first album in a decade. She impeccably interprets compositions from artists including Tom Waits, Josh Ritter, Anohni, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Joe Henry. In the current time of turmoil, it just feels right to have a new album of socially conscious tunes from Baez. She is still a vital voice.
Previously featured “The Great Correction” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
25: Remain In Light – Angélique Kidjo
The influential Beninese singer and activist re-imagined The Talking Heads 1980 classic Remain In The Light. The original was already heavily influenced by the music of West Africa. Kidjo took the afrobeat elements and expanded them even further. Even though the original album wasn’t blatantly political much of the lyrical content was socially conscious and much of the material provided commentary on material excesses (such as “Once in a Lifetime”) and there were some references to governmental oppression (such as “Born Under Punches”). Kidjo’s arrangement are well suited to the lyrical message and her reworking definitely sounds vital.
Previously featured “Born Under Punches” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
24: Friends. Lovers. Favorites. – The HIRS Collective
The debut album from the Philadelphia grindcore collective features 20 blistering tunes in 15 minutes (there is also a B-side which includes their 2016 EP, Yøu Can’t Kill Us and a remix EP, Yøu Can Remix Us ). The rapid blasts of aggression is a rally for trans and queer rights. The album features several notable contributions including Laura Jane Grace, Alice Bag and Shirley Manson.
23: Tiny House Warriors Vol. 1 – Various
Tiny House Warriors Vol. 1 is a compilation benefit album in support of the Tiny House Warriors who serve the role of protecting the Secwepemc Territory in British Columbia, Canada from the Kinder Morgan TransMountain pipeline expansion. Not only do the proceeds support a good cause, but it is also an eclectic collection of 41 socially conscious tunes, including notable contributions from several indigenous artists.
Previously featured album track “The Warriors” by Snotty Nose Rez Kids as a Daily Dose of Protest.
22: Medicaid Fraud Dogg – Parliament
Parliament’s first album in 38 years is an ambitious 23 song concept album where George Clinton protests big pharma and the side effects of prescription drug addiction. The songs also address issues such as the high cost of health insurance and Trump’s opposition to Planned Parenthood (“Insurance Man”). The album also deals with metaphorical sicknesses such as addiction to social media (“Antisocial Media”). The funky album gets a bit weird at times, but it is weird in the best possible way. This collection of cosmic oddities is a thoughtful examination of a corrupt system which profits from exploiting sick people.
Previously featured “I’m Gon Make U Sick O’Me” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
21: Everything Was Beautiful And Nothing Hurt – Moby
After releasing two punk-tinged albums with the Void Pacific Choir, Moby went back to a more melancholy trip-hop sound for his 15th studio album. His previous two albums were heavily influenced by the 2016 US Presidential election and the resulting Trump aftermath. This album is more of an examination of the human condition and it is a reminder that as humans our history of messing things up predates Trump. Even though many of the tunes have a somber dystopian feel there are still moments of hope.
Previously featured “Mere Anarchy” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
20: The Prodigal Son – Ry Cooder
Cooder’s 16th studio album features 3 originals and 8 interpretations of old spirituals. The tunes provide poignant social commentary of the times we are living in. The songs deal with the way we treat foreigners, gentrification, religious hypocrisy, greed, along with other issues dealing with the human condition. Cooder successfully provides his insightful observations without coming across as preachy.
Previously featured “Everybody Ought to Treat a Stranger Right” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
19: All At Once – Screaming Females
Marissa Paternoster’s vocal and guitar chops are in prime form on the punk trios 7th studio album. Lyrically there is an understanding of the human condition. Also, a number of tunes touched upon issues of autonomy and control of one’s body and personal choices. It is an empowering soundtrack of willful defiance.
18: From Kindness, A Rebel -River Whyless
As the title of the album implies, acts of rebellion don’t need to be motivated by anger. At times showing kindness and human decency can be a powerful way to rebel against societal norms. Even though the music of the North Carolina indie-folk band is mellow, lyrically there is plenty of insightful social commentary on the American experiment and the illusion of the elusive American dream.
Previously featured “Born In The Right Country” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
17: Blackie: A Story By Roy Kinsey – Roy Kinsey
Blackie is a compelling concept album by Chicago indie rapper Roy Kinsey. The tunes examine the black experience during the three waves of the great migration. It highlights how the US has progressed from sharecropping to lynching to police brutality. The songs also deal with his personal experience of being a black queer man in America. Many of the songs also contain musical elements that resemble old field recordings which is well suited for the story telling vibe of the album.
16: Coloured – Priscillia Renea
“Coloured” is a compelling mix of country and soul. The fact that Renea is a black female country singer who chooses to write tunes based on her life experiences adds a unique dynamic to a prominently white genre. The very act of going against the grain with her musical genre choices could already be considered a defiant act of protest, but a number of the tunes also provide poignant commentary on the Black American experience.
Previously featured “Land of the Free” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
15: Please Don’t Be Dead – Fantastic Negrito
Please Don’t Be Dead isn’t just a scorching album of bluesy rock, but Negrito also displays a keen awareness of societal ills. He rallies against guns, censorship, overconsumption, systemic racism and gender inequality. Negirto’s voice is one of a weathered survivor who continues to solider on in the face of adversity. His music is timely and essential.
Previously featured “Plastic Hamburgers” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
14: Cocoa Sugar – Young Fathers
The Scottish alternative hip-hop trio uses avant-garde musical arrangements and abstract lyrics to provide stirring commentary on the tumultuous state of world affairs. The darkness of the album is balanced out with brief glimmers of hope. The album is a poignant reflection of the times we’re living.
Previously featured “Toy” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
13: ABOMINATION – Divide and Dissolve
For the Australian female instrumental metal duo their efforts to decolonize a male-dominated genre already make their music an act of protest. With tunes such as “Assimilation”, “Cultural Extermination” and ” Indigenous Sovereignty”, Divide and Dissolve don’t need lyrics to make powerful statements on black empowerment and indigenous rights. The duo wails with a righteous heaviness which speaks volumes.
12: I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life – Tune-Yards
On Tune-Yards 4th album, front woman Merrill Garbus grapples with white privilege and cultural appropriation. The songs are part of the process of Garbus coming to grips with her privilege and how to use it to be a true ally to those who are discriminated against. Also in the past, Garbus has been accused of cultural appropriation with her music, so this album is also a means of her to acknowledge her shortcomings and try to make amends. Tune-Yards collection of woken dance tunes are one of the most 2018 albums released this year.
Previously featured “ABC 123” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
11: The Importance of Self Belief – McKinley Dixon
The Importance of Self Belief is the 2nd installment of a planned trilogy. It builds upon themes explored on his 2016 debut Who Taught You to Hate Yourself?. Dixon raps articulate verses over a jazzy soundtrack provided by over 30 talented musicians. The tunes explore themes that include black on black violence, police brutality, gender inequality, and systemic poverty. It is an inspiring work of art which conveys a powerful message.
Previously featured “Circle The Block” as Daily Dose of Protest.
10: Wide Awake – Parquet Courts
The New York indie band’s 6th album is heavily influenced by the current political climate. The tunes address issues such as violence, white privilege, propaganda, and climate change. The tunes are catchy and they deftly balance justifiable anger with a positive optimism.
Previously featured “Almost Had To Start A Fight / In And Out Of Patience” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
9: Capture The Flag – War On Women
Capture The Flag is an onslaught of political ferocity. The feminist hardcore outfit sets out to demolish gender stereotypes and it tackles issues such as gun control, arm-chair activism, female genital mutilation and a women’s agency over their own body. Their music is an uncompromising act of defiance.
Previously featured “Anarcha” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
8: Blueprint – Alice Bag
Veteran Punk artist and feminist activist use the idea of construction blueprints as a metaphor of how we as citizens build our lives and the world that we live in. The tunes deal with subjects including ageism and racial and gender inequality. The eclectic album is also heavily influenced by her Chicana heritage. The music conveys an optimism that her songs will be a catalyst for positive social change.
Previously featured “77” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
7: Black Times – Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
The youngest son of legendary afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti is provided with skilled backing from Fela’s former band Egypt 80. Just like his father, Kuti’s songs are highly political and take aim at the governmental corruption in Nigeria. Even though Kuti may have his own country in mind, the themes explored on the album are universal. Government regimes that exploit the poor in favor of the rich exist throughout the globe. Countries engaging in the politics and business of war is also a worldwide concern. In many ways, the album is a rallying cry against the 1% that control most of the world’s wealth. The infectious funky beats add weight to the potency of the lyrical message.
6: In A Poem Unlimited – U.S. Girls
The experimental pop of Meghan Remy explores several social concerns. Her brand of political dance tunes explores subject ranging from drone violence, violence against woman, sexual misconduct of people in power, the murder of First Nations people, unsafe working conditions and a range of other subjects. The music is the perfect blend of ambitious and subversive.
5: Be More Kind – Frank Turner
The 7th studio album from English folk punker is probably both his most accessible and most socially conscious. Instead of expressing nihilistic anger over world conditions it is an album that holds out optimism that lasting change is possible.
Previously 5 songs off of the album as a Daily Dose of Protest.
4: KOD – J. Cole
KOD is the ambitious 5th studio album from rapper J. Cole. According to Cole, KOD is an acronym for Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed and Kill Our Demons. As those three titles suggest, KOD tackles drugs, addiction, and personal demons. The theme of addiction goes beyond just drugs, for example, the tune “ATM” is an abbreviation for “Addicted To Money”. Also, multiple tracks explore the theme of social media addiction. Cole is a compelling story-teller who skillfully grapples with difficult subjects.
3: What a Time To Be Alive – Superchunk
The election of Trump is responsible for the indie rock veterans most political album to date. The tunes all thematically deal with trying to survive and process what is happening in Trump’s America. The album accomplishes the feat of addressing dire times without being dire to listen to. The album feels urgent and it is a much-needed outlet in dealing with the current chaos.
Previously featured “What a Time To Be Alive” and “Cloud of Hate” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
2: How To Socialize & Make Friends – Camp Cope
The sophomore album from Australian all-female indie rock trio is an impeccable blend of melodic rage. Much of the band’s poignant social commentary comes from the vulnerability of sharing personal experiences. These experiences range from dealing with the attitudes of tokenism within the music business to experiencing real moments of #MeToo. Camp Cope ferociously attacks misogyny and are poised to lead a revolution set to dismantle the patriarchy.
Previously featured “The Opener” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
1: Everything’s Fine – Jean Grae & Quelle Chris
When people ask how you’re doing, instead of being honest about the stresses and anxieties we’re facing we lie and say “everything’s fine”. On the collaboration of the married hip-hop duo, Everything’s Fine is being used sarcastically as part of the album’s witty and biting satire. The tunes make it clear that it is OK not to be fine. Confronting current political realities head-on with honesty and decisive action is therapeutic. The album’s blend of inventive beats and razor-sharp humor is a much-needed prescription for dealing with the times we are living in.
Previously featured “Gold Purple Orange” as a Daily Dose of Protest.