With the year coming to the close now is a good time to do some year-end cleanup. This includes getting caught up on my emails. Here are some suggestions for songs and artists that have appeared in my inbox but I haven’t had a chance to feature yet. If you are an artist, representative or fan, and you feel that a certain socially conscious song or artist deserves a spotlight, please feel free to contact.
Aliens – Frank Hamilton
The latest video for the recent single from the UK songwriter is a catchy indie-pop satirical critique of world leaders and the current state of world affairs.
Grenada – Cashing In
Cashing In is a Baltimore based political, tongue-in-cheek punk band. “Grenada” draws similarities between the 1983 American invasion of Grenada and the Trump administration’s push for a regime change in nearby Venezuela. It is featured on the band’s recently released EP-2. All four of the tracks explore political themes.
…Because I Was Born A Girl – The Last Folk Singer
The Last Folk Singer is the moniker of Camille Barr an Australian poet and singer-songwriter. After establishing herself for her socially conscious poetry, in 2019 she started to transition into music with the release of two singles, “A Little Gypsy Song” and “…Because I Was Born A Girl.”
Concerning “…Because I Was Born A Girl,” Barr made the following statement: “So this song is referring to the realisation that the patriarchal system still exists within our culture and that it is a system that not only limits women’s opportunities but it is a system that is limiting human potential as a whole. It is very empowering to be able to recognise what you are up against because it provides the opportunity to question it and ultimately challenge it. Women hold the power to change the patriarchal system of doing things and this song is just as much about recognising that power.”
Take It Back – Soul Glitch
Soul Glitch is the socially conscious electro-pop project of California based musician Nicholas Hasty. On his website, he made the following statement: “When I began the Soul Glitch project I intended to embrace themes of social, political and personal challenges and growth. I truly believe we cannot evolve into our higher selves without facing adversity. For this evolution to take place we also need each other. After all, whether we want to admit this or not, all of humanity is interdependent. There is great beauty and power when we work as a collective for the good of all. “
“Take It Back” was specifically written in response to the Brett Kavanaugh Senate Hearings. Soul Glitch’s full-length debut is due out in the spring of 2020.
The Billionaires – Dave Cofell
Starting in May 2019, singer-songwriter Dave Cofell started a project to perform his song “The Billionaires,” in all 50 U.S. states. As of November, he performed in seventeen states, and he is scheduled to complete his goal by May 2020 in his home state of Minnesota. Also during a successful tour of Germany, the song was translated into German for radio airplay.
Cobra Dear Heart – The Mighty Avon Jnr.
The Mighty Avon Jnr. is a project of Irish filmmaker and musician Daragh McCarthy. Both the video and song have a dark cinematic feel which is well suited to the song’s anti-war machine message. The song is off the 2018 debut album Hold Everything Dear, which is also worth a listen.
Also posted below is a playlist of 2019 released protest songs featuring tunes and artists that were featured on this site.