It has been another crazy month. The ongoing Corona pandemic has been compounded by the tragic events surrounding the senseless murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minnesota Police Department. Fuck racism and fuck racist cops.
Right now we will sample some notable socially conscious music that was released during the month. At least we have music to provide an outlet to help deal with and process the chaos.
Songs/Videos
Louis Rive – Whitewashing
Louis Rive is a Scottish singer-writer who is currently stranded in Barcelona. In response to the current pandemic he has been inspired to write a couple of song indicting the government’s response to the current crisis, which includes the timely “Whitewashing.”
Jyoti – This Walk
Jyoti is the name of the solo jazz project of singer-songwriter and producer Georgia Anne Muldrow. The third Jyoti album Mama, You Can Bet! is set to be released on August 28. She has released the powerful first single “This Walk”, which according to Muldrow is about how “violence can both ignite and snuff out a voice.”
David Rovics – As I Watch Minneapolis Burn
Veteran singer-songwriter and activist David Rovics is known to compose topical tunes in response to current events. It should come as no surprise that he provided his musical commentary on the events surrounding the murder of George Floyd.
Campfire Bob – Sacramental Mouthwash
Don’t know too much about Campfire Bob, but I’m really digging this tune. The following info was provided to me: “Sacramental Mouthwash is a hardcore protest song. The song was recorded in a home with the musicians spread out across the house. We did not have headphones so we had to set up in a way so we could hear each other. The percussionist was in the kitchen and started off by playing on the tabletop, before moving to jars of dried beans. It was so much fun to record and to be with friends on this day. We shared respect for the values, questions, and issues, discussed in this song.”
Kapil Seshasayee – The Gharial
“The Gharial” is the latest single off the upcoming sophomore album Laal by art rocker Kapil Seshasayee. The tune is a scathing indictment of Bollywood profiting off nationalism, especially in connection with religious identity. The song is titled after a type of crocodile that is viewed as sacred in traditional Hindu mythology. An example of what Seshasayee is addressing is the recent hit Bollywood film Tanjhaji which depicts a cartoonishly “evil” antagonist roasting and eating a crocodile. Such films only serve to further the divide caused by current issues, such as India’s Citizenship Amendment Act & the Coronavirus pandemic.
Steven Keene – Save Yourself
“Save Yourself” is a blistering blues-rock jam which resonates during the time of Corona. Notable lyric includes “there’s far too little peace and far too much green.”
Fantastic Negrito – How Long?
“How Long?” is the latest single off the blues artist upcoming album Have You Lost Your Mind Yet? which is slated for an August 14. The poignant tune well articulates the frustration felt by Black Americans over systemic racism.
The 1975 – The 1975
The opening track off The 1975 recently released album Notes on a Conditional Form features spoken word by climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Pussy Riot – НОЖ / KNIFE
The deceptively poppy tune by the Russian activist collective tells the story of a woman who kills the man who tries to rape her. The end of the video provides some statistics in connection with sexual violence and domestic abuse.
Pussy Riot (featuring Parcas, Dillom & Muerejoven) – 1312
The latest from the Russian collective is a musical departure from “НОЖ / KNIFE”, featuring a harsher sound which is well suited to the song’s subject matter. Posted on May 29, the song and video which protest police brutality takes on even greater weight with recent events.
Albums
American Aquarium – Lamentations
The latest album by the alt-country band is a socially aware collection of songs which tap into the human condition while lamenting the death of the American Dream.
Ryan Harvey – You Have No Country
The veteran activist and folk-punk artist’s latest album features the political directness that he is known for. Previously featured the album track “Nine Times out of Ten” has a Daily Dose of Protest.
Steve Earle & The Dukes – Ghosts of West Virginia
The renegade Americana artist’s latest release is a concept album built around the Big Branch coal mine explosion which took place on April 5, 2010. The songs were initially composed for the play Coal Country, which ran at the Public Theater in New York. The run ended up being cut short by the pandemic.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Reunions
On his latest album, Isbell continues to establish his reputation as one of the best living songwriters. He has the gift of articulating the human condition, kind of like an Americana Bruce Springsteen. The album doesn’t have the same political directness as his previous studio album, the excellent The Nashville Sound (which was one of the best protest albums of the 2010s), but is still socially aware. “What’ve I Done To Help” and “Be Afraid” in particular resonate in the current political climate.
Jeff Rosenstock – No Dream
Except for the title track, I wouldn’t describe the latest album by the indie DIY artist as explicitly political, but it does express an awareness of the times that we live in. Rosenstock well articulates the anxiety that many of us are coping with.
Margo Price – Perfectly Imperfect at The Ryman
Recorded live at the famed Ryman Auditorium back in May 2018. Not necessary a protest album, but it does include a powerful live performance of “All American Made” the title track from her 2017 socially conscious masterpiece (one of the best protest albums of 2017). 100% of the proceeds go to the MusicCares COVID Relief Fund.
Nahko and Medicine for the People – Take Your Power Back
The latest album by Nahko is a genre-bending and empowering. On the album’s Bandcamp page it is described as a record which “grapples with grief, trauma, and reconciliation, learning to face heartache head-on and embrace the peace and serenity that comes with understanding and acceptance.” This is an apt description and is well worth the listen.
Below is the ever-expanding 2020 Protest Song Playlist featuring music featured on this website.