2020 has been a shitty year and we are only halfway through. In comparison, since starting this site in December 2017, I’ve never had a tougher time narrowing down a best-of list. It has been a peak year for socially conscious music. Many of the albums that have been released are the perfect snapshot of the current political climate. There were albums that well articulate the feelings of isolation and frustration in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. Several albums are relevant in the wave of anti-police brutality and anti-racism protests that are taking place. The following list of 30 notable albums is presented in alphabetical order.
The British rapper’s sophomore solo album is a conceptual piece that depicts Ahmed’s relationship with his country as an abusive romantic relationship. That setting is used to explore the racism and ant-immigration rhetoric which became increasingly prevalent in the light of Brexit.
This is the follow-up to the rock band’s exceptional 2017 album, The Underside of Power. It expands on their genre-defying sound with creates the perfect platform for the socially conscious lyrics of lead vocalist Franklin James Fisher.
Apple’s critically acclaim masterpiece is an example of how often the personal is political. Part of the reason the album resonates is that it captures the mood of isolation many are experiencing post-corona. It touches upon themes of empowerment and serves as a timely reminder that we can get out the metaphorical bolt cutters and release ourselves from oppressive situations. Outside of the music, Apple’s album also took the positive step of including land acknowledgment in the album credits.
The third solo album by the frontwoman of the influential punk band The Bags blends anthemic old school punk vibes with incisive commentary on inequality and privilege.
Over the course of seven albums, metal has proven to be the perfect platform for Ice-T to express his righteous rage. Body Count’s latest effort features a ferocious musical attack and outspoken political commentary.
Following their excellent 2016 album, American Band, the Truckers had their longest hiatus between albums. The Unravelling found the band still angered and frustrated by the current political climate. That anger and frustration were channeled to create another collection of relevant social commentary. Previously featured “Thoughts and Prayers” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
The veteran Americana artist’s latest release is a brilliant concept album built about the Big Branch coal mine explosion which took place on April 5, 2010, and killed 29 people. Without being preachy the songs address the capitalistic greed and negligence which lead to the tragedy.
Ryan Harvey is a veteran activist and folk-punk artist who wears his politics on his sleeve. His latest features the political directness he is known for. Previously featured the album track “Nine Times out of Ten” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
The avant-garde jazz ensemble’s sophomore album features the adventurous musical arrangement of their excellent 2017 self-titled debut. The album is still confrontational musically and lyrically, but this is balanced with a sense of warmth and comfort. Previously featured album track “No Más” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Isbell is one of the best living songwriters and Reunions is a strong exhibit. His gift of articulating the human condition is on fine display. It is an excellent followup to his 2017 album The Nashville Sound (which was one of the best protest albums of the 2010s). Just like that album, it is a balance of personal tunes influenced by fatherhood and past demons with a healthy dose of poignant social commentary.
The Chicago rapper has crafted a captivating and honest collection of songs. The tune taps into the trauma that Kinsey experienced being a queer black man living in America.
The sophomore album by the pan-African female supergroup is a galvanizing collection of anthems of women empowerment. Even though the grooves are addictive, this doesn’t water down the weighty issues addressed such as global inequality, female genital mutilation, violence against women, lack of education and forced marriages.
This is the full-length debut of producer Mental Jewlery and spoken word artist and experimental musician Moor Mother. It departs from the mostly electronic sound of their 2017 EP Crime Waves and embraces the punk sounds that the duo grew up with. Those sounds are the ideal canvass for Moor Mother to deliver the provocative politicized lyrics that she is known for.
I can’t describe this genre-bending album any better than the album’s Bandcamp page where it is described as an album 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.”
On the latest album by the indie-folk-rock band, they grapple with their experiences growing up in the American South. It explores the racism and homophobia that continues to be prevalent.
The Canadian-Colombian singer-songwriter’s third album openly embraces her cultural roots. Much of the lyrics also tackles issues related to racist and misogynist attitudes.
Pink Siifu may be a rapper, but his second full-length doesn’t feature much rap, instead, it features angry growls, which is an effective vehicle for delivering black rage. This eclectic and confrontational album draws from a range of genres including hardcore punk and free jazz. It is a furious listening experience with fourteen of the twenty tunes clocking in under two minutes. He gets right to the point in speaking out against police violence and supporting black unity.
Quelle Chris is an eclectic and satirical genius, and that fact is on full display on this album. The adventurous album encapsulates the post-Corona mood and features insightful social critiques.
On No Dream, Rosenstock helped compose the post-corona soundtrack. The indie DIY artist expresses an awareness of the times that we live in and he well articulates the anxiety that many of us are coping with.
The journeyman singer-songwriter and activist continues to be consistent and prolific. This is yet another timely album of insightful commentary. I also previously reviewed the album.
If there is an album that best taps into the political climate of 2020, this is the album. Relevant and prescient it immediately felt momentous. It is hard to declare an album a classic after only being released for a month, but it feels like it could become the rap version of Marvin Gaye’s landmark 1971 album What’s Going On. Also previously featured “walking in the snow” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Does anyone out there have any info about the mysterious collective known as SAULT? The one thing that is known is that since 2019 they released three solid socially conscious albums. Their latest release on Juneteenth is a celebration of black excellence and insightful commentary on ongoing social ills.
The Japanese-British singer-songwriter full-length debut defies genres while providing socially aware lyrics. Many of the songs on the album analyze themes such as consumerism, cultural identity, stereotypes, and microaggressions.
At 83 years of age, Archie Shepp continues to build upon a six-decade career of contributing to the canon of protest music. The influential saxophonist and poet collaborate with MC Raw Poetic and producer and multi-instrumentalist Damu the Fudgemunk to create an avant-garde masterpiece filled with relevant observations of current social conditions.
Shirelle’s spectacular debut was appropriately released on Juneteenth. It also is the first album released from Die Jim Crow, a non-profit record label for current and formerly incarcerated musicians. On the album, Shirelle candidly taps into her personal experience which contributes invaluable insights into systemic failures which have led to the oppressive cycles that continue to exist. Shadowproof published an informative interview with Shirelle about the album and her work as deputy director of Die Jim Crow.
The second album from the New Orleans anarcho-glam band is best described on the album’s Bandcamp page: “Special Interest present a precise and deranged vision of punk, an apocalyptic celebration, a step forward into a perverse and uncertain landscape.” An intense and essential listening experience.
The exceptional debut by the longtime producer effectively taps into his indigenous heritage to create an album that engages the mind and body. Also, I previously reviewed the album and I interviewed Strickland and Canadian Hip-Hop pioneer Maestro Fresh Wes (who appears on the album), for an episode of the Ongoing History of Protest Music podcast.
The full-length debut by the all-female punk trio is a nonconforming and defiant statement directed at the misogyny of what continues to be a white heterosexual male dominated genre. In 2020, women playing instrument and rocking out shouldn’t be a revolutionary statement, but sadly it still is.
Experimental pop artist Meg Remy has a knack for mixing intoxicating dance beats with thoughtful lyrical commentary. Heavy Light is another excellent timely album from her.
The veteran roots singer-songwriter’s latest album is her most political. She is not afraid to speak her mind concerning the state of the world and her feelings towards the current American president. Her graveled vocals are perfectly suited to the timely subject matter.
Below is an ever-expanding playlist of 2020 protest songs, including tunes from the albums on this list.