I’ve been going through some health issues and I’m currently typing this from a hospital room, so haven’t been keeping up with things the way I would like to. But still had the opportunity to discover notable socially conscious music during the past month. Here is a sampling.
Songs/Videos:
war machine – ATide
Atide is an artist from Russia who had to flee the country because of the war Russia waged on Ukraine. His debut single pointedly addresses the ongoing situation.
Inflation – Earnest Jackson and Sugar Daddy and the Gumbo Roux
This song was first recorded in 1975 but wasn’t released until recently. The lyrics are just as relevant now. It was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Old Ass White Men – Kissing Thieves
Kissing Thieves is an indie folk duo made up of singer-songwriter Stefanie Fields and recording engineer Zach Miller. Fields made the following statement concerning their poignant debut single, which includes a companion music video: “Like so many other women, I was furious when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade; there was more anger than I knew what to do with. So I poured that rage into a song… It’s an anthem for the marches; a fierce rallying cry for women’s rights, LGTBQ, and BLM. It’s one of the boldest things I’ve ever done.”
once the reaper – Joe Rainey
This is the latest single from the indigenous pow-wow singer, following up on his excellent 2022 released album Niineta (one of the best protest albums of 2022). The potent tune is about displaying defiance in the face of grief. It also includes the b-side “d.m.ii”.
We The People – Mat Ward
This is the final single from the Australian-based EDM artist’s 2022 album Why I Protest (one of the best protest albums of so far). The album is based on the protest chants heard at rallies and the latest single addresses how there is a tendency for one country to target another for being terrorists while engaging in similar acts of terrorism themselves.
Albums:
King’s Disease III – Nas
The latest album by the iconic rapper is a fine display of the skillful flow and lyricism that he is known for. Like previous works, it includes insightful social critiques on cycles of violence and upward social progress for black people.
Back Home – Big Joanie
The sophomore album by the UK black feminist punk trio is a satisfying blend of the personal and political. The album addresses the concept of home, and what that means both literally and figuratively. The band made the following statement concerning the album: “Living in London, you kind of feel like you’re going to have the rug pulled out from under you at any time because housing is so insecure and unstable.”
World Record – Neil Young with Crazy Horse
The 42nd studio album by the legendary rocker heavily deals with environmental concerns, a topic he has addressed several times throughout the years.
RTJ CU4TRO – Run The Jewels
This reworking of the dynamic rap duo’s exceptional 2020 album RTJ4 (one of the best protest albums of 2020) features remixes from Latin American artists. The Latin musical flavor adds a different element to the song’s hard-hitting political message.
The Coming Of Spring: Perennial Edition / The Co-Opt – Jesse Jett
The prolific singer-songwriter, rapper, and poet released the spoken-word album The Co-Opt and released a reworked version of his 2021 spoken-word album The Coming Of Spring, with two additional tracks. Like previous releases Jesse pulls no punches, taking shots at both sides of the political aisle. Back on July 4 he also released an excellent new album of music The Grift, along with a companion spoken word album.
11/AIIR/Earth/Today & Tomorrow/Untitled (God) – Sault
Speaking of prolific, the mysterious UK collective dropped 5 albums in November. The albums are eclectic in genres and they explore issues such as the environment, black empowerment, and God.
Capacity To Love – Ibrahim Maalouf
The 15th album by the French-based jazz musician speaks out against divisiveness while promoting inclusion, sharing, and identity. It includes a wide range of collaborators including Gregory Porter, Pos of De La Soul, Tank and the Bangas, and a biting spoken word piece by actress Sharon Stone.
Cop This! – Cosmo & The Objektors
The latest release by the Welsh protest artist is explicitly political and is a prime example of music being an extension of activism. The album proceeds support homeless, climate, and refugee charities.
Laal – Kapil Seshasayee
The sophomore album by Scottish-Indian protest musician is the 2nd installment of a planned trilogy that scathingly indict different aspects of India’s caste system. This album addresses Bollywood and uses it as a lens to examine themes such as nationalism, censorship, and disability rights.
CUNTYGRRRL – FINSTA
The latest release by the Indian trans artist is an explosive mixture of rap and riot-grrrl punk. The upfront and raw lyrical attack address violence within the LGBTQ+ community. Finsta made the following statement concerning the album: “The album isn’t really made for people who aren’t queer. A heterosexual or cis person listening to the album should feel like a voyeur.”
Community – Gordon Koang
Koang is a blind Sudanese musician who found asylum in Australia due to Civil War. His latest album Community is a joyous celebration of cultural diversity. It was released on Music in Exile, a Melbourne, Australia-based non-profit record label and artist services company with champions cultural diversity and fair society.
Endure – Special Interest
The 3rd album by the New Orleans no-wave punks (their previous album The Passion Of, was one of the best protest albums of 2020) finds the band taking a more accessible pop-leaning musical direction. Lyrically it still features the scathing social critiques the band is known for.
Below is the ongoing playlist of 2022 protest tunes which features music that has been featured on the site: