Yaeji, from artist Bandcamp
Another month has passed and here is a small sampling of socially conscious music released throughout the month.
Songs/Videos:
Cast Iron Skillet – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
This is the third single from the respected singer-songwriter’s upcoming albums Weathervanes, which drops on June 9. Like many of Isbell’s tunes, it explores his Southern heritage and the attitudes associated with it.
King of a Land – Yusuf/Cat Stevens
This is the title track off the veteran singer-songwriter’s 17th studio album. Exploring child-like themes, it explores the pursuit of a united world of peace.
Hard to Build. Easy To Break – Cowboy Junkies
This is the latest single and video from the alt-country pioneers’ upcoming album Such Ferocious Beauty due out on June 2. “These days there seems to be this pull towards destruction,” the band’s songwriter/guitarist Michael Timmins explains. “I’m more interested in the effort it takes to create something or the experience of seeing something evolve. On the flip-side of that is how easy it is to utterly smash and destroy whatever is at hand. The line “Tend the flame that lit your way / stop worshiping the ash”, kind of sums it all up for me”
Underground Railroad (featuring Eric Bibb) – Shaneeka Simon
Featuring support from veteran blues singer Eric Bibb, this is the potent debut single from Shaneeka Simon. Simon poignantly links the past efforts to escape slavery, to her personal efforts to escape cycles of past abuse. She plans on releasing her debut album The River of Salvation, in early 2024.
Tomorrow Never Comes – Rancid
This is the title track off the the veteran punker’s forthcoming 10th studio album which will drop on June 2. The tune is the fist-pumping anthem of defiance that Rancid is known for.
Albums:
With a Hammer – Yaeji
The hammer has long been a symbol employed in protest music to illustrate the tearing down of hateful ideologies in order to rebuild something better. The potent new album by the New York-based South Korean artist skillfully references the hammer in confronting anti-Asian racism.
I Came From Love – Dave Okumu & The 7 Generations
Okumu chose the moniker Dave Okumu & the 7 Generations as a nod to his ancestors which includes a legacy of slavery. On this poignant album, he explores past histories and links thems to the current systemic racism that still exists.
Call Me Terry – Terry
The latest album by the Australian indie band scathingly analyzes Australia’s oppressive colonial history. Not only do the lyrics pointedly confront uncomfortable truths, but the album jacket also highlights the greed and entitlement of capitalistic individuals and institutions.
Härvest – Poison Ruïn
The latest album by the medieval punk band uses fantasy elements to explore modern social ills. Vocalist Mac Kennedy states: “Instead of knights in shining armor and dragons, it’s a peasant revolt. I’m all for protest songs, but with this band I’ve found that sometimes your message can reach a greater audience if you imbue it with a certain interactive, almost magical realist element.”
Real Life Super Weirdos – Maladroit
The latest album by the French band features catchy pop-punk gems blended with scathing indictments of toxic masculinity, environmental damage, and rich assholes.
Poor Little England – The Undercover Hippy
The latest album by the project of UK singer-songwriter Billy Rowan indicts a long line of corrupt British leaders. As well as providing the historical context, it examines the post-Brexit plight as well.
Warm Blanket – Worriers
The latest album by the project of singer-songwriter Lauren Denitzio, they distance themself from trying to make a “band” album and musically it is their least-sounding pop-punk album. Like previous efforts from Denitzio, it is still a candid blend of the personal and political, and it still features plenty of social critiques.
Requiem for the Earth – Scarlett Cook
This stunning album by the Australian musician and singer-songwriter skillfully blends classical goth with heavy metal elements. Cook also impeccably employs her voice in lamenting the destruction that humans have wreaked on the planet.
War Remains – Enforced
This album features a traditional thrash sound which should please genre enthusiasts. Vocalist Knox Colby said the following about the album’s themes: “Meanwhile, the album ‘War Remains’ details the decay and breakdown of modern society, along with insight about the cyclical nature of decay and subsequent growth. Biting through at just over 30min, it’s a caustic warning; cautioning you of those who seek to undermine you.”
Body of Work – Carsie Blanton
Her Bandcamp profile states, “Carsie Blanton writes anthems for a world worth saving.” This album features stripped-down reworkings of tunes that the veteran folk singer-songwriter previously recorded throughout her career. A mix of the personal and political, the album does include poignant social critiques.
Stolen From God – Reg Meuross
The latest album by the British folk singer is subtitled “a song cycle unfolding the history of England’s involvement in the Transatlantic slave trade”. It is impossible to move forward if you fail to learn from the past.
Re-Set – Shakin’ Stevens
Shakin’ Stevens was Britain’s biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s. On the surface a departure, his latest release is a protest album targeting the governmental corruption of his native country.
Bob Vylan Presents The Price of Life (Deluxe)
One of the best protest albums of 2022, the recently released deluxe version by the UK grime punk duo features four new remixes. Good time to check out or revisit this exceptional album.
Below is an ongoing playlist of notable 2023 protest music featured on the site.