Fatoumata Diawara, from artist Bandcamp
Another month has passed and here is your monthly recap of notable socially conscious music.
Songs/Videos:
America Has a Problem (featuring Kendrick Lamar) – Beyoncé
This remix of the track off Beyoncé 2022 album Renaissance features poignant contributions from Kendrick Lamar.
Save the World – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
This is the latest single off Isbell’s upcoming album Weathervanes, due out June 9th. The socially aware tune makes reference to current social ills, including the Uvalde shooting (“somebody shot up a classroom again.”, “When you said the cops just let ’em die, I heard the shaking in your voice.”)
World On Fire – Dolly Parton
After her reluctant induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Parton vowed to release a rock album. This is the first single off the upcoming album Rockstar, due out November 17, 2023. Consisting mostly of covers, this tune is an original written by Parton. Even though she has some tunes that could be deemed as socially conscious, this tune is probably the closest she has gotten to being explicitly political. It includes the pointed lyrics “greedy politicians, present and past/ They wouldn’t know truth if it bit them in the ass.” In an interview with NBC’s Today, she was asked which politicians she was referring to, “All of ’em. Any of ’em. I don’t think any of ’em are trying hard enough,” she responded. “I just really think often that they worry more about their party than they do about the people,”
Freedom Is A Constant Struggle (featuring Joy Clark, Lilli Lewis, Sabine McCalla, Sula Spirit, Cassie Waston Francillon) – Leyla McCalla
Backed by a fantastic all-woman choir, the recent release by the Haitian-American singer is a potent reworking of a 1966 Civil Rights-era acapella protest song which was originally sung by Barbra Dane and recorded with the Chambers Brothers. McCalla’s rendition was released to correspond with Dane’s 96th Birthday. Speaking of the recording she said, “With so many of our fault lines agitated and further exposed by the pandemic, I find myself connecting more deeply with my emotional state in the context of the ways the capitalist system fails us. Music is a healing force – it helps us to know ourselves better and it helps us to take the temperature on where we stand. These are the songs that have served as a balm to my personal journey over the past few years as I’ve navigated heartbreak, outrage, grief and hope.”
Indignation – Divide and Dissolve
“Indignation” is the latest track by the Australian-based instrumental doom metal duo, from their upcoming fourth album Systemic due June 30th. The tune “is a prayer that land be given back to Indigenous people,” saxophonist and guitarist Takiaya Reed explain. “A hope that future generations no longer experience the atrocities and fervent violence that colonization continues to bring forth.”
Estranged Fruit (featuring NOFX) – Fishbone
This track is off the influential ska band’s recently self-titled EP, which was produced by NOFX’s Fat Mike. Making reference to Billie Holiday’s 1939 classic anti-lynching standard “Strange Fruit“ ‘Estranged Fruit’ is a timeless composition merging the past and present embodied by the irony of us repeating what should be in the rearview mirror of a so-called evolved society that still has far to go,” commented Fishbone’s Chris Dowd.
Black Dust Blues (featuring Elaine Mitchener) – Moor Mother
This stirring anti-war composition from the prolific poet, musician, and activist is one of the new tracks that appear on the recently released deluxe version of Jazz Code (which was one of the best protest albums of 2022).
La Banda Más Chingón en Wyoming – No-No Boy featuring Mariachi Los Broncos
This is a mariachi reworking of a tune that appeared on No-No Boy’s 2021 album 1975. The track was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Albums:
London Ko – Fatoumata Diawara
At times the simple act of making music can be viewed as a political statement. That is the case with the Malian musician, who according to her is “the first female solo electric guitar player in Mali.” Made in collaboration with Blur and Gorillaz’s Damon Albarn, London Ko is a stunning collection of tunes that transcends borders, language, and genres. It features songs sung in English, French, and Diawara’s native Bambara. The album embraces personal empowerment and speaks out against serious issues such as FGM (“Sete”).
Okemah Rising – Dropkick Murphys
This is the Celtic punk’s second album featuring Woody Guthrie‘s lyrics, following up their 2022 album This Machine Still Kills Fascists (one of the best protest albums of 2022). Previously featured album track “I Know How It Feels” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
I Hope You Can Forgive Me – Madison McFerrin
More personal than political, but the album does touch upon themes of empowerment and perseverance. One of the album’s highlights “Run” was written after learning of an ancestor who escaped slavery. The powerful tune is sung from the perspective of an abolitionist and also includes contributions from her father Bobby.
Vida Cotidiana – Juanes
The tenth album by the successful Colombian artist was written during the COVID-19 pandemic and the songs were influenced by both his personal circumstances and the existing political climate. For example, the album opens with “Mayo”, about the Colombian protests that took place on May 1, 2021, which resulted in multiple instances of police violence, arbitrary detentions, sexual assault, and 27 deaths. Elsewhere on the album “Canción Desaparecida” laments the country’s more than 200,000 disappeared people.
Terrasite – Cattle Decapitation
The tenth album by the veteran death metal band features a brutal musical attack with incisive social commentary. The term “terrasite” is a term created by vocalist Travis Ryan merging “Terra-” meaning “earth” and “-site” derived from the Greek word “siltos” which means “food.” Terrasites refer to those who consume the earth as food, leading to the planet’s eventual demise.
All The Dreams I Ever Had – calm.
The latest album by the duo of rapper Time and producer Awareness is an ambitious concept piece that is meant to be listened to as one extended tune. It weaves a narrative about an aspiring lucid dreamer who meets a dream guide, the lucid dreamer’s best friend is murdered by the dream council. Even though the story may be based in a dream world, the lyrics also touch upon real-life personal and political angst.
Now – Graham Nash
The latest album by the legendary singer is a mix of political and personal. The album’s most explicitly political tune is “Golden Idol” which critiques the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
Disposable Everything – AJJ
The eighth album by the veteran folk punk group skillfully blends catchy melodies with insightful social critiques. It addresses subjects such as political apathy, climate change, the perils of capitalism, and other societal ills.
Red Dirt – Last Quokka
The latest album by Australian garage punks is a scathing indictment of the political climate of their country. It exposes Australia as a place full of beauty but also infected by colonialism, racism, and capitalistic greed. Of course, these issues are universal and listeners can connect to the raucous energy and relate to the righteous indignation.
Human Algebra – The Selecter
The latest album by the two-tone ska pioneers is a skillful blend of shanking beats and poignant social critiques.
Sovereign Bodies / Ritual Taxonomy – Adjunct Ensemble
Adjunct Ensemble is a project of Irish composer Jamie Thompson who creates a jarring mish-mash of opera, free jazz, electronica, spoken word, hip-hop, and news soundbites. The compelling album thematically deals with issues of immigration, displacement, and assimilation.
Climate Wars – Mat Ward
The latest album by the Australian-based EDM artist is about fighting for the environment and how it makes him feel about his son’s future. The album has been described as “like an electronic version of punk band Rancid”, which is an apt description.
Toxic Envelope – Poor Lily
This four-song EP is the first new music for the punk group in seven years. Along with a fast and heavy musical attack, it features lyrics that speak out against environmental destruction, police brutality, and conspiracy theories.
Below is an ongoing playlist of notable 2023 protest music featured on the site.