HMLTD, from the artist’s Bandcamp
We are just a little bit beyond the halfway point of 2023 and there has already been plenty to protest, and the music being made reflects that. It was difficult to narrow it down to 30, but here is a sampling of the best socially conscious albums released so far. Most of these albums have previously been featured on the site, and in many cases, I reused the previous writeups. The albums are listed in alphabetical order.
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.
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.
Shook – Algiers
The latest album by political indie rockers finds the band at their most eclectic and the lyrical message is as radical as ever. It is jammed packed with guest artists including Rage Against The Machine’s Zack de la Rocha, Billy Woods, and Backxwash who effectively help deliver the album’s anti-capitalistic and anti-racist message.
Common Nation of Sorrow – Rachel Baiman
Along with being a sought-after session musician whose credits include Kacey Musgraves, Kevin Morby, and Molly Tuttle, Baiman is also a highly gifted singer-songwriter. Those considerable skills are on display on her latest album, which was heavily influenced by her activist father who belonged to the Democratic Socialists of America, which was then considered to be fringed. The fights against capitalism raged by her father are still raging, and these are themes that she effectively taps into. “The reality is that the vast majority of us are being taken advantage of by the same brutal economic and political systems. Maybe that shared oppression is a place in which we can meet and fight back”, she explains.
The Land, the Water, the Sky – Black Belt Eagle Scout
The latest album by the project of indigenous singer-songwriter Katherine Paul is stunning. She stated in a press statement, “I created The Land, the Water, the Sky to record and reflect upon my journey back to my homelands and the challenges and the happiness it brought.”
Previously featured three tunes from the album as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Cousins – Boogey The Beat
The debut album by the Anishinaabe DJ and producer is an excellent showcase of Powwow Step, a genre that blends EDM with traditional indigenous musical elements. The album features notable contributions from fellow First Nation Canadian artists such as Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Drezus, and Northern Cree. The music is equal part celebratory and defiant.
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.
I Am the River, The River Is Me – Jen Cloher
The latest album by the Australian-based singer-songwriter embraces her sexual identity and Maori heritage. It also heavily deals with environmental issues. Concerning the album title and the song of the same name, Cloher said it “is taken from a Maori proverb, what’s known as a whakatauki. And in te reo Maori, we would say (speaking te reo Maori). It’s the idea that we are part of. I am the river. The river is me. We’re not separate. We are part of this beautiful, beautiful planet that we are living in collectively, all together in this moment.”
To Know The Light – Dawn Ray’d
On their latest album, the British anarchist black metal band Dawn Ray’d effectively incorporates the English folk tradition of rebel songs. The politically explicit lyrics are staunchly anti-capitalism and pro-worker. It also balances the bleakness that black metal is known for with a sense of optimism.
Previously featured album track “Go As Free Companions” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Workin On A World – Iris DeMent
The latest album by the folk music icon balances realism with optimism when it comes to political progress. As she eloquently expresses on the title track, “I get up in the mornin’ knowing I’m privileged to be workin’ on a world I may never see.” Without being preachy Dement effectively critiques current world events.
London Ko – Fatoumata Diawara
Sometimes 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”).
Systemic – Divide and Dissolve
The latest album by the Australian-based instrumental doom metal duo proves you don’t need lyrics to deliver a weighty message. As saxophonist and guitarist Takiaya Reed states “I believe in the power of non-verbal communication. A huge percent of communication is non-verbal. We learn so much without using words.”
The album track “Indignation” was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? – McKinley Dixon
The latest album by the socially conscious rapper is named after three of Toni Morrison’s novels. Dixon effectively taps into Morrison’s writing to weave a narrative of discovering one’s identity in the midst of violence and oppression. Dixon describes the album as “a coming of age movie for young Black kids”.
Social Lubrication – Dream Wife
The third album by the London-based indie punk trio rages with righteous indignation, taking aim at toxic patriarchal structures. In an interview band member Rakel Mjöll states, “If you are not political in your music, and you do not have a message, what’s the point?”
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). Just like the previous album, Dropkick Murphys’ rollicking musical attack is the perfect complement to Guthrie’s potent lyrical message.
Previously featured album track “I Know How It Feels” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Anthems – Andrey Guryanov
Berlin-based sound artist Andrey Guryanov was born in the Soviet Union, and that ancestry is pivotal in the creation of Anthems. The album features reworkings of his birth nation’s national anthems over the years. The album reaches its harrowing climax on the album’s closer which is made entirely of sampling of explosion sounds in the Ukraine. As Gurynaov states, “war, violence, and cruelty have become the new anthem.”
The Worm – HMLTD
Featuring a cast of 47 musicians, the sophomore album by the UK art-rock band is an ambitious concept album about a worm that shallows up England. The sci-fi dystopian narrative is used as a lens to examine personal issues such as depression and political concerns such as capitalistic-fueled climate disasters. Weird in the best possible way, a truly compelling listen.
the whaler – Home Is Where
On the album’s Bandcamp page, the band is described as making “anxiety-riddled but cathartic rock songs about the apocalypse.” That is an apt description of the band’s sophomore album, an ambitious concept album about getting used to societal decay. The album balances bleakness with glimmers of hope. Musically and lyrically it strikes the perfect balance of catchy and angsty.
Oh Me Oh My – Lonnie Holley
The latest album by the 73-year-old acclaimed visual artist and avant-garde musician is a stunning work of art that taps into his experiences growing up in the Jim Crow South. It balances moments of bleakness with a sense of optimism. It also features notable contributions from Bon Iver, Michael Stipe, Sharon Van Etten, and Moor Mother.
Previously featured album track “Mount Meigs” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Michael – Killer Mike
As of late the veteran emcee has become a polarizing figure with some of his political views. But musically the Run The Jewels rapper’s first solo album since 2012’s R.A.P. Music is poignant. This album is probably his most personal release but in typical Killer Mike fashion it features plenty of commentary on social issues.
Sustained Resistance – Maelstorm & Louisahhh
Even though they have been frequently collaborating for a decade, this is the debut album of the techno-punk duo. The album includes the potent tracks “Vixen” and “America” which express anger over the battle against body autonomy in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Attachment Styles – M(h)aol
This is the debut full-length from the feminist Irish post-punk band. The band effortlessly blends an aggressive music attack with lyrics that scathingly indict rape culture and misogyny.
When the Poems Do What They Do – Aja Monet
The history of socially conscious music includes several notable contributions from African American jazz poets. The debut album by poet and activist Aja Monet is a potent contribution to that canon.
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 them to the current systemic racism that still exists.
Átta – Sigur Rós
The latest release by the Icelandic post-rock band is a haunting affair influenced by current environmental concerns. Lead vocalist Jónsi states “We’re always thinking about climate change, doom-scrolling and going to hell. The world felt a bit bleak making this album, but maybe there is hope. When there is darkness, there is light.”
Anarchist Gospel – Sunny War
The latest album by the roots artist is a compelling blend of the personal and political and it promotes a message of resilience and perseverance. Concerning the album, Sunny War made the following statement in an interview with The Bluegrass Situation:
“The album title isn’t really political, to me. I felt like the big choruses [on the album] felt gospel in a way, but it wasn’t religious so I felt like it was Anarchist Gospel. It was really because of the one song, “Whole,” where I just felt like the message of the song was kind of about anarchy, in a way that most people could understand. I guess I’m more of a socialist now, but it’s the same sentiment. I just want people to have what they need. That’s more what anarchy means to me. It seems like it’s government that’s in the way of people getting what they need.”
“For me, it’s more personal. When I was homeless, a lot of times we would be living in abandoned buildings and we’d get arrested for that. Anarchy, to me, means, “Why can’t we be here? Nobody else is going to be in here. Why are you keeping us from this?” It feels weird that we don’t get to claim where we live, but other people do. Why do they have more rights to the same places? I don’t know if that’s anarchy, so much as I just think people have a right to everything.”
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.
Eureka Eureka – Winky D
The latest album by the Zimbabwean musician caused a political uproar in his native country due to the scathing critique of a corrupt authoritarian government. This is not the first time that Winky D and other like-minded Zimbabwean protest artists have faced efforts to suppress and de-platform. Even though there may have been a specific country’s government in mind, the theme of decolonization is a universal concern.
With a Hammer – Yaeji
The hammer has long been a symbol employed in protest music to illustrate the tearing down of hateful ideologies 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.
A New Tomorrow – Zulu
The debut album by the American hardcore band is musically eclectic, effectively incorporating elements of reggae and soul into the aggressive musical attack. The album does touch upon the generational trauma of Black people, but as mentioned by vocalist Anaiah Lei in an NPR interview, the lyrics just don’t address suffering: “When people think about the pain of exclusion, they think about Black people. And then we end up getting tokenized one way or another.” Instead of solely focusing on systemic injustices, the songs are also a celebration of resilience and convey a sense of optimism.
Also, check out the playlist of 2023 protest songs featuring music featured on the website, including tunes from the albums on this list.