Here is your monthly round-up of notable protest music.
Songs/Videos:
BYE BYE 25! – Kim Gordon
This tune is a reworking of a track that appears on the 2024 album The Collective by the former Sonic Youth member and alt-rock icon. Concerning the concept of the revised version, Gordon stated the following: “Justin Raisen had this idea to redo ‘Bye Bye’ starting at the end of the song. When I was thinking of lyric ideas, it occurred to me to use words taken from a site that had all the words that Trump has essentially banned, meaning any grant or piece of a project or proposal for research that includes any of those words would be immediately disregarded or “cancelled.” I guess Trump does believe in cancel culture, because he is literally trying to cancel culture.”
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Wearing Black – Laura Jane Grace
This riotous anthem of pride and anarchy is from Grace’s upcoming album, Adventure Club, which is set to be released on July 18. Concerning the album: “Adventure Club is frequently a record about learning to take up space, about feeling free to be yourself as the bullshit of our ahistoric moment mounts,” the album’s press release reads. “Protest songs and personal tunes have never been a binary for Grace, and she delivers some of her most profound — and, yes, playful — work ever at that particular intersection here. But the most prominent thread through Adventure Club’s dozen tracks is one of evolution, of letting yourself become something new.”
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
March Madness – Public Enemy
The latest tune by the iconic political rap group Public Enemy is a powerful new protest anthem launched to commemorate Juneteenth. Along with referring to past Public Enemy classics such as “911 Is a Joke,” the track serves as a strong condemnation of corrupt politicians. It examines the persistent crisis of gun violence in our society. It also includes contributions from talented student lyricists and producers from Harvard, Berklee, and Howard Universities, reflecting a united effort to tackle urgent social challenges.
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
No Kings In The USA (featuring Allison Russell) – Gangstagrass
Released to coincide with the recent “No Kings” protest, the latest single by Gangstagrass features their trademark blend of traditional bluegrass with modern hip-hop. The song features compelling lyrics that tackle themes of social justice and equality, challenging the concept of power and authority. It also features the considerable talents of Canadian roots artist Allison Russell.
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Who’ll Stand With Us? – Dropkick Murphys
This rollicking tune is from the veteran Celtic-punk band’s upcoming album For The People, out on July 4. Both the lyrics and accompanying video rally against oligarchic structures that oppress the working class and need to be torn down. According to the press release, the protest anthem is “a call for unity, a return to sanity, and a look at what – and who – is really dividing us. It gets straight to the point: When the billionaires and broligarchs get done neutering society, what’s left for the rest of us? The song aims to frame class warfare for what it is. And, like all Dropkick Murphys songs, it empowers listeners to take action.”
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Albums:
Stockholm Syndrome – Fishbone
The latest album by the influential genre-bending band is a strong return to form. It also greatly benefits from the return of Chris Dowd (who I recently had the pleasure to interview) who wrote the politically explicit singles “Racist Piece of Shit” and “Last Call In America.” The album resonates in the current political climate and could be viewed as a soundtrack to our times.
Previously featured album tracks “Last Call In America” and “Suckered by Sabotage” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Magic, Alive! – McKinley Dixon
The latest album by the conscious rapper is an evocative exploration of identity, resilience, and the intricacies of human experience. The album blends vibrant instrumentation with poignant lyrics, creating a rich tapestry that reflects both personal and collective struggles. Each track unfolds like a chapter, inviting listeners into a world of introspection and celebration. The recurring themes of hope and transformation resonate deeply, making it an album that not only entertains but also inspires.
More – Pulp
The Britpop band’s first album since 2001 explores current political issues. On the track “Farmer’s Market,” Jarvis Cocker references climate change with the lyrics: “That’s when I saw you, babe, in the car park of the farmer’s market, backlit by the sunset, or maybe the fires marking the end of the world.” In discussing the album, he expressed his vision for a utopian future where nature plays a central role. He believes that many contemporary issues arise from a misunderstanding of climate change, with people viewing nature as a threat to their homes and well-being. The album itself is ambitious and stands out distinctly among other releases.
Fairyland Codex – Tropical Fuck Storm
The latest album by the Australian band navigates themes of chaos, societal critique, and personal introspection, often employing surreal imagery and dark humor. Each track invites an immersive experience, showcasing their ability to challenge musical conventions while delivering thought-provoking commentary.
Talkin to the Trees – Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts
The 48th studio album by the legendary rocker is heavily influenced by the current political climate. Appropriately releasing the album a day before Donald Trump’s birthday, the track “Big Change” directly targets Trump, while “Let’s Roll Again” calls on American car manufacturers to embrace electric vehicles, with the lyrics: “Build us something that won’t kill our kids, runs real clean.” However, he takes a jab at Trump’s on-and-off-again bromance, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, singing: “If you’re a fascist, get a Tesla.”
Hopefully! – Loyle Carner
The fourth album by the UK rapper reflects on his personal journey, touching on themes of mental health, identity, and the complexities of life. The album’s powerful title track features contributions from the late, great UK dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah.
Corporation P.O.P – Hot Milk
The sophomore album by the UK emo power-pop band tackles issues like identity, self-acceptance, and societal pressures. Previously featured album track “Insubordinate Ingerland” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Greetings from Echo Park – Ryan Cassata
The latest album by the folk-punker artist Ryan Cassata features a title and cover art that nod to Bruce Springsteen’s debut, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. Like Springsteen, the queer musician from Los Angeles critically examines the “American Dream”—the idea that anyone in America can attain success. In his song “QUEER american DREAM,” Cassata reflects on living under leaders like Trump, known for his homophobic stance and opposition to diversity and inclusion, and Musk, whose transphobic remarks have stemmed from a personal struggle with his own child’s identity. Cassata captures his turmoil with the lyrics, “Maybe it’s awful how I start to sink on the brink of too many thoughts. I spent hours and hours thinking of oppressors in power, like when will I be free? I been preaching since I was a teen, but when you’re queer, there’s no American dream.”
Previously featured the album tracks “QUEER american DREAM” and “i feel like throwing up” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Things Jesus Didn’t Say – Ron Pope
The latest EP by the country singer-songwriter features the poignant title track that exposes the hypocrisy of white conservative Christians. In one notable lyric, he sings, “Jesus said don’t help the poor, unless they’ve filled out the right paperwork and weren’t born in El Salvador, and made a long journey. Blessed is the war machine. The merciless, the persecution. A poor man doesn’t deserve anything he can’t pay for. Wait, those aren’t things Jesus actually said.”
In Our Dreams – David Rovics
Yet another album from the prolific singer-songwriter and activist (his fourth this year). Like previous releases, it features Rovics’ brand of musical journalism, exploring current events, including the genocide in Gaza.
Assaltos e batidas – FBC
The seventh album by the Brazilian rapper includes scathing rebukes of the capitalist system. He also released an accompanying short film, which illustrates each track on the album.
Betting On Blak – Jungaji
The Australian Aboriginal soul singer also serves as the chair of the Dhadjowa Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous families affected by deaths in custody and offering songwriting workshops for incarcerated individuals. “I urge politicians to reconsider their spending; instead of funding concrete jails, they should invest in programs like hip-hop festivals and sports events that can help individuals regain respect for themselves and their communities,” he stated. His music is a powerful extension to his activism.
THE EVERYTHING INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX – Mad Crab & The Dancing Lobsters
The latest EP by the quirky indie punk band explores the madness of the current political climate. The tune “THE CRAB CHEER” is a modern update of Country Joe and the Fish classic anti-war tune “The Fish Cheer/I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag.”
Yanantin – Ukhu Pacha
The debut full-length by the black metal project of Supay Yawar, the American-based based-Peru Peru-born artist taps into his Peruvian roots, composing in Spanish and the indigenous language Quechua. According to Yawar the album “is inspired by Incan cosmology and history, solar worship, and themes that honor the beauty of the Andes and its peoples.”
Check out the ongoing playlist of 2025 protest songs.
