Molly Nilsson, from artist’s Bandcamp
Here is your monthly recap of socially conscious music.
Songs/Video:
Devil’s Club (featuring Rezcoat Grizz) – Snotty Nose Rez Kids
The latest tune by the Canadian indigenous rap duo features hard-hitting lyrics addressing issues of identity, culture, and resilience. The song is off their upcoming album Red Future, out September 13th.
Albums:
Un-American Activities – Molly Nilsson
The latest album by the Swedish-born singer is an evocative collection of tunes that explores McCarthy-era blacklisting of leftists and socialists, drawing parallels to the current rise of the far-right.
I’m Not Broken (Live From Topeka Correctional Facility) – Melissa Etheridge
Recorded live at a women’s prison, the latest album by the veteran singer-songwriter captures the resilience, hope, and humanity that transcend prison walls, delivering a powerful message of strength and redemption.
Chapter 26 – Kobie Dee
The latest EP by the Indigenous Australian rapper delves into personal experiences to explore societal issues.
Ministry of Culture: Live at Ecosocialism 2024 – David Rovics & Kamala Emanuel
This is one of two live recordings released by the veteran activist and singer-songwriter during the month. Joined by his current touring partner Kamala Emanuel, this engaging performance from the 2024 Ecosocialism conference in Australia addresses social and environmental issues.
Ministry of Culture: Live on the Big Island – David Rovics
This is the other live album released by Rovics, recorded at Earth Matters Farm on the Big Island of Hawai’i in January 2023. It features his trademark incisive social commentary.
I Heard a Rumor – David Rovics
The prolific Rovics also released his latest studio album. The album is broken into three parts. Firstly, the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Secondly, tunes related to the class struggle. Thirdly, a poignant critique of the rumor mill and propaganda machine. This is his third studio album of the year. His previous two were among the 30 best protest albums of the year (so far).
Tree Indeed – Fury Young
This is the debut EP by the singer-songwriter, musician, and activist. On the EP’s Bandcamp page, Young mentioned the motivation behind the project: “I grew up with a queer father and a non-binary sibling who struggled with their identities. So for me as a cis/masc person, it is important for me to challenge societal norms in my work. I’ve seen how difficult it can be to be your truest self, and my music encourages people to strive for that. On ‘Freer’ I sing – ‘From a place inside / that I cannot hide.’”
Young’s work also included finding FREER Records, the first non-profit record label in United States history for musicians in prison and formerly incarcerated.
Hells Welles – Jesse Welles
This is a stunning debut by the talented singer-songwriter. The album’s 21 tracks include many semi-viral tunes that Welles previously shared through social media. Welles is a gifted social commentator and satirist.
Valliamma Peraandi Vol.01 – Arivu
The latest album by the former Casteless Collective rapper taps into his experience to weave a compelling narrative that sheds light on the struggles and triumphs of the oppressed.
P.T.S.D By Proxy – Acid Klaus
Acid Klaus is a project of UK Electronic artist Adrian Flanagan. Concerning this EP, Flanagan said the following: “The EP is my artistic response to the horrific vista forced upon me as the earth wobbles perilously on its axis like a drunk and foul mouthed broke and broken auntie. It’s dance music you can cry too – or if you point blank refuse to look out of the window – just for dancing too whilst remaining in a state of ‘pig ignorant’ bliss! For me as an artist it’s important that someone documents this time of great historical mess by utilising heavenly voices, robotic sonics, bangin’ beats, street poetry, space chants and nifty synthetic arpeggiations whilst still remaining deep in the ice cold moment of reality.”
The proceeds from downloads go to Medical Aid For Palestinians. Previously featured album track Aerodromes (David Holmes Remix) as a Daily Dose of Protest.
WHO AM I – BERWYN
The debut album by the Trinidad-born rapper effectively taps into his struggles growing up as an undocumented immigrant in Britain.
Mantra – Diploid
The latest EP by the veteran Australian grind/noise band is a ferocious 10 minutes of intense music, impassioned vocal delivery, and thought-provoking lyrics. The band also included the following statement on the album’s Bandcamp page: “We feel it is important to acknowledge that at the time of this release, there is a genocide taking place in Palestine by the ethnostate of Israel. Devastating that the world seems to keep turning while Palestinian children are being murdered in their homes, women are being raped at gunpoint, and men are being tortured to death and buried in mass graves. Shame on Israel. Shame on Israel. Shame on Israel.”
O Say, Can You See? – Zeshan B
The latest album by the first-generation Indian-American singer-songwriter is a throwback to past socially conscious soul singers. Tapping into his experiences, he explores themes such as identity, social justice, and the complexities of American history.
Take The Rad Pill – Mat Ward
The latest album by the Australian electronic artist and journalist delves into themes such as political disillusionment, societal polarization, and the struggle for personal authenticity in the modern world.
Check out the ongoing playlist of 2024 protest music.