It has been a few weeks since I did a weekly recap, so I’m also including relatively new socially conscious music that I haven’t had a chance to feature.
Songs and Videos:
Ba Na Na – A Tribe Called Red Featuring Odario, Haviah Mighty and Chippewa Travellers)
The latest track by A Tribe Called Red is a feel-good summer banger with a positive socially conscious message.
The following is posted on the song’s YouTube page: “This song is about the pure enjoyment of dancing and getting sweaty… but this is not without a purpose. This song is for the people who are working hard to make the world a better place than the one they were left with. This is for the fighters and the defenders. Part of being strong is also taking the time to stop, let go and release. Our DNA is of earth and sky.”
The Future – Arthur and the Emigrants (with Ray Davies)
Back in 1969, The Kinks released the ambitious concept album, Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire). The album told the story of a carpet layer who emigrates to Australia to seek a better life for himself. With Brexit and anti-immigration sentiments in the USA and other countries, the album resonates more than ever.
On October 25, 2019, The Kinks are releasing a 50th-anniversary boxset. Included is the previously unreleased “The Future” credited to Arthur and the Emigrants.
Lynzy Lab – Change The Law
On August 3rd a mass shooting took place in El Paso, Texas that killed 22 people. This was followed by another mass shooting that took place in Dayton, Ohio, killing 10 people on August 4th. The events of the tragic weekend prompted Lynzy Lab to convert her mourning into a beautiful, heartfelt piece of art.
She previously composed the viral tune “A Scary Time (For Boys)” in response to Bret Kavanaugh being elected to the US Supreme Court despite sexual assault allegations.
Mudhoney – One Bad Actor
Mudhoney is set to release a new 7 track EP Morning In America on September 20. The tunes were recorded during the sessions for the veteran grunge band’s 2018 album Digital Garbage (which was one of the best protest albums of 2018). The band released the EP’s closing track, “One Bad Actor.
Notable lyric: “My middle finger is on the button/ Itching to deliver the final concussion/ Think of me when you become nothing.”
Amanda Palmer – Drowning In The Sound
Palmer shared the demo of this tune back in 2017 and it was included in the list of the best protest songs of 2017. It has since been included as part of her excellent 2019 album There Will Be No Intermission (which was one of the best albums of 2019 (so far)). She recently released a powerful new video which features her usual high standards of artistry.
Palmer made the following statement about the video: “The overwhelming news about climate change, the politics of a woke and devastated internet, the isolation that everybody is feeling right now… how do you make a music video about that?” Palmer found a way to answer that question by making the perfect video of expressing the whole range of emotions that are experienced during these anxious times.
Albums:
More Arriving – Sarathy Kowar
The UK based musician and producer recently released his sophomore album which addresses the current anti-immigration rhetoric that is taking place. The song “Bol” off the album was featured as a Protest Song Of The Week at Shadowproof and it included an informative write-up by Kevin Gosztola.