The pandemic has affected everyone, including musicians. With the traditional touring and promo channels being adversely affected many artists that were supposed to release albums earlier in the year have delayed their releases. The good news is that many have decided to release these albums during the fall months, so this month and next have and will see many notable releases. Also, the combination of pandemic and the current political climate has inspired many artists to create new music. Right now we will consider a recap of a few of the notable socially conscious music released during September.
Songs/Videos:
Rapsody – 12 Problems
This powerful track addresses systemic racism and police brutality (“12′ is slang for police). The tune appears on the upcoming compilation album from Roc Nation, titled Reprise, due out October 9. The album’s objective is to focus attention on social justice issues, with a portion of the proceeds supporting organizations that assist victims of police brutality, and other civil rights violations.
Janelle Monáe – Turntables
This empowering anthem was written and recorded for the documentary All In: The Fight for Democracy. The film chronicles America’s long history of voter suppression, using Stacy Abrams’ controversial defeat in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election as a jumping-off point.
Tré Burt – Under the Devil’s Knee (featuring Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell, and Sunny War)
This potent rootsy protest song is not only a scathing indictment of police brutality but is also a fitting homage to the countless black lives snuffed out by the cops. The lyrics not only say the names but it is a reminder of the humanity of the lives that were lost.
War on Women – Wonderful Hell
This explosive tune is the title track and first single off the feminist hardcore punk band’s upcoming album which is slated for an October 30 release. In episode 10 of the Ongoing History of Protest Music, I had the opportunity to interview frontwomen Shawna Potter, who mentioned that recording for the album was completed and that she was hoping to release just before the presidential election. Thankfully they will accomplish that because their music couldn’t have come at a better time.
Zealot – America The Merciful (featuring Uno)
This is the latest release for Die Jim Crow, the first nonprofit record label for currently and formerly incarcerated. Zealot is the performance moniker for Dane Newton who has been a ward of the state in Colorado since 2007 and is in the midst of serving a 36-year sentence for aggravated robbery.
Concerning the motivation behind the poignant lyrics, Newton made the following statement: “looking at how redemption might look in my life moving forward. How society, prison, people — [they] look at you a specific way and… it’s like I’m reaching out to do better [and] still having society step back with their arms folded and look at you as; no matter how hard you try, it’s just like chasing the wind.”
“I was sentenced to 24 and 12 consecutive [years] for aggravated robbery and [I was] thinking about some of the guys I’ve met while I’ve been in prison that have less time than that for murder. So you want to extend a level of mercy and forgiveness to someone who murdered someone and I’m in here for an aggravated robbery — you take the very best years of my life — it’s like how do you reconcile that concept on a personal level with your own life and your own actions?”
The tune also features a powerful verse from Uno, a 19-year-old rapper who is serving life without parole. The recording session which included this song was also discussed in an informative article posted on the Grammy website.
Amanda Shires – The Problem (featuring Jason Isbell)
The husband and wife duo eloquently tells the story of a couple grappling with the painful decision of whether or not to have an abortion. It effectively addresses a sensitive topic in an empathetic way. The song was released on International Safe Abortion Day, and proceeds go to the Yellowhammer Fund, the Alabama-based reproductive justice organization.
Zeal & Ardor – Tuskegee
This is the third single from Zeal & Ardor’s upcoming EP Wake of a Nation, out on October 23. The song’s title is a reference to the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, which took place between 1932-1972 in rural Alabama and resulted in hundreds of African-American men going untreated for syphilis for decades so scientists could study the disease’s effects.
Previously featured “Vigil” and “I Can’t Breathe” off the EP, as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Jeremy Ivey – Things Could Get Much Worse
This is the second single off the singer-songwriter upcoming sophomore album, Waiting Out The Storm. It features a humorous video that features Ivey wearing a full hazmat suit while walking downtown Nashville, experiencing both positive and negative interactions with others. Ivey himself suffered a bout with COVID-19 and despite the number of those who have been infected or have died, the bars and restaurants are still packed, with many not wearing masks.
The upcoming album was produced by Ivey’s wife Margo Price who recently released a timely video for “I’d Die For You“, a track off her latest album That’s How Rumors Get Started.
Gordon Koang – Asylum Seeker
Koang was a successful musician in South Sudan, releasing ten full-length albums. He ended up having to flee his native land due to the civil war. He ended up finding his way to Melbourne, Australia as part of a long Asylum seeking process that took five years. This recently released video is for a track of his latest album Unity, his first album since arriving in Australia in 2014.
Downtown Boys – L’Internationale
The punk band’s reworking of the classic labor song was recorded for the soundtrack of the film Miss Marx. The movie is about Karl Marx’s youngest daughter Eleanor, who was a writer and organizer.
Brittany Howard – Goat Head (EARTHGANG Remix)
“Goat Head”, originally appeared on Howard’s 2019 album Jamie (and was previously featured as a daily dose of protest). That song provides the canvas for the hip-hop duo to explores themes of systemic racism and police brutality.
Marlon Craft – Time Will Tell
The New York City emcee effectively raps about issues connected to the Black Lives Matter movement. All of the streaming proceeds from the song support Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp.
Sanya N’Kanta -The Lesser of Two Evils
This song and video by the Jamaican singer-songwriter resonate with the upcoming US Presidential election. Often with politics, it comes down to the choice of the lesser of two evils.
Bag Up – Haviah Mighty
This is the last video being released from Mighty’s exceptional 2019 album 13th Floor (which was also one of the best protest albums of 2019). Both the song and video addresses issues of resilience and women empowerment.
Raye Zaragoza – They Say
This topical tune addresses various social and economic inequalities. It is off her upcoming album Woman in Color which is out October 23.
Chloë Nixon – Nature’s Wake Up Call
The latest single from the young singer-songwriter addresses the pain that many experienced when confronted with the social injustices that are currently happening. It also holds out optimism that what is currently happening will serve as a much-needed wake-up call. Previously feature her song “I Can’t Breathe” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Homeboy Sandman – Extinction
This is the second single from the underground’s album upcoming album, Feed The Monster, which features production from another underground hip-hop fave Quelle Chris, and will be out October 16. Sandman made the following statement concerning his motivation behind the tune: “I‘m just looking at the values and the lies and the delusions and the posturing and the denial it’s gotten to the level of being completely surreal. I just can’t wrap my head around it. How much further can this possibly go?”
Awkword – Ten Demands (featuring Jesse Jett)
The following song is connected to the Ten Demands for Justice initiative. which offers a road map towards the defunding and then full abolition of police and prisons. I recently had an opportunity to interview Awkword, a political rapper, activist, and journalist, about the song and initiative. That episode will be released on October 12.
Paris – Nobody Moves
This powerful song and video by the veteran socially conscious rapper is off his latest album Safe Space invader.
Rise Against – Broken Dreams, Inc
The latest single from the veteran political punk band was written and recorded for the Dark Nights: Death Metal soundtrack. The lyrics may have had comics in mine, but they also well reflect current political realities.
Midnight Oil – First Nation (feat. Jessica Mauboy & Tasman Keith)
This is the latest single from the veteran political rock band upcoming seven-song mini-album The Makarrata Project, their first album in 18 years, and will be released the October 30. Like much of their music it addresses indigenous rights. Both the song and album features collaborations with indigenous artists.
Drive-By Truckers – 21st Century USA
The southern rock band has just announced that they will be surprise-dropping a new album The New OK on October 2. They also released the first single from it. Politically speaking it seems to follow a similar vein to The Unraveling which was released earlier in the year (and was one of the best protest albums of 2020 So Far).
Albums:
Sault – Untitled (Rise)
The mysterious and prolific collective release their second epic album within the past few months. Just like their previous release, Untitled (Black Is) it is a galvanizing listening experience.
Moor Mother – Circuit City
Speaking of prolific, the spoken word artist and experimental musician has been involved with many releases during the past year. Her latest solo project Circuit City is her first theatrical work, Set in a living room in a corporate-owned apartment complex, it addresses the issues of public/private ownership, housing, and technology.
IDLES – ULTRA MONO
The third album by the UK post-punk addresses similar issues that they have dealt with on previous albums. The music and lyrics reflect well the anxieties of the times we’re living in.
Bobby Sessions – RVLTN (Chapter 3): The Price Of Freedom
This is the third installment in the socially conscious rapper series of politically theme albums. Like previous albums, he effectively explores themes connected to the Black American experience.
Public Enemy – What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down
The legendary political rap group makes their long-awaited return to the Def Jam label, the home to their past classics. Public Enemy never really went anywhere, so it will be a mistake to say this is a return to form, but the album is timely and their music is needed more than ever.
Sufjan Steven – The Ascension
The latest release by the celebrated indie artist is an ambitious undertaking, which well articulates the current sense of disillusionment many are currently facing.
Grex – Everything You Said Was Wrong
This excellent album by the art-rock duo was previously reviewed. I also had an opportunity to interview Grex member Karl Evangelista about the album for episode 15 of the podcast.
Jeff Rosenstock – Dump 2020
This five-song EP is a collection of songs that Rosenstock recorded at home during the pandemic. The songs reflect the current collective mood concerning what has been a terrible year. Rosenstock previously released the excellent No Dream, one of the year’s best albums.
Mickey Guyton – Bridges
Being a black woman in country music puts Guyton in a unique position to address topics that are rarely covered. This six-song EP effectively addresses issues such as racism and sexism.
Rich Aucoin – United States
This is a catchy indie-pop gem that effectively blends insightful social commentary with infectious musical grooves.
Tyler Childers – Long Violent History
This is a mostly instrumental collection of fiddle tunes. The one song with vocals is the title track which makes his political intent clear. He also released a video providing further context to the album.
Tim Heidecker – Fear Of Death
The latest album by comedian and musician abandons the comedy for a serious album that deals with topics such as a doomed future and the inevitability of death. The album is somber but it does resonate,
Also check out the ongoing Spotify playlist of 2020 protest tunes.