We just finished the first month of 2021 and in many ways, the shittiness of 2020 has seemed to carry over. January is traditionally a slower month for new music releases, but there was still plenty of socially conscious music, and here is a small sample of it.
Songs/Videos:
Amanda Shires – Our Problem (featuring Angie Stone, Cyndi Lauper, K. Flay, Lilly Hiatt, Linda Perry, Morgane Stapleton, Nona Hendryx, Peaches, Valerie June)
Back in September 2020, the singer-songwriter released “The Problem” a duet with her husband Jason Isbell. The poignant pro-choice tune has been revamped to feature several notable women artists. It was appropriately released on January 22 to commemorate the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.
Ben Harper – Black Beauty
This stirring black empowerment tune by the veteran singer-songwriter was written for the documentary Black Boys.
Femi Kuti – As We Struggle Everyday
This galvanizing tune is off the upcoming album Legacy + which is due out February 5. The double album features one album from Femi and another from his son Made. The songs build upon the legacy that was established by their legendary father and grandfather Fela.
Cody Canada & The Departed – Shut Up and Sing (featuring Todd Snider, Kaitlin Butts)
Canada was inspired to compose “Shut Up and Sing” during a live stream performance where he was told to ‘shut up and sing” by a viewer who was unhappy with Canada’s political opinions. Canada makes it clear that he won’t be silenced.
Haviah Mighty – Antisocial (featuring Old Man Saxon)
The latest single by the acclaimed Canadian rapper well articulates the feelings many are feeling during the pandemic. Not as explicitly political as some of her tunes, but it does promote a spirit of willful nonconformity.
Foo Fighters – Waiting On A War
This is the latest single and video from the veteran’s rock band’s upcoming tenth album Medicine at Midnight which is due out February 5. The anti-war tune was inspired by a conversation that Dave Grohl had with his daughter Harper: “Last fall, as I was driving my daughter to school, she turned to me and asked, ‘Daddy, is there going to be a war? My heart sank as I realized that she was now living under the same dark cloud that I had felt 40 years ago. I wrote ‘Waiting on a War’ that day. Everyday waiting for the sky to fall. Is there more to this than that? Is there more to this than just waiting on a war? Because I need more. We all do.”
DJ Free Leonard – Traditional Way of Life (featuring Leonard Peltier, Tom Morello)
DJ Free Leonard is the first cousin of longtime political prisoner Leonard Peltier. His music often speaks out in the defence of Peltier and other political prisoners who find themselves unjustly imprisoned. This collaboration with Tom Morello also features spoken word from Peltier.
Descendents – That’s The Breaks
This anti-Trump tune by the influential melodic hardcore band may only clock in at 42 seconds, but it does pack a lot of weight.
Jamie Holmes – Green Revolution
The video to this timely climate change protest tune also features Holmes doing a time-lapse painting which adds further weight to the song’s message.
Las Cafeteras – If I Was President (Remix featuring Sa-Roc, QVLN, Mega Ran, Boog Brown)
This a reworking of a song that was released in 2017 to protest the inauguration of Trump. The additional verses added increased relevance to the current political climate.
Adrian Sutherland – Respect The Gift
This is the second solo single of the frontman of Canadian Indigenous roots-rock band Midnight Shine. The song is an empowering tune about using our gifts for goods.
John Fogerty – Weeping in the Promise Land
The latest tune by the legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman was previously featured as a daily dose of protest.
Willie Jones – American Dream
This track is off his latest album Right Now. This timely tune effectively addresses systemic issues such as police brutality.
Tom Morrello and Serj Tankian – Natural’s Not In It
System of the Down frontman and Rage Against the Machine guitarist join forces for this Gang of Four cover. It was recorded in tribute to the band’s guitarist Andy Gill who died on February 1, 2020. It will appear on the tribute album The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four.
Sir Sly – Citizen (Featuring Gary Clark Jr.)
This collaboration between the indie rock band and the blues-rocker was released on inauguration day. It is a scathing critique of the past four years of Trump, but it also addresses issues that existed before Trump and haven’t miraculously gone away.
Marlon Craft – State of the Union
This politically explicit tune rebukes white supremacy and other systemic ills. It is from his upcoming album How We Intended, out on February 10.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – O.N.E.
This latest single and video from the prolific and eclectic Australian rock band addresses current issues such as climate change.
The Homeless Gospel Choir – Guilt Buffet
This folk-punk track is off a four-way spilt EP by nonprofit label Awkward Aardvark Records as a benefit for the Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy.
Billy Nomates – Heels
Billy Nomates had one of the best protest albums of 2020 with her self-titled debut. Her latest single is from the Emergency Telephone EP, which will be released on March 5. The EP will deal with communication breakdowns; personally, mentally, and physically.
Albums:
Ani DiFranco – Revolutionary Love
This is the 22nd studio album by the veteran singer-songwriter, feminist icon, and recent inductee to the Protest Music Hall of Fame. Like many of her albums, the political and personal intersect for an emotionally powerful listening experience.
Jesse Jett – Inauguration Gift
Jett released one of the best protest albums of 2020, with the epic 24 track, 90-minute political concept album The Virus. He followed that up with the more concise Inauguration Gift which features 13 tracks at 45 minutes. Appropriately it was released on inauguration day. Despite the shorter duration, it may even pack more of a direct political punch than its predecessor. The prolific Jett also released the 1950s inspired EP The Geiger Age earlier in the month, with addresses nuclear fallout.
Jesse Jett also was a guest on episode 30 of the podcast where he discussed his plans and motivation for this album. Also, “Amendment 13 (Homo Detritus)” from the album was previously featured as a daily dose of protest.
Sleaford Mods – Spare Ribs
The latest album by the UK electro-punk duo well articulates the frustrations many are feeling with the pandemic, Brexit, and a whole slew of other issues being experienced in England and beyond.
qhost revievv – tar
I can’t find out too much about qhost revievv, but on Spotify, she is referred to as a DIY experimental pop artist and on Bandcamp, she is described as “your skeleton queen” and “straight edge queer noise.” This compelling album touches upon themes both political and religious and she creates a sound that is dark and edgy.
The Anti Virals – Brainwashed
This old-school punk album features fist-pumping tunes that well sums up the turmoil of 2020, which is now spilling over to 2021.
Th1rt3en – A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism
The debut album by the rap-rock project of influential underground rapper Pharoahe Monch is an explosive collection of tunes dealing with the need to exorcise the systemic evils which continue to haunt society.
“Cult 45” off the album was previously featured as a daily dose of protest.
Nick Lutsko – Songs On The Computer
This album by the comedic singer songwriter features infectious melodies and satirical wit. It was released in December 2020 on Bandcamp but received a wide release on streaming platforms on January 7, the day after the attack on the US Capitol (not sure if that was intentional, but it seems appropriate).
Countless Thousands – … and the Triumph of Justice
This album is an ambitious punk opera that simultaneously looks back to the past and towards the future while also addressing the present.
Two Teachers and a Microphone – Ring The Bell
This is the recent album by a hip-hop duo that features two teachers who perform wearing wrestling masks to protect their identities. The songs address public education policy. The duo is heavily involved in education activism and regularly perform at rallies. The album is a funky way to educate yourself on the issues that plague the education system.
Mat Ward – Interplanetary Species
The latest concept album by the Australian future bass artist addresses the efforts by Elon Musk and others to colonize Mars. Not necessarily explicitly political, but does address potential social issues that could arise from these efforts.
Mat Ward was a guest on episode 8 of the podcast where he discussed his work on this album and the concept behind it.
Oceans of Mars – Truthifixion
Oceans of Mars is the solo project of Eric Bruckbauer, the guitarist from Seattle’s safety punk band, Warning: Danger! Bruckbauer wrote the songs to express his frustration with both the quarantine and the fascist leanings of former president Donald Trump. He effectively creates in-your-face tunes that call out liberal apathy.
Below is the ongoing playlist of 2021 protest songs, featuring the music that appears on the website.