Hurray For The Riff Raff, from the artist’s Bandcamp
I started this website back on December 6th, 2017. During that first month, I hastily compiled a list of the 25 best protest albums. Back then I wasn’t cataloguing what I was listening to like I am now. I decided to revisit the list and expand it to 40. You will notice much of the music was influenced by the aftermath of the US presidential election. There is also a diverse selection of non-American music that sheds light on global concerns. I also plan on going back and presenting best albums lists for years that predated the formation of this website.
Also, the original list was in ranked numerical order, a practice I have since abandoned because I decided it wasn’t in line with this website’s objective (even though there are still a few numerical lists kicking around that I may eventually revise). This list is presented in alphabetical order.
The Underside of Power – Algiers
When the album’s opening track features a sound byte from murdered Black Panther Fred Hampton (“Walk Like a Panther”) that is a clear statement of intent. The band’s mix of industrial, punk, and gospel is an explosive hybrid that is well suited to the band’s literary lyrical approach. The effectiveness of this genre fusion is best exemplified by the title track that references multiple poets and Sam Cooke’s civil rights classic “A Change Is Gonna Come”.
All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ – Joey Bada$$
On Joey Badda$$’s sophomore album, the conscious rapper makes it clear that there are still “Three K’s, Two A’s in AmeriKKKa” (“Land of the Free”). Throughout the album, he skillfully articulates the challenges of being a young black man in America.
Bloodlust – Body Count
2017 provided plenty to be angry about, and Body Count, the heavy metal project of Ice-T, provides the perfect outlet for him to express his righteous indignation towards issues such as police brutality and racism. Hard-hitting tunes such as “Black Hoodie” and “No Lives Matter” (previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest) share similarities to Body Count’s 1991 controversial tune “Cop Killer”.
Freedom Is Free – Chicano Batman
Musically the album is an exhilarating mix of American soul, funk, and Brazilian tropicalia. The lyrics are also socially aware as best reflected in the anthemic title track and “The Taker Story” which indict capitalistic and colonial institutions that contribute to “genocide and extinction, all the functions of civilization.”
Binary – Ani DiFranco
On DiFranco’s 20th album, she continues to champion social change. Some of the songs make abstract statements on social consciousness (“Binary”), while others, like the reproductive rights anthem “Play God” are more direct. The album closes with “Deferred Gratification” which expresses hope that keeping up the fight won’t be in vain and that future generations will step up and right the ship.
The Unlawful Assembly – Dawn Ray’d
The debut album by the UK anarchist black metal trio skillfully blends elements of traditional rebel folk tunes. The album’s Bandcamp page describes it best: “This is a 10-song strong call to arms, these are battle hymns for the coming class war.”
Mountain Moves – Deerhoof
The 14th album by the experimental band is one of the band’s most melodic and lyrically direct. Along with stirring originals that call out political corruption and support community organizing, it also includes three well-placed socially conscious covers.
Basic – Divide and Dissolve
The debut album by the Australian female instrumental doom metal duo proves that testosterone isn’t required to bring the heavy. With track titles such as “Black Power”, “Black Resistance” and “Black & Indigenous”, they make clear their missive to tear down colonial structures and destroy white supremacy. The only track with lyrics is the album closer “Crimes of the Future” which features a poignant spoken word contribution from Minori Sanchiz-Fung.
Cost of Living – Downtown Boys
Downtown Boys have described themselves as a “bilingual political dance sax punk party, ” which aptly describes this multi-racial and multi-gendered band. Front woman Victoria Ruiz effectively expresses her rage both in English and Spanish. One of their targets is Trump’s racist and xenophobic policies, best described in “A Wall”. Within a thirty-five minute span, they cover lots of ground, addressing issues ranging from police brutality, labor rights, and gender issues. There is plenty of anger, but that is balanced with optimism. Just like Woody Guthrie had a sticker on his guitar that stated “This machine kills fascist”, Downtown Boys view their music as a weapon for positive change.
American Love – Fast Romantics
This album from the Canadian indie rock band demonstrates how the political landscape can change the direction of an artist’s music. Originally the band intended to write an album of love songs, but the 2016 US election transformed the tunes. The album now became an examination of being in love at a time of political uncertainty. In an interview with Exclaim magazine, frontman and chief songwriter Matthew Angus made the following statement “…The American election went bizarre and took over the Canadian one, everybody’s obsession with social media hit some kind of peak, and suddenly everyone, everywhere, was talking about America. Smartphones were going off like bombs everywhere I went. It started seeping into the songwriting, and now I’m not even sure how to describe it. Is it a collection of love songs about politics or is it a collection of political songs about love?”
Audible Songs From Rockwood – Fiver
Fiver is the alias of Canadian musician Simone Schmidt. The basis of Audible Songs From Rockwood is case files of female inmates at the Rockwood Asylum for the Criminally Insane between 1854-1881. Over a two-year period, she closely scrutinized the documents. The detailed research results in a literary narrative that transcends standard song lyrics. Musically the songs have an old-time field recording feel. The album raises pertinent questions concerning the treatment of the mentally ill and the prison industrial complex.
Freedom Highway – Rhiannon Giddens
The past can be a useful tool in helping to navigate the future and as a curator of folk traditions, Giddens plays an integral role. Even though nine of the twelve songs are new compositions (the album’s title track is a cover of The Staple Singers’ civil rights classic), they all have an old-timey feel. Giddens plays the role of a historical tour guide helping the listener traverse the entire American black experience through slavery, and the civil rights movement, right down to our present day. The album is insightful and inspiring.
This Trip – Petra Glynt
The album cover makes the intent clear with an appearance of a tombstone with the inscription “R.I.P. Patriarchy”. The debut full-length by the Canadian experimental pop artist is a poignant thesis on the political climate. The music moves your body and engages the mind. Glynt made the following statement concerning the motives of the album: “It was a journey, a trip in itself. It’s not in the psychedelic sense of like ‘tripping out,’ it’s about people, the world, our political system, our economic system, and the world with Trump. We’ve been taken on this wild ride. The music is in support of social movements and in support of people power.”
The title track was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Tackle Box – Hamell On Trial
The title of the 10th album by the anti-folk project of Ed Hamell is a reference to the claustrophobic political climate. Featuring his acerbic wit, Hamell addresses issues such as police brutality, school shootings, and the Trump presidency. The album is also influenced by fatherhood and grappling with how you help your child navigate these tumultuous times. Hamell aptly describes the album as “Catharsis! A semi-humourous approach to some crazy political times!”
Previously featured album track “Not Aretha’s Respect (Cops)” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Too Dumb For Suicide: Tim Heidecker’s Trump Song – Tim Heidecker
Satire and parody are effective tools for offering insightful political commentary. Heidecker of comedy duo Tim & Eric composes an album worth of satirical anti-Trump tunes. Even though there is a degree of tongue-in-cheekness, such as encouraging his listeners to cold cock white supremacist Richard Spencer, the album does have serious undertones (such as “Trump Talkin Nukes”). Even though Trump is the butt of the joke, you get the sense that Heidecker doesn’t view the situation as a harmless punchline. The album also features Father John Misty covering Heidecker’s “Trump’s Private Pilot”.
Navigator – Hurray For The Riff Raff
After releasing the breakthrough 2014 album, Small Time Heroes, frontperson Alynda Segarra took a bit of a sabbatical and traveled to Puerto Rico to reconnect with their roots. They observed the damage done by the debt crisis, but they also witnessed how Puerto Rico’s culture continued to thrive despite the economic hardships. They also traveled back to the Bronx, where they grew up, and saw how gentrification impacted the culture. Those experiences greatly shaped the album. The album is very much written about the immigrant experience and highlights the different efforts to suppress different cultures (“First they stole our language/Then they stole our names/Then they stole the things that brought us faith” – Rican Beach”). The issues of cultural assimilation are also well addressed in “Pa’lante” (short for “para adelante”, which translates to “onward” or “forward”). The album was released a number of months before Hurricane Irma & Maria, but the album took on greater resonance after the fact. It is a powerful album that addresses serious issues while maintaining a sense of optimism.
Ash – Ibeyi
The sophomore album of the French-Cuban twin sister R&B duo features impeccable vocal harmonies and a keen social awareness. The duo effectively taps into personal experiences when addressing themes such as female empowerment and racial profiling.
Brutalism – IDLES
The debut album by the UK post-punk album is the perfect mix of the personal and political. Much of the album is the lead singer Joe Talbot’s grappling emotionally with the death of his mom, but it also expresses plenty of righteous indignation towards toxic masculinity, the state of health class, and unbalanced class systems.
Irreversible Entanglements – Irreversible Entanglements
A prime example of how music can be an extension of activism is the politically minded avant-garde jazz band formed in early 2015 when saxophonist Keir Neuringer, poet Camae Ayewa (a.k.a. Moor Mother), and bassist Luke Stewart performed together at a Musicians Against Police Brutality event organized after the murder of Akai Gurley by the NYPD. They ended up being joined by trumpeter Aquiles Navarro and drummer Tcheser Holmes on their stunning debut album which poignantly discusses the effects of black trauma and provides listeners with a galvanizing message of liberation.
The Nashville Sound – Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Isbell has been widely considered one of the best living singer-songwriters for a few years, and The Nashville Sound helped solidify that claim. The tunes were influenced by fatherhood and concerns about the world his daughter would be growing up in. Many songs grapple with deeply ingrained attitudes associated with the South, attitudes that contributed to Trump being elected. Many of Isbell’s kinsfolk were drawn to the regressive MAGA because they failed to realize what they viewed as the good ol’ days were oppressive to many. Songs such as “White Man’s World” eloquently discuss the subject of white privilege and disillusionment over the results of the 2016 US presidential elections. The last two tracks “Hope The High Road” and “Something to Love” end with a cautious optimism that things will get better if you don’t give up hope.
Meant to Be – JB the First Lady
The Canadian indigenous rapper is a compelling advocate of Native issues (the opening track addresses the ongoing history of indigenous genocide). The album also portrays a voice of optimistic confidence, which motivates her listeners not to be overwhelmed by trying times (“O.O.T.G.”). It also discusses how showing love and striving to have a positive family life is an act of resistance. Parents and educators can play an essential role in helping to mold the next generation to become catalysts for change.
DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar
Damn is a pretty apt one-word description of 2017. The album is a worthy follow-up to Lamar’s 2015 masterpiece To Pimp a Butterfly. Lamar discusses Trump being the backlash of the 1st black president, race relations, gun control, police brutality, and a number of other issues connected with being black in America. He continues to be the torch-bearer for socially conscious hip hop.
Brick Body Kids Still Daydream – Open Mike Eagle
Brick Body Kids Still Daydream is a concept album about living in the now defunct Robert Taylor Homes public housing project in Chicago. The project was notoriously known for being mismanaged (“We live in a space that should have never existed” – “(How Could Anybody) Feel at Home”). Even though the album eloquently deals with the complex realities of living in the projects, it also balances it with a sense of cautious optimism. The album also makes reference to how hip-hop was a life-saving outlet for Eagle and others from the projects. It highlights how positive outlets are needed to help the next generation of brick body kids to escape the cycle of poverty, drugs, and violence.
Heart First Aid Kit – Grace Petrie & The PC Brigade
The 7th full-length album by UK singer-songwriter Grace Petrie is an endearing collection of tunes that strike the right balance of the personal and the political. Filled with heart and humor, Petrie proves to be an adept social commentator, touching on issues connected to UK Brexit, post-MAGA America, and impostor syndrome.
Nightmare Logic – Power Trip
The thrash band’s sophomore album blends epic heaviness with vivid lyrical imagery. The images are used to righteously rally against those doing harm to humankind, such as religious hypocrites, dishonest politicians, and money-hungry, polluting CEOs.
All American Made – Margo Price
Country music is not known for its politics and the listener base for country music tends to lean conservative. Price is a rare species, a left-leaning country singer/songwriter who is not afraid to write and sing about politics (even though it is starting to become less rare). She addresses issues of gender inequality (“Pay Gap”) and agricultural rights (“Heart of America”). The album’s title track is a mournful indictment of American greed and corruption, makes reference to Ronald Reagan and the Iran-Contra scandal, and expresses disillusionment over Trump’s presidency. She also dedicated the album to Tom Petty who died a few weeks before the album’s release (which just happened to be released on Petty’s birthday, October 20th) and references Petty’s “American Girl” in the title track.
Nothing Feels Natural – Priests
The Washington, D.C.-based Priests prove that punk can still be a vital cultural force. The album is anti-corporate and tackles the issues of consumerism (“It feels good to buy something you can’t afford” – “Appropriate”), identity politics, and the illusion of choice (“Sign a letter, throw your shoe, vote for numbers 1 or 2” – “Pink White House”). It definitely is fitting the album was released the same week that Donald Trump took office. It is the soundtrack of political disillusionment.
Victory Lap – Propagandhi
Veteran Canadian punk/metal hybrid band is still raging with plenty of righteous indignation on their 7th studio album. The album provides razor-sharp critiques of subjects ranging from police brutality (“Comply/ Resist”), indigenous people/ environmental rights (“Call Before You Dig”, “Comply/ Resist) and animal rights (“Lower Order (A Good Laugh)”). They are three decades strong and still one of the most vital and politically impactful bands.
Relatives in Descent – Protomartyr
The 4th album by the American post-punk band well articulated the post-election angst many were feeling. The apocalyptic musical vibe meshed well with astute observations on serious topics such as unfettered capitalism and toxic masculinity. Lyrically there is just enough glimmer of hope to not be a total bummer.
Punk Baroque – David Rovics
Rovics has been a prolific songwriter and tireless political activist for over two decades. Even though much of his music is commercially available, he also makes it all available for free and he produces free sheet music so that his songs can be played at rallies. Punk Baroque was one of three albums he released in 2017. The album’s poignant examinations include issues such as gentrification, union rights, corporate corruption, native rights, and the regressive nature of MAGA. Rovics is a DIY folk-punk journeyman and thankfully his journey is still going strong.
Medicine Songs – Buffy Sainte-Marie
For over five decades, Buffy Sainte-Marie has been a tireless advocate for native rights and positive social change. On her 18th studio album, she continues to fight the good fight. The album mixes passionate reworkings of classic Sainte-Mare tunes such as “My Country ‘Tis of Thy People You’re Dying.” “Now That the Buffalo’s Gone” and the anti-war standard “Universal Soldier”. It also features two poignant new tracks “The War Racket” and “You Got to Run (Spirit of the Wind)” which was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest).
Clever Girl – Sharptooth
The explosive debut by the politically-minded hardcore band takes direct aim at misogynists, racists, homophobes, rapists, and rape apologists. Tunes such as “No Sanctuary” taps into vocalist Lauren Kashan’s experience of the hatred inflicted upon the LGBTQIA community while “Fuck You Donald Trump” makes it clear how they feel about the then newly elected president.
Need To Feel Your Love – Sheer Mag
The Philadephia rock band’s debut is a glorious fusion of 1970s classic rock and radical politics. The formidable vocals of Christina Halladay are the perfect vehicle for addressing topics such as anti-Nazi activism, voter suppression, and systemic racism. Lyrcally there is a clear understanding of the historical developments of social movements, which adds considerable weight to the message.
The Average Savage – Snotty Nose Rez Kids
During the 2016 US Presidential Election, there were those who discussed moving to Canada if Trump was elected. Canada is known for being polite. They are also the polar opposite when it comes to dealing with issues such as health care and gun control. They are also perceived as being less racist. Even if that perception is accurate, the reality is that Canada doesn’t have the best track record with race relations. That is especially the case if you examine their dark history concerning their mistreatment of indigenous people. These issues are addressed by the hard-hitting Haisla First Nation rap group on tracks such as “KKKanada”. They also destroy Native stereotypes and skillfully tackle the issue of cultural appropriation in tunes such as “Savages” and “Redskin Cowboys”.
Résistance – Songhoy Blues
Sometimes the simple act of making music can be a powerful act of resistance. That is definitely the case with the desert blues band from Mali who formed at a time when an oppressive governmental regime banned music in their country. On their sophomore album, they do more than create impeccably crafted music with an infectious groove, they also lyrically address topics such as racism and governmental corruption.
Spinifex Gum – Spinifex Gum
This is the debut album by the Australian collaborative project featuring members of the alt-rock band and the all-female Indigenous ensemble Marliya Choir. Sung in both English and Yindjibarndi, this an example of how protest music can be celebratory while featuring incisive lyrics that hit the intended targets such as corrupt cops, unjust justice systems, and those who contribute to environmental ruin in the name of greed.
If All I Was Was Black – Mavis Staples
Between her work with the iconic The Staples Singers and her solo career, Staples is no stranger to socially conscious music. She is considered a key voice within the civil rights movement. Even at this late stage of her career, she refuses to rest on her laurels. On her 16th studio album, she collaborates with Jeff Tweedy who produced and wrote for her 10 songs that would fit in nicely with the ’60s civil rights movement. But with the current political climate, the tunes are also representative of modern times.
Big Fish Theory – Vince Staples
On his sophomore album, the rapper mixes avant-garde dystopian musical arrangements which complement the nihilistic lyrics. One of the album’s many highlights is “BagBak” which is an incisive critique of the broken prison system, police brutality, gentrification, and both political party’s failure to address the needs of the black community. Throughout the album, Staples holds up a mirror to the harsh realities of society, but he does balance it out with brief moments of optimism.
Survival Pop – Worriers
Lauren Denitzio, the Worriers frontperson and lyricist eloquently explores what it is like to be a non-binary queer feminist living in Trump’s America. The songs address issues of identity politics, non-conformity, and coping with trauma. Being a pop-punk album there is plenty of melody and hooks, but lyrically it transcends the usual standards of the genre. As the album title suggests these are inspiring anthems of survival. It is the perfect album for the times we’re living in.
The Visitor – Neil Young & The Promise of The Real
The Visitor is Neil Young’s 39th album and he is as political as ever. The album offers pointed critiques of Trump and the current landscape of living in Trump’s America. Young has plenty of vitriol for the 45th President. He refers to him as a “game show host who has to brag and has to boast about tearing down the things that I hold dear.” (“Almost Always”) and “The boy king don’t believe in science” (“Stand Tall”). Young also receives solid musical backing from Promise of the Real which features two of Willie Nelson’s sons Lukas and Micah.