Emma Donovan, from the artist’s Bandcamp.
Here is a summary of notable socially conscious music released during April.
Songs/Video:
Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other – Orville Peck & Willie Nelson
This tune was written and originally performed by Latin country musician Ned Sublette in 1981. The satirical tune which explores stereotypes connected with gay men and cowboys was covered on a few occasions until it received mainstream attention when it was covered by Willie Nelson in 2006. It was snubbed by country radio but it did chart at #52 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This duet with Canadian alt-country singer is a single off Peck’s forthcoming duet album Stampede: Vol. 1, out May 10.
New Bible – Ani Difranco
This is the latest single off the veteran singer-songwriter’s forthcoming 23rd album Unprecedented Sh!t out May 17. Addressing common topics for DiFranco this tune addresses both pro-choice and environmentalism and includes the poignant lyrics: “I think we should have a new bible / that just says: mother earth /and I think men should stand down when women give birth.”
One Myna – Kapil Seshasayee
This is the latest single from the Scottish-Indian protest musician. The tune taps into Seshasayee’s cultural heritage and conveys the idea of preserving in times of uncertainty.
Agree To Disagree – Mammal
This is the latest single and video from the Australian rocker’s latest album The Penny Drop. The band cites Aboriginal activist Gary Foley as an influence. Discussing the tune, frontman Ezekiel Ox stated: “It’s our response to people who support bombing kids and genocide, wherever it is happening. Mammal doesn’t care what ice-cream flavour you like, or how you choose to dress. But we do take issue with those who are apologists for apartheid, occupation and war criminals. We say what we want, how we want and play loud and proud. We believe that at its best, rock’n’roll is a form of rebellion. Punters know when they come to the show that we give a shit, about the music, about them, about their schools and unis, their hospitals and parks, their housing situation. We always punch up, and we aren’t pulling the ladder up behind us.”
Albums:
pink balloons – Ekko Astral
This is the debut album by the experimental punk band fronted by climate reporter Jael Holzman. The album addresses issues ranging from her experiences as a trans woman and the ills of capitalism.
Sun Without the Heat – Leyla McCalla
Long before Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, McCalla explored the black musician’s contributions to the history of country music and Americana. She did this through her work with Our Native Daughters, Carolina Chocolate Drops, and her solo work. Her 5th album also effectively taps into music from the African diaspora.
My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall – Various Artists
Speaking of McCalla she also appeared on this compilation of tunes composed by Alice Randall, a novelist and songwriter who was the first black woman to compose a number-one tune on the US country charts. Randall made the following statement concerning the project: “I had songs recorded in the 80s, in the 90s, in the 2000s, and 2010s, but I never once had the joy of hearing one of the songs that I wrote from the perspective of a Black woman recorded by a Black woman. With this project…I hope to change that.”
Humble As The Sun – Bob Vylan
This is the 3rd album by the UK grime punk band. Like their previous albums, they are unafraid to be explicitly political addressing governmental and corporate greed and exploitation.
Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace – Shabaka
This is the solo debut of UK jazz musician Shabaka Hutchings. Like his previous efforts, it embraces his African heritage and displays a social consciousness.
Roots – Black Roots
The latest album by the veteran UK roots reggae band chronicles the African roots of Black Britons and the challenges that they faced.
Love & Service – Brother Ali & Unjust
The 8th album by rapper and activist Brother Ali is a collaboration with producer Unjust. Like previous releases, the album features poignant critiques of systemic corruption. It balances this with a positive message of love and service, as demonstrated by the album’s title track.
Al Otro Lado – Rotura
The latest album by the anarchic punk trio from Barcelona promotes the need to care for each other while also shedding a spotlight on societal ills such as police brutality, environmental deterioration, and mistreatment of migrant workers.
Til My Song Is Done – Emma Donovan
The latest country-tinged album by the Australian Indigenous musician Emma Donovan was in response to issues such as Indigenous children being kept in lockdown as a fire spread through Darwin’s Don Dale prison and anti-fracking protests. The Gumbayngirr, Dhungutti, and Yamatji singer made the following statement concerning the album: “It feels like history is repeating itself because we are still singing about issues that are as relevant today in this country as they were back then. I wanted to acknowledge how tiring and hard this can be.”
No Moon – Spoon Jackson
This is the latest project from FREER Records (formerly Die Jim Crow), the first US record label for current and formerly incarcerated musicians. Spoon Jackson is an accomplished poet who more than 45 years ago, at the age of 20 was given a life sentence without parole (outlined on the album track “Hard But True”). Featuring production and musical contributions from Nicolas Snyder, the lo-fi and chilling soundscape adds weight to Jackson’s candid telling of the plight of the imprisoned.
Bearing Witness – David Rovics
This is the 2nd album of the year by the prolific singer-songwriter and activist. He previously released the urgent Notes From A Holocaust, addressing the situation in Gaza. This album continues its commentary on the Gaza genocide, but the album is also broader in scope, addressing other systemic ills as well. It also features a couple of reworkings of previously released tunes “St Patrick Battalion” and “In One World”.
Vault 1312 – Sole & DJ Pain 1
The latest album from political rapper Sole and producer DJ Pain 1 addresses issues such as “greedflation” which refers to corporations increasing their prices above the inflation rate. Beyond the ills of capitalism, the album also addresses police brutality and systemic racism.
We’re Doomed, We’re Dancing: Sixty Apocalypses – Downupright
This unique concept album consists of 60 tunes, and 60 different genres, each 60 seconds long. Each one-minute track addresses various aspects of the pending apocalypse from climate change, bombs/wars, and even a black metal tune about God and Satan destroying the earth.
Check out the ongoing playlist of 2024 protest music.