Kaia Kater, artist’s Bandcamp
Here is a summary of notable socially conscious music released during May.
Songs/Videos:
Hinds Hall – Macklemore
The title of this hard-hitting protest tune is a reference to student protesters renaming Hamilton Hall at Columbia University to Hind’s Hall in honor of Hind Rajab, the six-year-old Palestinian girl murdered by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. The tune is a scathing indictment of police who arrested protesting students and governmental officials who support genocide. Macklemore also released a video featuring scenes from student protests, including acts of police brutality. All proceeds from the single go to UNRWA USA.
Colorful State – Kishi Bashi
This is the first single off Kishi Bashi’s new album Kantos which will be released on August 23. “‘Colorful State’ is a song about celebrating the complexities of our human lives, how we can feel that we’re in a constant flux between utter joy and sullen uncertainty, and everything in between,” explains Bashi. “This song is a warm embrace of that inevitability of change, and that for every sunset, there will always be a sunrise the next morning.” The album addresses concerns about AI and potential human demise. It balances the somberness with a sense of joy.
Kaleidoscope (featuring Travis Thompson) – Snotty Nose Rez Kids
This is the latest single off the Canadian Indigenous hip-hop duo’s upcoming album Red Future, out September 13. The tune refers to missing indigenous people. It is also an anthem of perseverance.
Albums:
Unprecedented Sh!t – Ani DiFranco
On the veteran sing-songwriter 23rd album she explores common socio-political themes that she has addressed throughout her career. She made the following statement concerning the motives of the album: “We find ourselves in unprecedented times in many ways, faced with unprecedented challenges.”
Dark Times – Vince Staples
The candid album by Vince Staples is more personal than political, but he does delve into socio-political issues such as economic inequality.
Funeral For Justice – Mdou Moctar
The latest album by the Niger-based Tuareg musician is a powerful denouncement of colonial injustice. Moctar feels it is important to use his music to speak out. “We have to say that even if it’s difficult, even if it’s unsafe for us,” he said. “All those feelings push us to do this album and give it this strong name: Funeral for Justice.”
Frog In Boiling Water – DIIV
DIIV’s 4th album is a political shoegaze that examines the ills of capitalism. The title refers to the experiment in which a frog fails to jump out of water as the temperature is gradually increased, eventually killing the frog.
66 – Paul Weller
The 17th solo album by The Jam and The Style Council is one of his most political. Both the opener and the closer critiques political incompetency and the need for change.
Strange Medicine – Kaia Kater
The latest album by the Canadian musician explores the concept of healing from both personal and political turmoil. Featuring a gifted cast of musicians such as Allison Russell, Aoife O’Donovan, and Taj Mahal, they well complement Kater’s considerable musical chops and her ability as a social commentator.
Anniversary – Adeem The Artist
The latest album by the country singer is the perfect balance of the personal and political. It addresses topics such as racist police officers (White Mule, Black Man)’, desensitization of war (Night Sweats), and the ongoing attack on queer rights (Nightmare). Adeem made the following statement concerning the motivation behind his music: “While I don’t consider myself a political activist, I do consider myself committed to the prophetic power of the truth and bound by blood oath to an ancient God who tasks me to seek peace and seek justice.”
Kleptocracy – Ferocious Dog
The latest album by the British Celtic punk band is a scathing indictment of British politics. Lead singer Ken Bonsall made the following statement concerning the album title: “Like a lot of people, I had never heard of the word kleptocracy. There’s autocracies and democracies, but what we have now in Britain is a kleptocracy. I saw it on a T-shirt and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s exactly what we have got with this government.'”
T.O.tality – Take Offense
The 4th album by the crossover band blends high-adrenaline tunes that appeal to skateboard culture with incisive social commentary. One of the album highlights is the indigenous anthem “Stolen Land.”
To Follow Polaris – The Tangent
The latest album by the UK prog band includes the 21-minute “The Anachronism”, which includes the biting lyrics “Is it really ‘freedom’ with that ballot slip you’ve been filling in so long? Democracy failed us, autocracy sucks, kleptocracy’s a rip-off, theocracy’s fucked. Bureaucracy drives us, and the technocrats don’t care, they keep fanning the flames of discontentment, anyway, anyhow, anywhere.”
Echoes Of The Devils Den – Terminal Nation
The potent sophomore album by the death metal/hardcore band packs a heavy wallop. It also savagely rips apart systemic institutions as exemplified in “No Reform (New Age Slave Patrol).” (“Fuck every fucking cop that’s ever fucking lived!”)
Tools of Oppression / Rule by Deception – The Hope Conspiracy
The latest album by the veteran hardcore band is a dystopian look at sociopolitical nightmares. The album aggressively takes aim at themes such as economic manipulation, war profiteering, and media propaganda.
Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force – Tzompantli
This is the sophomore album by the death/doom metal project of Brian Ortiz. He incorporates indigenous instrumentation like the Aztec death whistle, shells, shakers, and teponaztli slit drums. He also sings in the Nahuatl language to help paint a portrait of Mexico before colonization.
Slack Your Horse! – Goblin Band
Goblin Band is a collective of queer, musicians based around the London folk-instrument shop Hobgoblin Music. Their debut EP features some tunes as far back as the mid-17th century. Despite the age, modern-day parallels can be drawn.
This Machine Kills Transphobia – Ryan Cassata
This EP by the transgender activist and musician is a six-track collection of political folk-punk tunes that take sharp aim that the forces that try to suppress trans rights such as organized religion and political conservatism.
Check out the ongoing playlist of 2024 protest music.