New year, but there is still plenty to protest. Here is a sampling of the socially conscious music released during the month.
Songs/Videos:
Protect the Cross – JPEGMAFIA
This is the lead single off the soon-to-be-released I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU (DIRECTOR’S CUT), an expanded edition (with different track order) of the album which was included as one of the best protest albums of 2024. The tunes feature the metallic elements featured on the original release and include provocative lines such as “White bitches ain’t vote for Kamala, they lied/ So I lie when I’m trying to get that in that box” and the refrain, “2025, your politics is a gang sign.”
Scene 1 – Sumac & Moor Mother
This is the first single from the upcoming collaborative album The Film, which features experimental metal band Sumac and avant-garde jazz poet Moor Mother. The intense tune features potent lyrics that reference systemic racism.
Horses – Jesse Welles
This is the first track from the prolific singer-songwriter’s upcoming album Middle, slated to be released on February 21st. Welles described the tune as a “pro-love song” and stated, “Fear leads to hate. Hate leads to atrocities. You build up walls. If you love everyone, it’s a lot easier on you—and everybody else too.”
Educate, Agitate, Organise – Kapil Seshasayee
The latest single by the experimental musician plans on releasing new music every 8 weeks in 2025. On this tune, Kapil Seshasayee reconnects with his South Indian roots with this Carnatic Indian Classical-inspired instrumental, named after the words of famous Indian freedom fighter B.R Ambedkar.
I Can’t Lie – B. Alexis
This is the latest release from Freer Record, the only record label dedicated to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated musicians. B. Alexis wrote this poignant tune to guide her son Ja’Mir through real-life challenges while she serves a 30-year sentence in prison. Sadly, on February 1st, 2024, her son was murdered early in the morning at his school bus stop at 18 years old. As mentioned in the press release “This record is dedicated to all the youth who are suffering due to having incarcerated parents.”
In Our Blood – Mat Ward
This is the latest single by the Australian electronic artist and journalist. According to Ward, “This song tells the story of how cancer-causing forever chemicals have spread worldwide, from Teflon pans to our water, air, and blood.
CASTLE (for my friends) – Anya Turner & Robert Grusecki
This is the latest tune from the socially aware New York City duo who have experienced success composing for musical theatre. They made the following statement about the song, “When the world seems out of control and you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the chaos, it’s time to take shelter in a safe place. “So I’m gonna build a castle for my friends’ safekeeping…” Hope you enjoy this song of hope, love, determination, and invention.”
Mary Howe, How Could You? – Free
Free is the alias of Michael Taylor, a San Francisco-based singer-songwriter and activist who uses his music to expose the cover-up of abuses within San Francisco’s nonprofit social services system. Mary Howe is a nonprofit director in San Francisco who aided in the cover-up of sexual abuse within San Francisco’s Homelessness Response System.
Albums:
Who Let the Dogs Out – Lambrini Girls
The scathing album by the UK feminist punk band righteously rages against corrupt cops, misogynists, and homophobes. They pull no punches in, hitting their targets.
Héritage – Songhoy Blues
On their 4th album by the desert blues band, they fuse their rich Malian heritage with fresh acoustic arrangements, exploring themes of identity, migration, and tradition.
You Are the Morning – jasmine.4.t
Jasmine.4.t is a trans woman whose album is an honest exploration of her journey. The album uses the morning as a metaphor for new beginnings, regardless of how dark the metaphorical night gets, the light eventually pierces through. The album also benefits from the backing of the boygenius, who was involved with the production.
DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS – Bad Bunny
The latest album by the international star is by far his most political dealing with issues such as Puerto Rican independence and gentrification. For example on the tune “Lo Que Pasó a Hawaii”, he sings: “No quiero que pase contigo lo que pasó a Hawaii (I don’t want what happened in Hawaii to happen to you),” a reference to Hawaii becoming increasingly Americanised and losing much of it cultural heritage due to becoming the 50th state. Bad Bunny speaks out against the ruling New Progressive Party, which supports statehood.
Black’!Antique – Pink Siifu
The latest album by the experimental rapper is a compelling embrace of Black culture. It is also a thoughtful critique of the Black experience in America.
Lower – Benjamin Booker
The latest genre bending album by the singer-songwriter is the perfect intersecting of the personal and political. On the album opener “Black Opps,” Booker explores the history of the U.S. government’s covert operations to undermine African American liberation. He is also not afraid to be provocative as evidence by the track “Rebecca Latimer Felton Takes a BBC,” which references the first woman and last slaveowner to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Never Exhale – DITZ
The sophomore album by the UK post-punk band blends abrasive guitar riffs with introspective lyrics. There is an intersecting of the personal and political, exploring themes such as personal struggle, societal expectations, and the pressures of modern life.
From The Ashes – David Rovics
This is another album from the prolific singer-songwriter and activist. It features 10 songs that Rovics wrote over the past 3 months. The topical tunes include subjects such as the genocide in Gaza, the Amsterdam riots, the Los Angeles wildfires, and Trump 2.0.
Keep Planting Flowers – Stick To Your Guns
The latest album by the veteran metalcore band blends bleak realities with a sense of hope, pleading with their listeners to “keep planting flowers”.
Tails of Dogs – Rocers
I am unable to find much info on this experimental rock band. Still, the album heavily delves into political issues, exploring the metaphor of how society is like a dog chasing its tail.
Wars Within Wars – namebuddha x Time
The title of this collaborative album by the two underground hip-hop artists was taken from the phrase “wars within wars” by Ralph Ellison. The album delves into anti-colonial timelines and pro-liberation themes.
Out of Bounds – Dani Exxtacy
Unable to find too much info on the Puerto Rican hip-hop artist, but the following is directly from the Bandcamp album’s page: “FUCK THE INDUSTRY STAY OUT OF BOUNDS” IS THE ULTIMATE ALBUM TO BURN THE SYSTEM DOWN TO A CRISP!! FEATURING SUCH CLASSICS AS “SAMPLEFLIPPER” AND “I’M NOTHING LIKE YALL”. PLAY THIS ALBUM FRONT TO BACK TO SCARE OFF NAZIS, RACISTS, AND OTHER OBSCURE FORMS OF FASCISM. NO OPPRESSION ALLOWED ON MY WATCH, HA HA HA.”
Depois Que a Água Baixou – Babidi
This album by the Brazilian beatmaker is a concept album built around a dystopian world affected by flooding (which is a reality in that part of the world).
Waiting on the World to Burn – Retribution
Asked about the title track of the American hardcore band’s new album, they stated: “To recognise the bad in this world is something we should all do. But it seems like more and more the powers that be will stop at nothing to destroy it. At some point we have to step back and watch the fireworks go off as they continue to obliterate each other in the name of profit and power.”
Raw Home Truths – Judge Kane
The following album by the indie singer-songwriter includes three protest songs “Let My People Go (the Oligarchy Song)”, “God’s Watching U” and “Manifest Destiny”.
MIXTAPES FOR GAZA – RSD
This fundraising album by English dub reggae record label RSD features “five hours of music for a very modest price”.
Also, check out the ongoing playlist featuring 2025 protest music.