Songs:
Pyramid Scheme – Hurray For The Riff Raff
This is the latest single and video by the project of Alynda Segarra (her last album, The Past Is Still Alive was one of the best protest albums of 2024). The lyrics explore the perils of internet culture, and it conveys the spirit of resilience that they are known for.
Albums:
Middle – Jesse Welles
This is the latest album by the prolific singer-songwriter (whose 2024 album Helles Belles was one of the best 2024 albums of the year). The album is jam-packed with witty political satire. One of the album’s highlights is the Gaza-referencing tune “War Is A God,” which indicts the ridiculousness of fighting wars in the name of religion.
I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU (DIRECTOR’S CUT) – JPEGMAFIA
This is the expanded edition of the experimental rapper’s 2024 album (one of the best of the year), which includes a revamped track listing.
Tears of Injustice – Mdou Moctar
This is the acoustic version of the Niger’s band 2024 album Funeral For Justice (also one of the best albums of 2024).
Armageddon in a Summer Dress – Sunny War
The latest album by the singer-songwriter features her trademarked blend of anarcho-punk and Americana. The album is a mix of the personal and political and features incisive social commentary on fascism, racist cops, and the Gaza War. The album does include several notable contributors, including Steve Ignorant of pioneering anarcho-punk pioneers Crass.
People Watching – Sam Fender
This poppy Springsteen-esque album by the UK singer-songwriter not only has vocal similarities to The Boss but it also features social commentary on the plight of the common man, such as on the tune “Crumbling Empire”(“My old man worked on the rail yard, getting his trade on the electrical board. It got privatised, the work degraded, in this crumbling empire. My mother delivered most the kids in this town. my step-dad drove in a tank for the crown. They left them homeless, down and out, in their crumbling empire”).
Middle Spoon – Cheekface
This album by prolific indie rock band (their 2024 album It’s Sorted was one of the best albums of 2024) is a mix of their trademarked quirky brilliance and witty satirical critiques. The songs are also influenced by the personal experiences, such as “Living Lo-Fi,” a commentary on the sad state of the American health care (“Are you living lo-fi? Are you living with some chronic pain? Are you using frozen food as medical first aid? Are you calling total bullshit on the welfare state?”), which band member Greg Katz was confronted with when his dad had a stroke.
List of Demands – Damon Locks
The 4th album by the experimental jazz artist (who was previously the lead singer of the post-hardcore band Trenchmouth). It effectively blends sound collage and spoken word to explores themes of Black liberation.
Cowards – Squid
The 3rd album by the UK post-punk band examines the inherent evil of human nature. Climate apathy is another prominent theme explored on the album. on their new LP, which focuses on the banal evil of human nature. “The future’s perfect,” they sing on its closing track, “from the back seat.”
Hands In The Air! – Told Not To Worry
A blistering 8 songs in under 11 minutes, the debut album (?) by the Emoviolence band covers everything from genocide to transphobia.
City Of Clowns – Marie Davidson
The 6th album by the French Canadian electronic artist is a dystopic critique of surveillance capitalism.
Amor de encava – Weed420
This album by the Latin electronic act is supposed to simulate the experience of a bus ride in Venezuela. Through sound collage, it creates a chaotic but somewhat compelling feel. The album also touches upon social issues and closes with a track entitled “PROPAGANDA”.
Critical Thinking – Manic Street Preachers
The latest album by the veteran UK rock band features the socio-political commentary that the band is known for. Also, the album’s highlight is “Dear Stephen”, a plea to the former The Smiths’ frontman to abandon his right-wing bigotry.
Stress Test – Stress Test
The self-titled debut by the Portland-based crust punks expresses their disdain for religious fundamentalists, killer cops, and fascists. With 11 tracks clocking in under 18 minutes, it is a blitzkrieg attack of righteous indignation.
Destination Addiction – Confess
This is the latest album by the Iranian metal band, which had to flee to Norway after being imprisoned for their music. On the album’s Bandcamp page, it states: “This album isn’t just music; it’s a statement on the chaotic world we live in, from the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran to the wars raging in the Middle East and Europe, “Destination Addiction” delves into the darkness of our shared human experience and the violent political and social upheavals such as terrorism and racism we witness globally.”
Satisfied Soul – Brother Ali
The latest album by the veteran socially conscious MC finds him collaborating with Atmosphere producer Ant. On the opening title track, the “poet warrior” takes aim at “the wicked conqueror, the crooked officer, blood shedders, bank tellers, and mischief makers, space invaders and slave purveyors.”
Make the Planet Earth Great Again – David Rovics
The prolific singer-songwriter and activist never goes long without releasing an album (already 2nd this year). It includes tunes that he has written over the past 20 years, with the most recent songs dealing with the genocide in Gaza.
Their System Won’t Be Fixed – End State
This explosive 3 song EP doesn’t take long to express their scorn at systemic corruption.
Hegemony – Möney
Described as a “mad mix of The Cure and Christian Death—with some Crass for good measure,” the 6th EP expresses the gloom that comes from living in a capitalistic and hegemonious society.
Endless War, Endless Peace – Hour of Reprisal
According to the hardcore band’s Bandcamp page, they are the “only ever Straight Edge Band” to come from Norwich, England. Not sure if there is a way to verify that, but I can verify that this 6 song EP rages hard against the corporate war machine, which puts bloodstain profits ahead of human life. They also hate transphobes and cops.
Also checkout the ongoing playlist of 2025 protest music.