Here is your weekly sample of recently released socially conscious music.
Songs and Videos:
Gacked on Anger – Amyl and the Sniffers
The Aussie punk quartet just released their full-length self-titled debut. The album isn’t overly political, but “Gacked on Anger” is a righteous 70s inspired anthem of disenfranchisement.
Notable lyrics: “I wanna help out the people on the street/But how can I help them when I can’t afford to eat.”
Richey v. Alabama – Chika
Over the past week, the new restrictive abortions laws that passed in Alabama and other States have dominated the news cycle. One artist who chose to respond was Alabama rapper Chika who debuted a new tune “Richey v. Alabama” during her TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
During the interview segment with guest host Lena Waithe, Chika explained the motivation behind the song: “I wrote a song and it’s entitled ‘Richey v. Alabama’… we all know what’s going on in Alabama right now and I’m from Alabama, so I felt like with this opportunity and the way that it lined up it would make so much sense for me to come one here and speak for people who otherwise feel voiceless. Richey is the last name of one of my friends, who has such a powerful story when it comes to what’s going on in Alabama, I felt like this would be a proper tribute to her. And also a proper tribute to all women in Alabama, all people in Alabama with wombs who are able to carry children and I felt like this is my time to speak for us.”
Play God – Ani DiFranco and her daughter Petah
With the recent discussions over women’s reproductive rights, it is appropriate that DiFranco recently posted a video of her performing the pro-choice tune “Play God.” The song originally appeared on her 2017 album Binary. It also features vocal contributions from her daughter Petah.
Malibu Barbie – Miya Folick
“Malibu Barbie” is Folick’s first new music since her 2018 debut album Premonitions. The tune is a compelling commentary on the media’s beauty standards and how society tries to fit women into a certain mold.
In a series of tweets, Folick made the following synopsis on the track’s genesis: “I grew up with an absence of beauty language. My mom never spoke of being pretty, or being ugly, or needing to lose weight. I think the absence created a vacuum. When the language introduced itself, I sucked it in and let those words fill every nook and cranny of my brain. Until my every thought and feeling was soaked in it. This beauty language. So I hope you can understand that I didn’t have a choice. I had to kill it.”
Albums:
Turbulent Times – Hundred Watt Heart
Hundred Watt Heart is the side project of “Captain” Kirk Douglas, the guitarist for The Roots. The album is a collection of 8 songs which features heavy riffs, soulful vocals and socially conscious lyrics.
Cut and Stitch – Petrol Girls
The UK feminist punk band’s sophomore album balances the band’s trademark rage with increased vulnerability. Themes of what feminism means are explored not just from a women perspective, but because half of the quartet is male it also examines what feminism means for men.
We Get By – Mavis Staples
The latest album by the legendary vocal powerhouse is a timeless masterpiece. Aided by the expert songwriting and production of Ben Harper, Staples proves that she is still an essential voice in singing out against injustices.
Previously featured “Change” as a Daily Dose of Protest.