Due to health issues, I haven’t been posting on the site as much as I like. But I still have had the opportunity to discover many notable protest albums during the past year. Here is a list of 40 socially conscious albums worth listening to.
Adeem the Artist – Cast Iron Pansexual
Adeem the Artist is a non-binary country singer who writes about subjects not generally dealt with in country music. The album deals with sexual identity, decries capitalism, religious hypocrisy, and critiques Toby Keith for his toxic patriotism.
Amyl and the Sniffers – Comfort To Me
The ferocious Australian punk band tackles issues such as capitalism, sexual assault, and the struggle between apathy and activism.
Big $ilky – Big $ilky Vol. 3
The rap duo’s 3rd EP is a no-holds-barred attack on sexual predators, fake allies, and corrupt politicians.
Jackson Browne – Downhill from Everywhere
The veteran singer-songwriter’s first album since 2014 is a well-balanced mix of the personal and political. Poignant topical tunes address topics such as environmental issues (the title track) and immigration (“The Dreamer”).
Common – A Beautiful Revolution (Pt 2)
The sequel to the veteran rapper’s 2020 politically-charged EP contains a galvanizing message of unity and celebration of black culture. It balances a sense of optimism with a candid acknowledgment of continued struggle.
Damon Locks, Black Monument Ensemble – NOW
According to Locks, the album was composed in the summer of 2020 “following months of pandemic-induced fear and isolation, the explosion of social unrest, struggle, and violence in the streets, and as the certain presence of a new reality had fully settled in.”
The album powerfully blends music with samples to create a powerful listening experience.
Divide and Dissolve – Gas Lit
The Australian metal duo makes music with the aim to help dismantle the white supremacist colonial power structure. Their latest album is a potent weapon in accomplishing that objective, fighting for Indigenous Sovereignty, and Black and Indigenous Liberation,
McKinley Dixon – For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her
A powerful album about processing Black trauma and moving forward.
Drinking Boys and Girls Choir – Marriage License
The sophomore album by the South Korean punk band is a mix of energetic music and insight socially conscious. The album features a powerful anti-discrimination, support of same-sex marriage, and commentary on the Nth Room Case.
Georgia English – Pain and Power
This collection of tunes could be considered a musical journal that chronicles English’s experiences of overcoming trauma. It also includes a companion illustrative book that is meant to complement the tunes’ weighty messages. This collection of songs is a prime example of how the personal often intersects with the political.
Along with the individual experiences, English also includes insights on collective healing and pointed social commentary. This includes the tracks “America,” “Who” and “Statue of Jesus” which examine America’s systemic ills.
Previously featured “Who” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor – G_d’s Pee AT STATES END!
The seventh album by the Canadian experimental music group features their uncompromising music, which also addresses the failure of the government. Along with the album release, the band included the following lists of demands:
- empty the prisons
- take power from the police and give it to the neighbourhoods that they terrorise.
- end the forever wars and all other forms of imperialism.
- tax the rich until they’re impoverished.
Evan Greer – Spotify Is Surveillance
The latest album by activist and singer-songwriter is an extension of the work she does as deputy director of Fight For the Future, a nonprofit that campaigns for digital and privacy rights and challenges internet censorship.
Greer made the following statement about the album; “I titled the album Spotify Is Surveillance not because every single song is a diatribe about surveillance capitalism or current politics, but because it’s a way to raise these issues every time someone clicks play, even if it’s just on a love song or a song about missing shows.”
Previously reviewed the album on this site and featured the album track “The Tyranny of Either/Or” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
The Halluci Nation – One More Saturday Night
Formerly known as A Tribe Called Red, this Canadian Indigenous EDM act has pioneered a sound that they refer to as electric-pow-wow. Along with making music to move the body, they continue to shine a spotlight on Indigenous issues.
Haviah Mighty – Stock Exchange
The latest effort by the Canadian rapper explores the global pandemic, unemployment, and systemic racism.
Irreversible Entanglements – Open The Gates
The third effort by the free jazz ensemble features exhilarating music and the potent poetry of Camae Ayewa (aka Moor Mother). The album is a poignant examination of post-colonialism.
Jesse Jett – Inauguration Gift
Jett released one of the best protest albums of 2020, with the epic 24 track, 90-minute political concept album The Virus. He followed that up with the more concise Inauguration Gift which features 13 tracks at 45 minutes. Appropriately it was released on inauguration day. Despite the shorter duration, it may even pack more of a direct political punch than its predecessor.
Femi Kuti and Made Kuti – Legacy +
The legacy of legendary activist and Afrobeat originator, Fela Kuti is carried on by his son Femi and grandson Made. Legacy + is a double album featuring Stop The Hate the 11th album by Femi and For(e)ward the debut album of Made. Just like Fela, the two albums mix poignant political commentary with infectious beats.
Amythyst Kiah – Wary + Strange
The latest album by the roots singer is an insightful examination of the challenges of being a Black LGBTQ+ woman in the South. The album includes a reworking of “Black Myself” a tune she originally composed and recorded as part of Our Native Daughters on their excellent 2019 album Songs Of Our Native Daughter.
Nick Lutsko – Songs On The Computer and More Songs On The Computer
Cheating a bit by including two albums, but both feature hilarious and catchy political satire.
Lula Wiles – Shame and Sedition
The motivation behind the latest album by the Americana trio is highlighted in the following press statement: “Each song grew from personal revelations or yearning for collective reckoning, materializing into proclamations against powerful oligarchs, toxic relationships, media narratives, and the callousness capitalism demands.”
Previously featured album track “Television” as a Daily Dose of Protest. Also had the opportunity to interview Isa Burke and Mali Obomosawin for the Ongoing History of Protest Music podcast.
Miko Marks & The Resurrectors – Our Country
This is Marks’ first album in 14 years. She took a hiatus, disillusioned over a scene that was inhospitable to black women. Our Country is a powerful title because it can refer to either the genre of music or the country of America. In both scenarios, Marks is making a powerful statement of belonging.
Ministry – Moral Hygiene
The latest release by the industrial metal band is an aggressive takedown of fascism, political corruption, and greed.
Moor Mother – Black Encyclopedia of the Air
The prolific spoken word and experimental noise artist continue to make uncompromising and politically charged music. This may be her most accessible album musically, but the music and lyrics still pack a lot of punch, taking on oppressive ideologies.
Tom Morello – The Atlas Underground Fire
On this album, Tom Morello’s distinctive guitar playing and radical politics feature an eclectic array of collaborators including Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, grandson, Mike Posner, Damian Marley, phem, Protohype, Chris Stapleton, Bring Me The Horizon, and Dennis Lyxzén of Refused. He also released the follow-up The Atlas Underground Flood towards the end of 2021, which is also worth checking out.
Chris Pierce – American Silence
This galvanizing collection of folk protest tunes was intentionally released to correspond with Black History Month. Not only does it contain powerful themes of Black empowerment, but it is a pointed reminder to potential white allies that support can’t be silent and passive.
Previously featured “It’s Been Burning for a While” as a Daily Dose of Protest. Also had the opportunity to interview Pierce for the Ongoing History of Protest Music podcast.
Rise Against – Nowhere Generation
Two decades into their career, the veteran punk band is as political as ever. The album opens with a snippet of the socialist protest anthem “L’Internationale” which is a fitting indicator of intent.
David Rovics – Rebel Songs (Free the Imagination)
The veteran activist and singer-songwriter continue to be prolific releasing two albums in 2021. Rebel Songs is an appropriate title for this album, with explicitly political songs addressing both past histories and current events.
Allison Russell – Outside Child
The latest album by the rootsy Canadian singer-songwriter is a prime example of the person being political. Russell made the following statement about the album, “is about resilience, survival, transcendence, the redemptive power of art, community, connection, and chosen family.”
Sault – Nine
The mysterious socially conscious UK collective latest album was only available on streaming platforms for 99 days. At the time of this writing, it was still available on YouTube. Like previous albums, it explores themes such as police brutality and systemic racism.
Peggy Seeger – First Farewell
The 24th solo and likely final album by the influential folk-singer is a fitting testament to an artist who has long used her voice to address social issues.
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson – Theory Of Ice
Simpson is an acclaimed novelist, poet, scholar, and singer who is also a member of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg people, native to southern Ontario, Canada.
One of the prominent themes of Theory Of Ice is climate change. For instance, the opening track “Break Up” features the poignant lyrics “There is euphotic rising and falling. Orbits of dispossession and reattachment. Achieving maximum density: 39 degrees Fahrenheit.” Another example is “Failure Of Melting”: (“The caribou sit measuring emptiness. The fish study giving up).
The album’s standout is her potent reworking of Willie Dunn’s “I Pity The Country.”
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – Life After
On the Indigenous Canadian rap duo’s 4th album, they continue their trend of releasing music that blends banging beats with pointed political commentary.
Sons of Kemet – Black to the Future
The album touches upon certain aspects of the black experience. The album effectively reflects upon the past while providing a galvanizing message to move ahead in the future. It is music that successfully engages the mind, heart, and body.
Time, Maudlin Magpie & A Thousand Vows – Nighthawks At McCoys
This album is a collaboration between socially conscious rapper Time, folk singer Maudlin Magpie, and the German-based producer A Thousand Vows. It is a concept album about a diner that is a portal to dimensions of clarity where ruthless capitalism, alienation, depression, and mortality can be seen more clearly. The premise provides an effective base for exploring important issues.
I had the opportunity to interview Time for the Ongoing History of Protest Music podcast.
Territorital – Tlaxihuiqui
The latest release from Die Jim Crow, a non-profit record label for current and formerly incarcerated musicians. Opening in 1871, Territorial Correctional Facility is the oldest prison in Colorado. This powerful recording features music from 7 different inmates and deals with themes of remorse and redemption.
Th1rt3en – A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism
The debut album by the rap-rock project of influential underground rapper Pharoahe Monch is an explosive collection of tunes dealing with the need to exorcise the systemic evils which continue to haunt society.
“Cult 45” off the album was previously featured as a daily dose of protest.
tune-yards – sketchy
The fifth album by the indie-pop band has the blend of musical quirks and social commentary that they are known for. It touches upon issues such as gender dysphoria, abortion rights, climate change, and gentrification.
The Weather Station – Ignorance
The fifth album by the Canadian folk act explores issues such as climate change and the ills of capitalism.
Witch Camp (Ghana) – I’ve Forgotten Now Who I Used to Be
I’ve Forgotten Now Who I Used to Be is an important archival project that collects field recordings made at Ghana’s infamous witch camps. Witch camps are settlements where women accused of witchcraft can seek refuge. Those persecuted as witches often suffer from mental health issues and physical ailments. Others are shunned as a ploy to steal their land after their husband’s passing. The album is an important project in preserving overlooked cultures and elevating the voices of those who are often overlooked and voiceless.
Adrian Younge – The American Negro
This powerful album explores America’s long history of systemic racism and the relationship between black and white America.
Also, check out the playlist of 2021 protest songs featuring music featured on the website, including tunes from the albums on this list.
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