Here is a summary of the notable socially conscious music released throughout the month.
Songs/Videos:
Lula Wiles – In Dreams
This is the latest track of the Americana’s trio upcoming album Shame and Sedition, out May 21. Trio member Mali Obomsawin, a citizen of the Abenaki Nation, notes that “In Dreams” is dedicated to “all people fighting colonial oppression around the world.”
The track “Television” was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Rosanne Cash – The Killing Fields
This haunting ballad examines America’s dark history of lynching. Cash made the following statement concerning the tune: “A few years of my own personal reckoning with painful issues of race, racism, privilege, reconciliation, and individual responsibility led up to the moment in the summer of 2020, when finally no one could avert their eyes from the truth of white privilege in America, and the damage and sorrow caused by systemic racism. I wrote ‘The Killing Fields’ in that summer,”
Prince – Welcome 2 America
This is the title track from an album that Prince recorded in 2010, but ended up being stored in his extensive vault. The album will now be released on July 30. “The world is fraught with misin4mation. George Orwell’s vision of the future is here. We need 2 remain steadfast in faith in the trying times ahead,” Prince said in 2010 in a statement shared by the Estate.
McKinley Dixon – Chain Sooo Heavy
This is the third single released from Dixon’s upcoming album For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her out May 7th. Dixon made the following statement concerning the tune: ” “Chain Sooo Heavy” is my view on the commodification of the black experience by an outside audience. The way that trauma can be made palatable and marketable without consent and how because of capitalism, it’s hard to escape the consolidating parts of you for an audience. It’s a self-reflection on how I’m susceptible to that.”
McKinley Dixon – Bless The Child
Speaking of Dixon, this is the latest single and video from the upcoming album. Dixon made the following statement about the song: “Loosely named after Toni Morrison’s novel God Help the Child, this song is probably a direct relay of me trying to do time travel through processing out loud. Broken up into three sections with three beat switches: The beginning of the song revolves around memories I had with a loved one who passed away abruptly. The bridge revolves around the present, a very conflicted and loud spiral moment with myself questioning my intentions. And it ends with me thinking about what I’m going to do in the future to rectify these feelings I’ve had.”
Sons of Kemet – To Never Forget The Source
The latest song by the British jazz quintet is off their upcoming album Black to the Future out May 14. In a press release, saxophonist and bandleader Shabaka Hutchings made the following statement about the tune: “The Source refers to the principles which govern traditional African cosmologies/ontological outlooks and symbolizes the inner journey. It is the unifying factor that gives meaning both to looking backwards (in nuancing and continually adding depth of contextualization and meaning to the past) and visioning forward (in speculating and striving to realize a better future for humanity).”
mr?e, 4.I.S, Nyquest & jerryfromthearea – Grand Theft Liberal
This political thesis of the follies of trickle-down economics is by a collective of Sydney, Australia-based hip-hop and electropunk artists who create beats and protest music with an intent to promote social change. They made the following statement in the song’s press release: “Grand Theft Liberal is a scathing hip-hop account of the many failings of rightwing neo-liberal economic gambles in Australia. From mining busts to scandalous rorts it’s all been tied together with one catchy chorus and beat. As the saying goes “absolute power corrupts absolutely” and modern democracy has delved into a place full of gangsters and corruption, and what better material do you need to drop lyrical truth bombs.”
Also, had the opportunity to interview mr?e for a future episode of the Ongoing History of Protest Music Podcast which will be posted on May 10th.
The HIRS Collective – Love,
This is the first single off the collective’s upcoming album The Third 100 Songs out June 25. Collective member Jenna Pup made the following statement concerning the tune: “We are a collective of freaks, faggots, friends, lovers, and favorites that will never stop existing. infinite and never ending. No one is going to kill us, we are going to live forever. And the first single ‘Love,’ is about us celebrating our existence and being excited to share love.”
Jump-start Your Heart – Miss Christine
This recently released video was recorded six months before the pandemic, but its extensive use of medical imagery, such as surgical masks, resonates in light of the pandemic. “Little did I know what was about to happen at the time it was filmed,” Leadsinger, songwriter and bassist Christine Moad said. “It just seems like life has become a bad dream that we’re all living through, and the music video is literally about a bad dream.”
Previously interviewed Christine Moad of Miss Christine for Episode 25 of The Ongoing History of Protest Music podcast.
Albums:
Godpeed 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 goverment. 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.
Kishi Bashi – Emigrant EP
This EP is the follow-up to his exceptional 2019 album Omoiyari (which one of the best protest albums of 2019 and 2010s). Similarly, to his previous release, it does touch upon the history of colonial oppression. The songs also resonate with the pandemic, especially the poignant cover of Regina Spektor’s “Laughing With.”
Evan Greer – Spotify Is Surveillance
The latest album by the singer-songwriter and activist was reviewed on the site. The album track “The Tyranny of Either/Or,” was also featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
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.
Also had an opportunity to interview Time about his music and journalism, which includes working with Common and Noam Chomsky, for the Ongoing History of Protest Music podcast. That episode will be published on May 3rd.
Rhiannon Giddens & Francesco Turrisi – They’re Calling Me Home
Not explicitly political, but this powerful album addresses themes of longing for home and mortality, which resonate in the pandemic.
Damon Locks, Black Monument Ensemble – NOW
Following up the excellent 2019 album Where Future Unfolds, the sophomore album by this ensemble formed by Locks is also an empowering work of protest art. The music was recorded during the summer of 2020, which was a period of social upheaval.
Burning Flag – Matador
The third album by the UK hardcore punk band is a scathing indictment of political, religious, and economic corruption.
Jean-Michel Jarre -Amazonia
The latest album by the 72-year-old French electronic pioneer deals with the environmental damage of the Amazon rainforest. It also effectively employs testimonials from indigenous people.
Todd Snider – First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder
The latest album by the veteran underappreciated singer-songwriter features his sharp social observations. He addresses social ills such as climate change, 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.
Rudimentary Peni – Great War
After a long hiatus, the veteran UK anarcho-punk released an album based on the WWI poetry of Wilfred Owen. The songs were recorded between 2009-2013. “I felt World War I was sadly perfect for what we do,” said singer Nick Blinko. “It’s long been deeply associated with madness.”
Below is the ongoing playlist of 2021 protest songs.