Browsing Tag

Political Rock

Does Politics Have a Place in Music in 2024?

Politics in Music

As we step into 2024, the question of whether politics belongs in music remains as pertinent as ever. Music, an art form that transcends boundaries and speaks the universal language of emotion, has often been a vessel for political expression. From the soul-stirring melodies of folk to the rebellious chords of punk, music has not just mirrored but also shaped societal narratives.

But in a society more bitterly divided than ever with people clinging to the extreme ends of the political spectrum with increasingly partisan views, is it the right move for your music career to be candid with your political beliefs? No one can answer that question for you. Each artist has their own agenda. But with the considerations outlined below, you will hopefully see that societal regression is an inevitable symptom of inhibition of expression.

There is certainly an argument that music should be an escape from the dystopia that is closing in around us, but if you are biting your lyrical tongue to appease as many people as possible, it may be time to bite the political bullet and start to speak for the marginalised and voiceless.

The Role of Artists in Challenging Oppressive Structures

History is replete with artists who have used their platform to challenge oppressive political structures. Their music becomes a rallying cry, a beacon of hope and solidarity. In oppressive regimes, where voices are stifled, music becomes the unquenchable flame of resistance. It’s not just about creating art; it’s about creating change.

If you are an independent artist, you may not be able to start a revolution with your next single, but the ripple effect of liberating music can at least spark some resistance.

Authenticity vs. Appeasement: The Cost of Political Expression

Incorporating politics in music can be a double-edged sword. Artists risk alienating fans whose beliefs diverge from the message conveyed. However, the pursuit of universal appeasement often leads to bland, meaningless art. True artistic expression demands authenticity, even at the cost of popularity. It’s a testament to the artist’s integrity, choosing significance over safety.

In the digital era of music when music can feel like a popularity contest with the focus on how many listeners tune into your music on Spotify monthly and you get booked for gigs based on your Instagram followers, anything that threatens to diminish your follower count is enough to strike fear, but if you want to spend your entire career pussyfooting around the people who want to sedately suck the cocks of GB News presenters before parroting ‘go woke, go broke’ at anyone with a conscience and a voice, go ahead.

There is always the risk of facing the same backlash which saw the Dixie Chicks fall from grace in 2003 when Natalie Maines commented on the US invasion of Iraq, which saw radio stations boycotting their music and sponsors boycotting them. Yet, if you’re so inclined to be a populist, you may as well have moved into politics instead of the music industry.

The Revolutionary Echoes of Genre Pioneers

The annals of music history are marked by pioneers who were brave enough to carry the torch of political expression. Hip-hop became a catalyst for collective resistance. Rock became a rallying cry against economic stagnation. Punk became a rejection of fascism.

These genres have always been more than just music; they’ve been movements, challenging norms and igniting societal change. Their creators weren’t just musicians. They were revolutionaries whose notes were as potent as any speech.

Culture propels matters into public discourse, prompting us to reconsider our perspectives on the world. Pivotal cultural events often lay the groundwork for shifts in politics and policy-making.

The Sleaford Mods Controversy: A Reflection of Expectations

If you are thinking that silence on key issues is the key to success, the recent controversy surrounding Sleaford Mods, who faced backlash for not expressing their views on Palestine, underscores a critical aspect of music and politics. It highlights the expectations placed on artists to use their platform for political discourse.

This incident, which saw Sleaford Mods storm off stage after a Palestinian flag was thrown at their feet, reflects the evolving relationship between artists, their art, and their audience in the realm of political expression.

The Irony of Political Ignorance

Remember how in 2020 it only just dawned on some music fans that Rage Against the Machine is a political band? Well, there’s been an even more absurd instance of music fans being politically tone-deaf. When Green Day played their 2004 hit, American Idiot, during an NYE show on ABC and changed the lyrics to “I’m not a part of the MAGA agenda”, people were shocked at the twist to the single that has ALWAYS been underpinned by political angst.

Both of these instances are stark reminders of how music can be consumed without comprehending its deeper messages. Are these the kinds of mind-numbed fans you want to appease by refraining from including political messages in your music? The kinds of people who love to hate far more than they love to adore? The kinds of people who look for any hint that the world is descending into ‘woke madness’ because you don’t share their views? The people who throw the oppressed under the bus because they can’t come to terms with the real reasons behind their shortcomings so they foam at the mouths like pedant toddlers screeching because they’re not being pandered to by everyone, all of the time?

Conclusion: The Inextricable Link Between Music and Politics

In conclusion, the question isn’t whether politics belongs in music in 2024, but rather how it manifests. Music has always been a reflection of the times, a voice for the voiceless, and a tool for change. As long as there are stories to be told and injustices to be challenged, politics will find its rhythm in the heart of music. The true essence of music lies in its ability to speak truth to power, to challenge, and to inspire.

If you have a political or a protestive track you would like to promote, submit music to our indie music blog for a review or use our artist interview service to give your fans and our readers an inside view into the inspiration behind your latest release.

 

Article by Amelia Vandergast

OCEANS OF TEARS – All Our Children Are Dying: NO MORE WARS – GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

OCEANS OF TEARS mused on the ugliest facets of humanity to bring beauty back into the human condition with their latest socially and politically conscious single, All Our Children Are Dying: NO MORE WARS – GIVE PEACE A CHANCE.

The song, a brainchild of Steve W. Boily, echoes the ethos of U2 and Sting, while its sound takes a nostalgic turn towards 80s synth-rock, reminiscent of The Human League and Tears for Fears. The song’s arrangement and production are meticulously crafted, with each element serving the greater purpose of the message.

The nostalgia within the sonics amplifies the poignant urgency of the lyrical messaging; it rekindles memories of less tumultuous times, reminding of the necessity to protect our immediate future, and the days only the future generations will see. By addressing the dire consequences of war and the desperate need for peace, the message transcends language barriers, as evidenced by the translation of the single into over 30 languages.

OCEANS OF TEARS’ commitment to producing music that is provocative and emotionally resonant is evident in this single. This track is a call to action, urging listeners worldwide to advocate for peace and end the senseless cycle of war. By sharing this message through music, OCEANS OF TEARS hopes to influence hearts and minds, encouraging a collective movement towards a more peaceful world.

To feel the full weight of All Our Children Are Dying: NO MORE WARS – GIVE PEACE A CHANCE, stream the official music video which premiered on November 23 on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cosmic Order proved resistance isn’t futile in his outcry of an anthem, Warfare

With a music video that unravels with the same kind of dystopic aesthetic narrative as an Adam Curtis documentary and a definitively cataclysmic atmosphere created by the alt-rock instrumentals, the latest release from Cosmic Order is an eye-opening testament to the constructs of society that are rotten at their core and spreading hate through the masses.

In a bid to transcend the tragedy of the world through spirituality, art, and music, the one-man powerhouse which is Cosmic Order has succeeded in its mission of infusing hope and resilience into the human condition. On the basis of their latest single, Warfare, it is safe to say they’ve succeeded.

The vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, engineer, producer and performer Angelo Silvio DiPippo uses his juxtaposing life experiences, which have taken him from war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan to the raw beauty of the Sicilian countryside and pours them into the grounding gravitas of his work. Just as George Orwell saw it all before dedicating his life to overcoming tyranny, Cosmic Order is smashing through the bedrock of oppression with his discography.

While I can’t say I agree that androgyny and queerness are signs of end times and would contest that the moral trans panic is a far greater societal sin, the other points of contention in the outcry of a rock anthem are right on the money that the masses will never see if the space race billionaires continue to have their way.

Stream Warfare on YouTube now and discover more about Cosmic Order via the official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

WD-HAN drove their listeners towards progressive action and revolution in ‘Something’s Gotta Change’

In this year alone the LA-hailing rock outfit, WD-HAN, has riffed right across the rock spectrum with their diverse discography. With their latest single, Something’s Gotta Change, the chameleonic powerhouse turned their vitriol towards political punk-rock to deliver a viscerally empowering hit. If any single has what it takes to spark an anarchist revolution, it’s Something’s Gotta Change.

Starting the hit with the sobering fact that more people are enslaved today than ever in history was an efficacious way for WD-HAN to drive their listener’s compulsions toward progressive action. The collective rise in individualism and apathy created the perfect storm for oppression; we’ve sat back and watched how the marginalised have been attacked – it is only a matter of time before injustice meets everyone who can’t afford to escape into space.

Believing that the issue of human trafficking deserves attention resulted in the release of one of the most impactful anthems we’ve heard this year. The track was created in support of the Foundation for a Slavery-Free World and Operation Underground Railroad. 

Something’s Gotta Change was officially released on August 11th; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Give me fuel, give me DeadFire’s latest single, Pro[Pain]

It was over a year ago when we last heard the premier sleaze rock raconteurs, DeadFire, with their on the pulse hit, Anxiety Society; they’ve worn their societal consciousness on their sleeves once more with their latest single, Pro[Pain]. As democracy dies, no one will be able to hear the cries from the disenfranchised masses over their juggernautical stormer of heavy-hitting rock.

DeadFire picked up all the slack left behind by other UK rock and metal acts that are still letting their egos write their songs. Pro[Pain] is the ultimate slice of sonically monolithic vindication for anyone left reeling by a reality that is quickly becoming defined by greed and exploitation. The next time you feel like checking out of political protest, join the riff-heavy powerhouse at the helm of rebellion by tearing up your speakers with Pro[Pain]. It is enough to make you wonder what Metallica tracks would sound like if Hetfield had an ounce of relatability about him.

Pro[Pain] will be available to stream on Spotify from April 28.

Follow DeadFire via Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

It’s the end of the world as we know it, and The Star Prairie Project refuse to let it go quietly in their classic rock lament, Visions of War

The last time we heard The Star Prairie Project, they were serenading us through their rock ballad, Queen Isabella. Today, they are here with their aptly dark classic rock forewarning of a bomb-blistered destitute future, Visions of War.

With testaments of how visions of war pierce through the subconscious veil and perturb our dreams, it is a striking account of how plagued by the weight of the world we are. No matter how much we try to cast our gaze away from the screens which burn fear into our psyches.

It almost felt sacrilegious to appreciate the sheer ingenuity on offer here. But in the same breath, it is a stunning reminder that no matter how disparate the world gets as it amps up the chaos with every turn, humans are just as capable of fucking BEAUTIFUL things. And the tragedies falling like dominoes all around us are a crying shame of potential.

Here’s what The Star Prairie Project had to say on their latest album:

“Fight or Flight trumpets the fact that the world order as we know it is teetering and crumbling before our eyes. While too many remain oblivious to this fact, there is no denying that human civilization is facing its gravest challenges since World War II. To make matters worse, these challenges are hitting us from all possible directions.

As if we weren’t busy enough dealing with the accelerating climate change, environmental degradation, flora and fauna extinction, we’re also batting political and social discord unforeseen in many western nations … until recently. As the prices of consumer goods and gas are soaring due to the war in Ukraine, the poor become poorer, and the rich become richer. It’s unintentional, but we’re creating a fertile recruiting ground for street gangs and organized crime – the riot squads have never been busier.”

Visions of War is now available to stream on Spotify. Delve in and prepare to be arrested.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Elegant Chasers created a high-IQ-sanctuary in his latest scuzzy alt-rock hit, Clowns

The Elegant Chasers

For anyone that finds themselves frequently in despair over just how deep the IQ-deprived antagonists drag us down into late-stage capitalist suffering, The Elegant Chasers’ latest scuzzy alt-rock single, Clowns, will bring a slight reprieve from the crushing weight.

The harbingering guitar solos, the sense of carnivalesque chaos and the distortedly enigmatic yet hooky alt-rock vocals pull together in the high-voltage protest to the idiocrasy that resounds more than most things these dystopic days. Here’s what The Elegant Chasers had to say about his latest release:

“It’s easy to dwell. To be angry and upset about situations that have conspired against you. To feel cheated. It’s even easier when this has happened more than once. Then paranoia kicks in, those who transpired against you will massage the paranoia and try and blame anyone but the culprits – i.e., themselves. The reality is it’s hard to shake off that feeling. Inevitably time is a healer, but it still feels that justice was never served. Clowns was written in 1st person but taking on the role of The Company Man for most of the song…The Clown! Lyrically I took inspiration from the people that hurt me most in the last 6 years. People who I thought I could trust. But it was just the same old story, just like many of you who have suffered under the corporate kings, rogues, rats, fools, the pretenders, the charlatans, the clowns. Call them what you like, they deliver the same outcome, a stab in the back, and quite often you’re thrown out to the wolves.”

Clowns will officially release on April 22nd. You can check it out for yourselves via Bandcamp and SoundCloud.

Follow The Elegant Chasers via Instagram and Twitter.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

X Wire fan the flames with their politically-charged alt-rock hit ‘World on Fire’

Imagine a world where Rage Against the Machine never existed; it would suck. No one would know how sweet it feels to be adrenalized by being surrounded by strangers all venting their relatable socio-politically inspired angst in a mosh pit. It’s also unlikely that we’d get to hear tracks such as ‘World on Fire’ by the up and coming alt-rock powerhouse, X Wire.

A sequence of depressing news broadcasts serves as the prelude and introduces over-driven guitars, growling bass and Bryce Kelley’s soaring hard rock vocals that are accessible from the first note. X Wire swerved every cliché and established themselves as one to watch. If World on Fire was judged on the guitar solo alone, I do not doubt that X Wire would quickly climb the charts. At the age of 17-years-old, Liam Eastwood already boasts a distinctively original guitar style.

World on Fire is available on apple music, or you can check out the official music video which premiered on November 4th 2020 via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

John Fishell sends Trump on his way with his rhythmically furious Rock Hit “Namaste”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoysLBFdLgs&t=14s

On the same night as the world sat in anticipation of the US election results, I had the pleasure of hitting play on US Rock artist John Fishell’s viscerally fiery, rhythmically furious single “Namaste (On Your Way) which was written as a Rock n Roll send off for Donald Trump.

With clips on Trump’s most odious and ridiculous statements serving as the intro, Namaste is all too efficacious when it comes to making you feel the same contempt which John Fishell holds towards the negligent, pompous, president.

Everyone from fans of The Rolling Stones to fans of Rage Against Machine will enjoy this deeply cathartic feat of scuzzy anthemic America.

You can check out the official music video which dropped on October 27th for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast